It is possible for a relatively unheralded prospect to impress enough in one afternoon to earn a scholarship offer and become a commitment.
And Rico Johnson just proved it.
Johnson, a speedy 5-foot-11, 175-pound wide receiver from Swainsboro (Ga.) High School, committed to UGA on Saturday after earning an offer with his performance in front of coaches at the Mark Richt Camp in Athens.
"It was wild," Johnson told Dawgs247's Rusty Mansell. "It was like one of the best feelings in the world, because I always wanted to play there."
A track standout, Johnson was timed at 4.31 seconds in the 40-yard dash, a performance so impressive that Bulldogs assistants stopped camp and called for Mark Richt to come over and watch Johnson run again.
After the camp, Johnson received the scholarship offer and immediately discussed it with his coaches and family in attendance.
"Then I went back and talked to Coach Richt and gave him my commitment," Johnson said.
When Richt asked if Johnson and his family were sure, Johnson replied, "That's definitely what we're going to do."
Johnson could play wide receiver or cornerback in college, though UGA added him as a wide receiver, Johnson said.
Part of the reason Johnson isn't more well-known as a prospect is that he had to sit out last season as a transfer onto Swainsboro's team and then was running track during the spring.
So while Johnson remains relatively off the radar in recruiting circles, that was beginning to change. He camped this past week at Clemson, and though the Tigers did not offer at the time, Johnson felt like it was close.
Instead, he becomes commitment No. 19 to Georgia's class and presumably fills the spot left vacant by receiver Kyrin Priester, who decommitted Thursday night and appears likely to commit elsewhere.
- Gentry Estes
- Georgia Insider - Dawgs247