What really went on with all the drama surrounding the UGA football program last week?
We may never have all the answers, but one UGA commitment has heard what he needed to hear.
Chad Clay, a 3-star defensive back from Georgia’s Peachtree Ridge High School, said UGA defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt called last week to let him know what was going on.
“For me, I tried to block out what everybody was saying in the media and stuff and truly listen to what the coaches were saying,” Clay said. “They told me what really happened. You just can’t believe the rumors and everything you hear with that.”
Clay did not go into specifics, but did touch on how he felt about UGA after talking to Pruitt.
“I just think there was a disagreement among the coaches,” Clay said. “Arguments happen in football. Of course they happen and when you are not winning there is tension. But I think things at UGA will be just fine.”
He said he felt reassured.
“What (Pruitt) told me has me confident and still left me with the same feelings I have for Georgia,” he said.
Clay said he also heard from rival recruiters after all those rumors surfaced last week.
“Of course those other schools knew about it and they reached out and asked me how strong was my commitment to Georgia,” Clay said. “But nothing really serious with all of it.”
Clay said he told those schools he was still committed to UGA and the coaching staff. He believes they will be back next season until he hears otherwise.
“Of course all that stuff makes you nervous as a recruit and a commitment,” Clay said. “But I just look at it with the staff since Coach Richt has been there for so long I don’t think one little incident is going to ruin the whole thing.”
Clay said he didn’t even watch UGA’s win against Kentucky, but was happy to see the team bounce back from that adversity. He said he “just chilled” last weekend.
He’s thinking about taking a visit to Mississippi State this weekend. If he does, then he will make that an official visit.
Clay told DawgNation on Oct. 3 that he “was pretty locked in” with UGA, but also said Mississippi State was a program he might try to check out on an official visit before he signed his financial aid papers with UGA. He’s planning to early enroll at UGA in January.
Another school has also popped up on his recruiting radar. That’s his father’s alma mater. Clay, the son of Georgia Tech All-American Willie “Big Play” Clay, said he’s recently heard from that coaching staff.
“Coach (Ted) Roof said they were still looking for and recruiting defensive backs and that I was still on their board,” Clay said.
Clay said he “hadn’t thought about” whether or not he would take an official visit to Georgia Tech.
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.
