The state’s No. 2 prospect could be on the move.
A report from 247sports.com’s Tom Loy has Norcross junior defensive end Robert Beal showing strong renewed interest in Notre Dame. That’s the school he decommitted from back in February. The nation’s No. 34 overall prospect was considered a major target at linebacker and defensive end for UGA in the Class of 2017.
Beal has been compared often to UGA rising junior Lorenzo Carter for his ability to make plays. That’s a comparison his high school coach has not been shy to make. The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder has gotten more than 100 letters in a day from both UGA and Notre Dame during his recruiting process.
The rising junior told DawgNation three weeks ago that he really liked UGA a lot and also said that Kirby Smart‘s new staff was recruiting him harder than any other school. UGA defensive coordinator Mel Tucker was at Norcross High to observe Beal bright and early on the first morning that coaches could visit recruits during the spring evaluation period.
The report also indicates that Loy has heard Beal plans to transfer this July to IMG Academy in Florida. If that goes through, that move would weaken UGA’s chances at signing Beal for the Class of 2017. Beal is rated as the nation’s No. 3 weak-side defensive end for the Class of 2017.
DawgNation was not able to confirm that 247sports.com report with a member of the Norcross High School coaching staff or any members of the Beal family.
Jeff Sentell covers UGA football and 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. Unless otherwise indicated, player rankings and ratings are from the 247Sports Composite.