Once upon a time young defensive lineman Tracy Rocker chose Auburn football over Georgia football. Did the now sage defensive line coach Tracy Rocker secure the commitment of this generations game changing defensive line recruit
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In 2014, an undersized front line resulted in Georgia giving up 165 rushing yards per game, placing the Bulldogs 61 out of 125 defenses nationally, strictly middling – the very definition of average, synonymous with mediocre and pedestrian.
Yesterday, 2016 Rivals four-star defensive line recruit Julian Rochester (6’5” 322lbs, Powder Springs, McEachern High) committed to Georgia. Problem solved?
Maybe not quite, but along with Chauncey Manac (6’3” 253, Homerville, Clinch County High) and Tyler Clark (6’3” 290, Americus, Americus Sumter High), two other four-star defensive linemen committed to Georgia, defensive line coach Tracy Rocker and defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt have made a substantial down payment toward resolving the issue.
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Bleacherreport.com’s National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue saw Auburn as the best fit for Rivals four-star defensive lineman.
With the Dawg’s snaring of Rochester, UGAsports.com’s Anthony Dasher reminisced about the defensive lineman Georgia lost to Auburn a generation ago. “Rochester reminds me of a young Tracy Rocker when he signed with Auburn. In Rochester, you’re talking about a future All-SEC performer and someone who will be a lynchpin member of the Bulldogs’ defensive line for the next several seasons to come.”
For those keeping score, Auburn defensive lineman Tracy Rocker is now Georgia’s defensive line coach Tracy Rocker, the position coach that gained Rochester’s commitment.
Rochester could be more than a down payment on championship defensive line play. Like a young Tracy Rocker, he is an investment.
Consider Tuesday’s (May 26) observation from FieldStreetForum.com.
Rochester reminds me of a young Tracy Rocker
“The #2, 3, 8, and 23 ranked defensive tackle prospects currently reside in the state of Georgia. Of the four, UGA already has the #23 ranked prospect committed in Tyler Clark. The #2 and #3 ranked players, Derrick Brown [6’ 4“, 312, Sugar Hill, Lanier High] and Julian Rochester, currently have UGA in the lead. It is actually thought that UGA leads big for both, with Rochester on the verge of committing. The #8 DT recruit, Antwuan Jackson [6’2” 293, Ellenwood, Cedar Grove High], is the main one that talks about those four guys playing together. He has heavy interest in Auburn and has visited there frequently, but his name has been associated with UGA much more lately.”
Jake Reuse of UGAsports.com spoke of Rochester’s influence.
“He’s one of the most popular kids on the trail and is tight with many of Georgia’s top remaining targets, including fellow defensive linemen Derrick Brown and Antwuan Jackson, who the Bulldogs still covet and would love to add.”
Scout National Recruiting Analyst Chad Simmons spoke to Dean Legge of Georgia.Scout.com.
“ is going to be another recruiter for Georgia, too. Rochester is very close with numerous Georgia targets.”
Legge discussed the Georgia targets Rochester may be involved with. “Rochester’s recruiting will likely start with 5-star Lanier DL Derrick Brown, who is considered by most to be leaning towards signing with the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs are also in play for 4-star Jackson DL Michail Carter, 4-star Lithonia DL Jordan Smith and 4-star Cedar Grove DL Antwuan Jackson. Scout’s No. 1 overall player in the country, 5-star Paramus Catholic DL Rashan Gary, (6’5″290) also just visited the Bulldogs.”