Cade Mays grew up a Tennessee fans. He was committed to the program his father played for more than two years.

But college will be a different world from what the Mays, a 5-star tackle from Knoxville., Tenn., long expected. He committed Wednesday to play for the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturdays.

Chalk up another 5-star signee for the Bulldogs on the first day of the new early signing period. Mays joins running back Zamir White, quarterback Justin Fields, offensive lineman Jamree Salyer and linebacker Adam Anderson as part of the cavalcade of 5-stars for the Bulldogs.

Mays committed to Volunteers on July 13, 2015. Amid uncertainty about the future of coach Butch Jones, Mays de-committed on Nov. 7. The pair of visits he took to UGA after his de-commitment proved crucial.

He enjoyed his unofficial visit in November and then his official on the final weekend prior to the early signing period.

Mays completes a dream offensive line class for Georgia and offensive line coach Sam Pittman. The Bulldogs picked up the nation’s top two guards ― 5-star Jamaree Salyer and 4-star Trey Hill ― plus a pair of imposing tackles in Mays and 3-star Owen Condon.

Mays is the No. 2 tackle in the 2018 class and the No. 16 player overall, according to the 247Sports composite. He has said he will enroll early in January. The Bulldogs topped Clemson and Ohio State for his signature.

The U.S. Army All-American will compete in the Army All-American Bowl in January in Texas before heading to Georgia to enroll.

The behind-the-scenes efforts of Salyer cannot be understated. Salyer and Mays bonded, competing at prospect camps. And Salyer has had Mays’ ear about Georgia for quite some time.

Mays also took his final official visit to Georgia. A hunting trip with Ben Cleveland, Jake Fromm and Charlie Woerner really helped the Bulldogs’ cause with the tackle.