BRUNSWICK, Ga. — Larry Harold, the football coach at Brunswick High School, knows what a full-court recruiting press from UGA feels like. He’s fresh off that experience when he coached UGA freshman linebacker Roquan Smith at another high school last year.

Harold has a new team this fall, but the feeling still remains. UGA has set its sights on a junior prospect who needs to stoop just a smidge to fit through the doorway of the coach’s office.

D’Antne Demery, a 6-foot-6, 305-pound offensive tackle, is rated the No. 137 player in the nation for 2017. Let’s just say UGA offensive line coach Rob Sale is a fan.

“Oh my gosh, Georgia wants this kid real bad,” Harold said. “He’s a top priority to them. I feel like it is kind of deja vu with this kid and what I experienced with Roquan. Oh yeah, they want him bad.”

Demery was at least 25 pounds heavier earlier in his varsity career, but he dedicated himself in the summer before his sophomore year. He ran 12 miles per week with Brunswick assistant coach Brandon Evans. He shed that weight and sculpted himself into a prospect.

What else is there to know about Demery? Check out his video interview above with DawgNation.com for his thoughts on the following:

  • UGA wants him. How does he feel about UGA?
  • Which recruiter does he have the best relationship with?
  • Which school is recruiting him the hardest?
  • Which schools does he already know will be his official visits next fall?
  • Can he enroll early?
  • What’s his favorite TV show? His answer will make you smile.

Demery is a prototype left tackle, but he’s not a polished prospect. He has to work on moving his feet and continuing to churn his legs. He needs to work on his motor. He wants to fire off the ball with an aggressive punch, but then can’t sustain that effort. He’s an agile kid and would be a great puller.

Look for that to come with time. He has the size and length. That’s the stuff no coach can teach.  Harold said Sale lined Demery up at left tackle at Dawg Night this year and then had 2016 commitment Ben Cleveland at right tackle.  He said he wanted to line up two Top 10 tackles at UGA like that in the coming years. 

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.