Julian Rochester Commitment to Georgia Could Be Tipping Point
Julian Rochester, a 5-star defensive tackle out of Powder Springs, Ga. (McEachern HS) officially committed to Georgia on Thursday, and it could be the commitment that starts the Dawgs on the way to the nation’s No. 1 class.
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Georgia already had the number one quarterback (and number one overall player) committed for 2016 in Jacob Eason, and a handful of other four and five-star players among their 11 total commits. Rochester’s commitment makes 12, and it also makes Georgia an even more serious player for the 2016 class.
Rochester is ranked as the No. 2 player in the state of Georgia, the No. 3 defensive tackle in the nation and the No. 10 overall player in the nation according to 247 Sports composite rankings. He’s a 5-star tackle with the skills and tools that defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt loves, and will have plenty of top-ranked company alongside.
I officially Committed to the University Of Georgia shouts out to the UGA coaches and families love yall #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/XTCtMFqx2x
— Julian , (@Jroc5DL) May 29, 2015
But beyond just getting another nice commitment, this could be the tipping point that starts Georgia on the way to having 2016’s top class. These things snowball, and when players like Rochester, E.J. Price and Chad Clay jump on board and start tugging the ears of their teammates and friends from other schools, the momentum can become tremendous.
It’s easy to say that having the No. 1 recruiting class doesn’t mean anything, and that it’s performance on the field that counts. But topping the recruiting rankings is step one, and it certainly didn’t hurt Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide on their way to multiple championships.
The addition of Rochester alone has vaulted Georgia up to the No. 4 spot in the 2016 rankings, trailing closely behind Miami, Ohio State and Florida State.
There are more 5-star targets out there, and many of them are acquainted with some kids who have already committed to Georgia. Watch carefully as this thing starts to gain traction through the summer.