Peach State's top offensive tackle commits to the Bulldogs
BEAVERTON, Oregon - Pace Academy offensive tackle Andrew Thomas has announced his commitment to the Bulldogs at Nike's The Opening in Beaverton, Oregon.
"I decided a few weeks ago and I figured this was a great opportunity," Thomas said. "Where else to do it but on ESPN?"
Thomas becomes the fourth member to pledge to the offensive line, joining fellow offensive tackle D'Antne Demery, as well as the Cedar Grove guard duo of Netori Johnson and Justin Shaffer. As for why he picked the Bulldogs, it was a number of things.
"It was my relationship with the coaching staff and the business program--which is what I want to major in," Thomas said. "Plus the lack of offensive tackles they have right now.
The nation's No. 139 overall player, Thomas was considered somewhat of a long shot under Georgia's previous staff, but Kirby Smart and company were able to flip the script. Most of the credit has to go to new offensive line coach Sam Pittman.
"His role in this was very big," Thomas said. "He definitely recruited me the hardest at Georgia. We have a really good relationship."
Thomas' commitment is big for more than just Pittman. It is a reflection of the new energy in Athens. Georgia's new staff changed their perception in Thomas' eyes starting in January. Prior to that, Thomas was not considering the Bulldogs much if at all.
"The other staff recruited me but it wasn't the same way," Thomas said. "It didn't have the same enthusiasm. A different vibe just came to Georgia with this new staff."
Thomas, who measures in at 6-foot-5, 285 pounds, is the tenth four-star commitment to the Bulldogs for the 2017 class. The previous commits have been hounding him incessantly.
"Trey Blount, Jaden [Hunter] ... they are always on me," Thomas said. "I am good friends with them so that will be pretty interesting."
Blount a wide receiver, is high school teammate with Thomas at PACE Academy, as is top 2018 offensive guard Jamaree Salyer, another major target for Georgia. Thomas plans to work on his teammate and linemate.
"I think [Georgia's chances] are pretty high. I think Georgia is one of his top schools," Thomas said. "I am not going to speak for him. I am not going to beat him upside the head with it but recruiting him will be easy because it is such a good program."
In the meantime, Thomas will also work on his fellow 2017 recruits.
"There is more good news on the way," Thomas said. "I think we might have the No. 1 class by signing day."
As for his future head coach, Thomas said that despite his defensive credentials, Smart knows what he wants on the offensive side of the ball.
"He told me that I am the type of kid he wants to bring to Georgia: a high character kid with good academics who can also play football very well," Thomas said. "He said he is going to make sure I do well. He is going to push me so that I can be the best I can be."
Thomas, a music lover who plays the drums, said his commitment is firm and will check with his parents to see if he is going to take any official visits to schools other than Georgia.