This week’s SEC clash with Missouri was looking like a pretty huge weekend for UGA football recruiting. There will be a host of 5-star prospects coming to UGA for either official or unofficial visits.
Well, count one of those young men out. Alabama 5-star defensive end Marlon Davidson is no longer expected to attend. The Greenville High school standout told reporters at his Under Armour All-American jersey presentation ceremony on Thursday that he was no longer planning to attend the UGA-Missouri game.
He now plans to go on his official visits after his senior season. Dawgnation also reached out to Greenville head coach Josh McClendon about the matter on Friday morning. McClendon said he believed Davidson would no longer be at UGA this week.
McClendon also added Davidson plans to be at the LSU-Florida game in Baton Rouge this weekend on an unofficial visit. Davidson has made news of late for being committed to Auburn, but wearing Alabama gear to school at various times. He committed to Auburn over Alabama and UGA last month.
Davidson has also said that he was only 75 percent committed to Auburn at this time. He is keeping his options open.
Does UGA have a chance with Davidson? Yes, they do. It appears that Auburn’s down season might be a factor. Davidson has said that the school which recruits him the hardest down the stretch will be the program that signs him.
His family is also very familiar with UGA defensive line coach Tracy Rocker. Davidson’s older brother, Ken Carter, was coached by Rocker when he served in the same capacity at Auburn. Ken Carter currently serves as a member of the coaching staff at Auburn.
Each one of those elements certainly adds some intrigue to his eventual decision. The clock is ticking in that race as Davidson plans to enroll early in January.
The 5-star is rated the No. 3 player in the nation at his position per the 247sports composite of all recruiting rankings. Rivals has Davidson rated as the No. 8 player in the nation.
If you don’t know a lot about him, be sure to read about his impressive personal story and what motivates him to excel.
Davidson spoke with DawgNation on Monday regarding his recruiting. Check out his video interview below.
Jeff Sentell covers UGA recruiting for AJC.com and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Follow him on Twitter for the latest on who’s on their way to play Between the Hedges.