Kendall Baker Commits to Georgia: Bulldogs Beat Auburn, FSU for 4-Star

Kendall Baker, a 4-star lineman recruit, has committed to Georgia, giving the Bulldogs a total of 12  commitments in 2014.

He chose UGA over the likes of Auburn and Florida State, so this will go down as a good recruiting win for Mark Richt and his staff.

Michael Carvell of AJC.com reports on the commitment, via Twitter:

Baker represents yet another in-state commitment for Georgia, and that's huge considering the perceived problems Richt had recruiting in-state last cycle.

That's not the case in 2014 though, as Baker is the eighth commitment from Georgia for the Bulldogs so far.

Other elite in-state commitments include 4-star defensive tackle Dontavius Russell, 4-star cornerback Malkom Parrish and 4-star running back Nick Chubb.

At 6'6'', 275 pounds, Baker is ranked as an offensive tackle, according to 247Sports, but Michael Carvell of AJC.com reported before his commitment that UGA was recruiting him as a defensive tackle.

According to Carvell's report, Baker would prefer to play on the D-line:

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"I like defense better, because I’ve played defense most of my high school career,” Baker said. “I really haven’t played much on the offensive side of the ball at Marist. Other than that, I’m not afraid of playing offense. I’m not going to shy away from anything. But like I said, I like defense a lot more right now. Hopefully I will get my shot in college at playing defense.”

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At his size, he'd be a great option to play the 0-technique or nose guard in the 3-4, as he should have no problem demanding double teams and controlling the line of scrimmage.

That said, the 247Sports composite rankings do list him as the No. 19 offensive tackle in the nation. 

Either way, whether he plays offense or defense, he's an important and versatile in-state commitment for Georgia.