Should Georgia Fans Worry 5-Star QB Commit Jacob Eason Will Visit Florida?
Less than 48 hours after 4-star quarterback Feleipe Franks announced his commitment to Florida, the Gators solidified plans to host another blue-chip passer.
Jacob Eason, a 5-star Washington recruit and longtime Georgia Bulldogs pledge, will travel to Gainesville for an official visit this week, according to Luke Stampini of 247Sports. He is expected to arrive Tuesday night, presenting a dramatic development in the aftermath of a mutual breakup between Georgia head coach Mark Richt and the university.
The 6'5", 205-pound prospect is working with limited time left in his recruitment. Eason remains on track to enroll at college in January, taking part in spring camp before his freshman summer session.
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Georgia landed his commitment last summer, and he's served as a foundational member of another impressive Bulldogs class throughout this cycle. However, the loss of a veteran leader like Richt is bound to create ramifications.
Eason, who initially chose Georgia over Notre Dame, Alabama, Stanford, Washington, Florida State and others, appears ready to at least explore alternative options before finalizing his future in Athens.
There is plenty for him to sort through as he examines what lies ahead.
A Georgia regime that won 145 games and two SEC titles during the past 15 seasons is suddenly gone. Sweeping changes are expected to continue among assistant coaches, likely resulting in a much different staff than the one Eason committed to in 2014.
Count Richt among those who understand his caution but encourage perspective.
"I just told him to be patient, he may even get excited about the next guy. Just don't jump the gun on anything. I told him he chose Georgia for a reason, not just myself or [offensive coordinator Brian] Schottenheimer," Richt said during a Monday press conference, according to Rusty Mansell of 247Sports.
Eason, an Elite 11 finalist rated No. 2 nationally among pro-style quarterbacks in composite rankings, heads to Florida just days following a major pickup at the position for Gators head coach Jim McElwain.
Florida secured a commitment from Franks, another Elite 11 finalist, on Sunday. The in-state standout flirted with the Gators throughout this season, visiting multiple games despite his longstanding pledge to SEC rival LSU.
Franks, rated No. 5 among pro-style quarterbacks in the 2016 class, decommitted from LSU in late November as speculation swirled around the future of Tigers head coach Les Miles. He joined Florida's class less than a week later, filling a priority need in McElwain's latest talent haul.
The Gators didn't sign a scholarship quarterback in the 2015 cycle and lost redshirt freshman starter Will Grier until next October due to suspension. Franks joins 3-star Texas passer Kyle Trask in the 2016 class, while 4-star Florida product Jake Allen is already on board for 2017.
Florida seemingly found its ideal fit in Franks, a high-ceiling athlete who established career-high totals with 2,347 passing yards and 30 touchdown tosses through 13 games this season, per MaxPreps.
Now that things are settling down in Baton Rouge, which appeared to be on the brink of monumental changes last week, expect the Tigers coaching staff to re-establish its relationship with Franks. Miles and LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron will visit Franks at Wakulla High School on Tuesday, according to James Smith of NOLA.com.
It's an opportunity for Tigers leadership to clear the air with a quarterback who spent 17 months committed to the program. Miles may make it a point to discuss the fact that Florida is welcoming Eason to campus later in the day, providing room for doubt that Franks truly sits atop the Gators' 2016 quarterback target board at this stage.
When asked about his feelings in reaction to Eason's visit, Franks was blunt.
“Not good,” he told Chris Kirschner of SEC Country.
Eason is the more polished passer as a high school senior, though Franks' freakish athleticism and arm strength sets the stage for exciting potential in coming years. Both players could soon become faces of SEC offensive attacks, eventually crossing paths in crucial clashes.
While Franks still may be in play for LSU, attention also shifts toward other contenders who could emerge in Eason's recruitment.
Washington State head coach Mike Leach visited him at Lake Stevens High School on Monday, and Washington head coach Chris Petersen spoke with Eason's coach last week, according to Sandy Ringer of the Seattle Times.
Now nine weeks shy of national signing day, most Power Five programs have solidified 2016 quarterback plans. Although, if they're being entirely honest, there likely aren't many college coaches in the country who wouldn't swap their pledged passer for Eason.
He started collecting scholarship offers in bunches as an underclassman and recently capped off his high school career with a trip to the state semifinals. Eason completed 70 percent of pass attempts this fall, per MaxPreps, tallying 3,585 yards, 43 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Georgia fans who have anticipated his arrival next semester are suddenly faced with a shaky situation. The swiftness with which university administrators identify and sign a new head coach is a prominent factor, as Eason won't have much time to build rapport with the new hire and his freshly assembled staff.
Florida found itself faced with piecing things together late in 2014 following the dismissal of former Gators head coach Will Muschamp. McElwain, bolstered by a staff featuring former Alabama offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, former Mississippi State defensive coordinator Geoff Collins and former Miami head coach Randy Shannon, finished strong last signing day and now heads to the SEC Championship Game.
Florida and Georgia both claim Top 10 recruiting classes in composite rankings, though momentum seems to be moving in opposite directions.
The Gators snagged Franks, will host Eason and are considered a favorite for 5-star Alabama linebacker Lyndell "Mack" Wilson, who announces Friday. Georgia faces an unsteady situation with the crown jewel of its class and missed on top-rated, in-state wide receiver Kyle Davis last week when the 5-star prospect chose Auburn.
The Bulldogs will soon sign a new head coach, turning the page after Richt's decade-and-a-half tenure. Georgia is focused on finding a fit that increases the likelihood of title contention and long-term success.
However, the short-term cost could ultimately end up being Eason.
"He’s feeling it right now. He’s stressed," Lake Stevens head coach Tom Tri told Ringer. "He wants to see who Georgia hires before he makes any decision and then kind of go from there. … I think he’s still committed as of right now, but if he doesn’t know what’s going to happen, he’s got to pursue other options.”
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