ORLANDO, Fla. — Brendan Radley-Hiles rates as the nation’s No. 6 cornerback prospect for 2018. He holds 31 college offers and also ranks as the No. 36 overall prospect.
That said, he does not have an offer from Georgia. The 5-foot-9, 183-pounder described a simple way for the Bulldogs to become one of his top schools.
“Offer me,” he said. “That’s it.”
He said an offer immediately would place Georgia among his top schools. The 4-star prospect recently moved from California to Florida to play for IMG Academy and would love to make a return trip to Athens after visiting last year.
“Offer me and there will be no questions asked about how I will get there,” Radley-Hiles said. “I’m actually in Florida now. I’m closer, and I don’t have to cross the country and all.”
Radley-Hiles speaks with 2019 Georgia commit Nolan Smith at IMG almost every day.
“That’s like my little brother,” he said. “We talk about it all the time. … That’s my guy. We talk about Georgia every day. I tell him the same thing I have always said. If they offer me then (UGA) will be in my top (schools) for sure.”
Has Georgia reached out? He’s spoken briefly of late with defensive coordinator Mel Tucker. It seems like the Bulldogs are beginning to get back into contact.
Size might have something to do with the delay on that offer.
Georgia wants tall and lengthy corners. Radley-Hiles could be a rare exception. His body type and aggressive nature will resemble what priority 2017 target Jamyest Williams brings to the cornerback spot.
“That’s my boy,” Radley-Hiles said. “Jamyest and I talk a lot. I have spoken to his dad a few times. We both have that ‘dog’ in us. We look at Tyrann Mathieu a lot as a comparison and an inspiration. That height doesn’t really matter when you play with all your heart.”
He said Alabama, Florida State, Nebraska, Texas and UCLA were recruiting him the hardest. He even wore a Nebraska wristband on Sunday in Orlando.
“The ones that talk to me the most are the ones I have a great relationship with,” Radley-Hiles said. “I talk to a few schools here and there. I talk to Baylor, and I talk to (Southern Cal) a lot.”
The No. 8 prospect in Florida this year went into greater detail to note the quality of communication he has with Florida State, Nebraska and Texas. He felt he already has a specific genuine relationship with multiple coaches at those schools.
Georgia’s chances possibly could be helped by another factor. Radley-Hiles shared his personal and family connections to Georgia with DawgNation last year after his visit. He’s known to many as “Bookie” and that’s in reference to a brother he lost while growing up.
“I actually will commit on my brother’s birthday on July 31, 2017,” he said.
He described an offer from Georgia back then as a “priceless” opportunity. The way he talks now seems to indicate he still feels that way.
Radley-Hiles stood out as one of the most impressive defensive backs at the Nike Opening regional in Orlando. He lined up across the secondary at multiple positions. He also earned overall DB MVP honors as well.
The 4-star cornerback has family that lives near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and a sister who lives 30 minutes from Athens. She’s lived in Georgia since 2007.
“I love the state of Georgia because of all the family I have out (there),” he said last year. “I love how everybody here is nothing but cool and humble people. That’s my lifestyle. I base myself off being humble and also love the facilities Georgia is building. Those new facilities are crazy. Lots of new stuff that will be ready for my class. If I did go to Georgia, my class would probably be one of the first full classes to fully experience it. The visit went just great. It feels like home in Georgia already. My sister is less than 25 minutes away. It looks like an all-around great fit. If Georgia was to offer me a scholarship it would just make a major huge impact in my recruitment.”
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Follow Jeff Sentell on Twitter for the latest on who’s on their way to play Between the Hedges. Unless otherwise indicated, player rankings and ratings are from the 247Sports Composite.