The odds are against UGA beating Alabama and Auburn for an elite in-state prospect from Alabama. But the Bulldogs may have a chance to turn things around with two standout performers from that border state.
Malcolm Askew, a 4-star cornerback from McAdory High School, almost committed to UGA this summer. The Bulldogs are still Askew’s top school.
Receiver Nico Collins is another elite Alabama talent who continues to give UGA a good look. The 4-star from Clay-Chalkville visited UGA on Junior Day this year and returned to Athens for the Louisiana-Monroe game last weekend. He’ll be back for the Alabama game on Oct. 3.
Clay-Chalkville head coach Jerry Hood feels the current UGA staff has the connections to be able to recruit Alabama high school players very well.
“The first thing in Georgia’s favor is having assistant coach (Kevin) Sherrer and (UGA defensive coordinator) Jeremy Pruitt on staff,” Hood told the AJC. “It kind of feels like a homeboy from Alabama is recruiting us. Those are Alabama guys. They understand us and Alabama high school football. Just the way that Georgia is presenting themselves now in recruiting seems to me to be much more kid-friendly now. This approach now will appeal more to the players in this generation.”
Hood also said there’s a comfort level with Pruitt and Sherrer on staff at UGA when it comes to his program. There’s no question other coaches across the state may feel the same way. Both Pruitt and Sherrer were defensive coordinators at Birmingham’s Hoover High School. That program has played for the state title in Alabama’s largest classification every year this century except for 2007.
“We know them and when Kevin or Jeremy is talking to Nico then he can reference that Coach Sherrer and I grew up in the 1950’s together,” Hood said. “If Nico were to ask me if Kevin and Jeremy would take care of them, then I would say yes that I think they would. They can be trusted. Things like that mean a lot to the parents and the kids, too.”
Jeff Sentell covers UGA recruiting for AJC.com and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Follow him on Twitter for the latest on who’s on their way to play Between the Hedges.