In a big coup for Georgia recruiting, Chad Clay, the son of a former Georgia Tech star, has announced that he will be a Georgia Bulldog in 2016.
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The Georgia Bulldogs faithful can breathe a little easier this evening after landing 4-star cornerback Chad Clay from Peachtree Ridge High School out of Suwanee, Georgia. Clay chose UGA over various others to include Georgia Tech, Florida, and Ohio State. Urban Meyer and company had been on the grind attempting to land the defensive standout as of late but it was the Dawgs who came out on top in the end.
Clay, the son of former Georgia Tech standout Willie Clay, tweeted out his decision along with a heartfelt message of thanks to many who have been beside and with him throughout the recruiting process:
I just want to thank God for blessing me with this great opportunity pic.twitter.com/ntpyTw1tMT
— Chad Clay (@TheReal_Chad4) May 18, 2015
Clay is now the 12th UGA commit of the 2016 recruiting class headlined by several prospects including 5 star quarterback Jacob Eason and 4 star offensive tackle Ben Cleveland. Multiple factors came into play with Clay’s decision to stick with and commit to the University of Georgia. One of the main factors was the relationship Clay has developed with UGA defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt and the rest of the Bulldogs coaching staff.
Pruitt took to Twitter himself following Clay’s decision to commit to the “red and black” showing his pleasure with the decision and on the fact that the in-state cornerback stayed true to his roots in his decision to come play in “The Classic City”:
Another factor with Clay’s decision came in the form of academics. With sports medicine, business, or broadcasting as possible majors for the Peachtree Ridge star, Clay told Bleacher Report that the University of Georgia is a place where he feels he could succeed as a student. He also alluded to the fact that he seems to have a feeling of ease in being on the UGA campus and with the football program found there.
"“It’s [Athens] where I can see myself off the field. I wanted to find a place that I could succeed as a student in the classroom and just where I fit in on campus and with the football program. It feels like home even when it’s not football season.”"
Chad Clay is listed as the 27th overall CB and the 22nd overall prospect in the state of Georgia for the 2016 Class per 247Sports.com composite rankings. His commitment to the Dawgs is a big one as he is friends with multiple others who are targets for UGA as they attempt to keep piling on big names and building on an already impressive 2016 class.
“Our goal is to get the No. 1 class,” Clay said.
CHAD CLAY JUNIOR HIGHLIGHTS – HUDL
Clay is confident and aggressive and maintains an uncanny ability to read the quarterback and react to the ball when it is thrown. He will in no doubt play a vital role in the future in the secondary for the Dawgs who have made great strides defensively and that only seems to be getting better and better.