Ensworth junior cornerback Rico McGraw announced his commitment Thursday night to Georgia, citing the Bulldogs’ recent hire of former Florida State defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt as the key to his decision.
“Georgia’s always been a school that has paid attention to me,” said McGraw, a Tennessean first-team all-Midstate selection in 2013 after recording three interceptions, five pass breakups, 29 tackles and a forced fumble for the Division II-AA champions. “I wanted to play for Coach Pruitt at Florida State, but it was too far away. When he went to Georgia, it all seemed to fall in place.”
Along with Georgia and Florida State, McGraw had scholarship offers from Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Alabama, Ole Miss and South Carolina of the Southeastern Conference as well as Penn State, North Carolina, Ohio State, UCLA and Southern Cal.
McGraw, touted for the last couple of years as one of Tennessee’s top 2015 prospects, said Pruitt’s defensive philosophy closely mirrors that employed by Ensworth.
“My defensive backs coach now (Jonas Rodriguez), he and coach Pruitt are on the same page as far as defensive approach,” he said. “I feel really comfortable as far as being able to step in there. I feel very familiar with their defensive scheme, and I feel I’ve got an idea what they want to do. When I get in there, I think I’ll be a step ahead.”
McGraw would become Georgia’s first Midstate signee since Hillwood’s Ralph Thompson inked with the Bulldogs in 1990.
