Recruiting Rewind: Could anything change Jacob Eason’s mind about UGA?
Good morning DawgNation! A big matchup against Florida looms on the horizon and it is sure to have plenty of recruiting implications. Before Saturday’s game arrives, however, there will be plenty of action in the recruiting world. Announcements will be made, offers will be given and the landscape will continue to change.
That’s where DawgNation’s Recruiting Rewind comes into play. While you’re focused on how best to watch UGA take on the team from Gainesville, we will continue to keep you up-to-date on the top stories from the recruiting front.
Let’s jump in.
Today’s must reads
1. Could anything keep Jacob Eason from enrolling?
5-star quarterback Jacob Eason hasn’t set foot on campus yet, but is already known among the UGA football community.
The nation’s No. 2 passer from Lake Stevens High School (Lake Stevens, Wash.) has looked superb on the field during his senior season, and often poses for pictures with UGA fans or signs autographs after his games.
Eason signed his financial aid papers, and is set to enroll in January, but could anything change his mind and keep him from his much-awaited arrival at UGA? He gave DawgNation the answer to that question.

2. Top OL target sets official visit date
Demetri Moore, a 3-star offensive lineman from Mississippi Delta Community College, announced on Monday when he will take his official visit to UGA.
Don’t let the 3-star ranking fool you, Moore is one of UGA’s top offensive line targets for 2016. Why? Well, John Theus and Kolton Houston, UGA’s starting tackles, are in their final year with the team. There are positions where freshmen can have success in the SEC, but generally tackle is not one of them.
That is why Moore is a top priority for UGA. He has experience at the JUCO level and could come into the program ready to compete for a starting spot. With the freshmen talent UGA should have in the 2016 class, getting an experienced tackle would help them fill one hole immediately.
UGA faces stiff competition from Auburn, however, meaning that Moore’s official visit is a big one.
3. UGA offers one of Alabama’s top commits
UGA extended an offer to 4-star safety Xavier McKinney on Monday. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder out of Roswell High School (Ga.) committed to Alabama last month, but that didn’t stop UGA from offering one of the state’s top prospects for 2017.
UGA defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt is widely respected among recruits, and knows what he wants in a defensive back. Pruitt’s Alabama ties are well-known, and he will do his best to persuade McKinney to give UGA a good, long look.
The junior safety is a recruit to keep an eye on. If his high school coach’s comments are accurate, McKinney is a future playmaker on Saturdays.
Extremely blessed to have received my #6 offer from UGA #godawgs pic.twitter.com/ubSZhFI6L2
— Xavier Mckinney (@mckinney_xavier) October 26, 2015
4. Major target schedules visit to Ohio State
Demetris Robertson, a 4-star athlete from Savannah, will take an official visit to top-ranked Ohio State for the Michigan State game on Nov. 21.
Robertson is the nation’s No. 2 athlete for 2016, but places high value in a quality education. Right now he has Stanford as his leader, but has UGA, Alabama, Notre Dame and Cal among his top schools.
UGA won’t receive an official visit from Robertson, but he explained the reason behind that choice. Although he won’t take an official visit there, UGA is still very much in contention for one of its top remaining targets. He has not yet been able to get his entire family to UGA, however, for a very important unofficial visit.
5. All eyes will be on UGA-Florida game
Saturday’s game between UGA and Florida will have big SEC East implications, but it could decide some major recruiting battles as well.
Several big-name prospects are being targeted by both schools and will be watching to see how UGA and Florida fare in this year’s edition of the rivalry.
A good showing on Saturday would go a long way towards convincing a recruit that UGA is still the team to beat.
6. Nation’s No. 1 TE explains Alabama visit
Isaac Nauta, a 5-star tight end from IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), decided to cancel his official visit to USC (California not Carolina) after its recent coaching changes, and will take a visit to Alabama instead.
The nation’s No. 1 tight end prospect is one of the biggest remaining names that UGA has on its board, and it is doing everything it can to convince him to play in Athens next fall.
Nauta took an official visit to UGA for the Alabama game and it seemed to go very well. In addition to his UGA visit, Nauta took visits to Michigan and Ole Miss, and will visit TCU and Alabama next month.
The 5-star prospect told SEC Country over the weekend why he decided to include Alabama to his list of schools to visit.
William McFadden covers UGA recruiting for DawgNation and is an SEC multimedia reporter for SECCountry. Give him a follow on Twitter for news and opinions on the latest sports news.
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