The Georgia Bulldogs lost a highly rated member of their 2019 recruiting class Thursday afternoon.

Rashad Cheney Jr., a 4-star defensive tackle prospect in the Class of 2019, de-committed from Georgia on Thursday afternoon, DawgNation’s Jeff Sentell has confirmed.

“Just needed the time to make the right decision,” Cheney said. “This is a life decision.”

Cheney is ranked on the 247Sports composite as the 13th-best defensive tackle prospect in the 2019 class and 22nd-best overall player in the state of Georgia. He plays at Cedar Grove High School in Ellenwood and stands 6-foot-3  and weighs 270 pounds.

“It was a very hard decision,” he said. “No visits had anything to do with my decision. But if UGA still recruits me, I will still give them a look. Penn State and Tennessee are making a big push.”

Even with Cheney’s departure, Georgia’s 2019 class has the makings of another special haul for Kirby Smart and the rest of the coaching staff. It currently ranks as both the No. 1 class in the SEC and in the country with six commits, including three 5-star prospects.