And you thought Georgia was going to have a quiet National Signing Day. The Bulldogs pulled off an absolute stunner when Georgia flipped long-time Auburn commit George Pickens from Auburn.
Pickens is the No. 24 prospect in the country and the No. 1 player in the state of Alabama. When Pickens does sign with Georgia, it will give the Bulldogs the No. 1 and No. 2 players in the state of Alabama, as the Bulldogs also signed Clay Webb.
Related: George Pickens commits to Georgia
With Pickens in the class, Georgia has five 5-star recruits, as Pickens joins Webb, Travon Walker, Nakobe Dean and Nolan Smith. Georgia still has the No. 2 overall class, but the Pickens addition makes up some major ground on Alabama, who has lost two commitments.
Pickens spoke with reporters on at his signing event in Hoover, Ala.
“I just felt like it was the right place for me,” Pickens told reporters. “Plus, coaching wise knowing that Kirby Smart is always going to be up for a national championship.”
The flip by Pickens stunned the national media with his announcement as Georgia fans were thrilled with Pickens’ flip.
Owen Pappoe, a 5-star linebacker from Georgia and a one-time Bulldog target who signed with Auburn, weighed in on Pickens’ flip.
Pickens is also high school teammates with 2020 quarterback Robbie Ashford, who is a major Georgia target in the 2020 class. Ashford is ranked as the No. 4 dual threat quarterback in the 2020 class, and is down to Georgia and Auburn as his finalists. Ashford is expected to announce his decision in March.
Related: National Signing Day: Georgia football signees, projected commitments, live updates
With Pickens in the fold, Georgia now has three wide receivers in the 2019 class, as Pickens joins 4-star Dominick Blaylock and 4-star Makiya Tongue. Blaylock and Pickens are both ranked in the top 40 overall prospects of the 2019 class, as Blaylock is ranked as the No. 36 prospect.
Georgia is still waiting to hear on a number of prospects, including 4-star DB Kaiir Elam and 3-star tight end Brett Seither. Elam will announce at 1 p.m. while Seither will do so at 1:30 p.m.
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