The Georgia Bulldogs have added another dynamic linebacker to their recruiting class of 2018.
Quay Walker, the nation’s second-ranked outside linebacker and 4-star prospect, flipped from his Alabama commitment and signed with the Georgia Bulldogs on Wednesday morning.
Walker made the announcement from a ceremony inside the gym at Crisp County High School in Cordele, Ga. He chose the Bulldogs over his previous pledge to the Crimson Tide as well as the Tennessee Volunteers.
In front of all the Crisp County students and with his family behind him, Walker at first picked up the Tennessee hat out of a group that included Georgia, Alabama, and Auburn. He put the Vols hat on, which brought out a full gasp from the whole crowd.
Then he laughed, tossed the orange hat aside, and unzipped his jacket to reveal a Georgia t-shirt, which brought a roar from everyone.
That was the first time anyone at Crisp County knew of his decision, not even his head coach Brad Harber.
“Everybody thought I was gonna go to Tennessee, so I had to do that,” Walker said afterward.
Walker becomes the latest addition to Kirby Smart’s 2018 class which is loaded with defensive and linebacking talent. Walker joins fellow 2018 outside linebacker signees Adam Anderson (5-star), Azeez Ojulari (4-star), and Otis Reese (4-star), who flipped to the Bulldogs from Michigan this morning.
“I love everybody there,” Walker said of Georgia. “Especially my (future) teammates.”
Georgia has the No. 1 recruiting class in the SEC and has now vaulted into the top spot nationally with its work already on Wednesday. Walker chose Georgia for his final official visit during the recruiting period, which clearly helped Smart and his staff secure his commitment. The Bulldogs head coach not only beat out Nick Saban for Walker but also Jeremy Pruitt, with whom Walker had a close relationship as a Crimson Tide commit and made Tennessee a contender in his recruitment.
You can learn more about Quay Walker and his recruiting journey here.