ATHENS — Chauncey Manac, a highly regarded defensive recruit in the Class of 2016, is transferring from the Georgia football program.

His aunt, Beth Leviton, confirmed the decision Tuesday as she was on her way from south Georgia to pick up Manac. She said Manac will transfer to Garden City Community College in Kansas.

“From there I don’t now,” Leviton said. “Right now we have nothing against Georgia. We love them. They’ve taken care of him. And nothing but the best. But he’s wanting to play.”

Manac redshirted last year at outside linebacker, then moved to defensive line this preseason. That was a surprising move; Manac was expected to be on the two-deep at outside linebacker and play this season.

Instead it appears Manac, a 4-star recruit (Clinch County H.S./Homerville, Ga.) who was rated as the 114th overall prospect nationally in the 2016 class, will continue his career elsewhere.

“I guess he needs a change. But he’s excited,” Leviton said. “Everything with Georgia is good. We love the people there. We love everybody. They’ve just been awesome. But when you’re not happy you have to do something. Life’s too short.”