Georgia Football Recruiting: Bulldogs Land Two Commits on Same Day
Georgia added a pair of defensive prospects to its 2015 recruiting class Wednesday, picking up in-state linebacker Gary McCrae and Florida cornerback Deandre Baker. The Bulldogs capped the day off with a commitment from McCrae, who pledged shortly after receiving an offer, per Radi Nabulsi of NBC Atlanta.
The duo gives Georgia 11 total commits in a class that currently rates 10th nationally in 247Sports' composite team rankings:
Head coach Mark Richt continues to stockpile defensive talent in a group of prospects that is heavy on that side of the ball. Among pledges, at least eight are expected to join Jeremy Pruitt's attack in 2015.
McCrae, a 4-star prospect from Randolph Clay High School (Cuthbert, Georgia), is a dynamic player along the edge who brings intimidating size to the field. The 6'4", 220-pound playmaker provides versatility, and he could develop into an effective pass-rusher at the next level with improved technique and added strength.
His loyalties to the Bulldogs are deep-rooted.
"My family members are all Bulldogs fans and I have a player that I look up to that went to school there to from my hometown: Thomas Davis," McCrae told Nabulsi.
Davis was an All-American linebacker and safety at Georgia. He now plays for the Carolina Panthers.
McCrae is the second linebacker to join the class in June. Florida product Juwan Taylor pledged last week and is viewed as the player best suited for an inside position.
McCrae is rated No. 22 nationally among outside linebackers in 247Sports' composite rankings. Rated 28th overall in Georgia, he is the Bulldogs' seventh in-state commit.
His offer sheet includes Kentucky, North Carolina, Louisville and Michigan State, among others.
Baker is the third player Richt has plucked from Florida during this recruiting cycle. The 5'11", 175-pound defensive back competes at Miami Northwestern, where he earned a U.S. Army All-American Bowl invite.
His commitment also came just hours after an offer was extended.
“Coach (Mark) Richt personally offered me," Baker told Rusty Mansell of 247Sports. "He was surprised I committed.”
He chose Georgia over the likes of Tennessee, Rutgers, Mississippi State and Clemson.
Baker is a 3-star recruit who rates 78th nationally among cornerbacks in 247Sports' composite rankings. He adds to a 2015 haul that already includes 4-star Tennessee cornerback Rico McGraw
Recruit information and ratings courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.
