4-Star QB Bailey Hockman Opens Up on Recruiting and Career Plans After Football

BUFORD, Ga. — The recruiting process has already proved to be eventful for 4-star quarterback Bailey Hockman.

However, the Peach State product may do a little recruiting of his own after his playing days are over.

That’s because he has eyes on becoming a sports agent after his time on the gridiron concludes.

“I want to major in sports management and I want to get a law degree and become a sports agent,” Hockman told Bleacher Report.

The nation’s No. 7 pro-style passer and No. 156 player overall in the 2017 cycle has already formulated a plan for how he would like to transition into life after football.

“I just think it would fit me well having a lot of connections within the football world through my dad and all of the guys that I have met and talked to, I just think it would be a great fit for me,” Hockman explained. “Plus, with me going to college, I could probably have a great connection with some guys who will make it to the NFL anyway.”

But he’s got a long way to go before he gets to that point.

Hockman is a star passer for McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, where his father, Kyle, is the head coach.

His offseason agenda has been to add mass to his 6’2” frame while trying to figure out where he will begin his college career next year.

The 6’2”, 210-pounder was initially committed to in-state power Georgia before reopening his process in December.

Now, four schools are on his short list entering the spring: Alabama, Florida State, North Carolina and Tennessee.

He shared his thoughts on each program.

Alabama: "Alabama is obviously a big-time program that competes for national championships every year. It’s a really good place to learn and develop with [head] Coach [Nick] Saban and that staff."

Florida State: "It’s a great school and a beautiful campus. It could be a really good place for me and help me get to where I want to go. [Head] Coach [Jimbo] Fisher is one of the best quarterback coaches in the county, so that’s definitely appealing."

North Carolina: "North Carolina is a great school. They have a great staff and it would be a good situation to walk into. I could potentially start as a redshirt freshman, so that would be pretty good."

Tennessee: "Tennessee was my last visit. I really like the coaches there. [Offensive coordinator] Coach [Mike] DeBord, his pedigree is obvious with the fact that he coached Tom Brady. The staff there has connections all over the place with guys like Peyton Manning and Jon Gruden. It would be a great place to go and learn."

Two of those programs will host Hockman in the coming weeks.

“I’m going to Florida State next weekend on the 26th and North Carolina on April 9th,” Hockman said.

Additionally, the No. 19 overall prospect from the Peach State has already made plans to be an early enrollee at whichever school he chooses.

“I already have it set up that way. I only have two classes left to take, so I have a pretty easy senior year,” he said.

With that in mind, Hockman admits that he’s pondered making a commitment in the near future.

“I could [make a decision soon]. I don’t have a timeline,” Hockman said. “I could make it soon or it could be a while longer. It gets a little crazy sometimes, but I hope for it to be soon.”

As for what factors will play a critical role in his decision, there’s one thing that will take precedent when it comes down to finding the program that fits him the best.

“When you start going on visits, you realize that every place is pretty much the same with a few little things to make it different at each one,” Hockman said. “One thing may be a little better or little worse, but the differences are really small. For me, it’s about finding the place I feel can be the best I can be and get to the next level, because that’s what it’s about.”

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani