RB Sony Michel chooses Georgia
The week keeps getting better for the University of Georgia. Three days after ESPN 150 tight end Jeb Blazevich committed, ESPN 150 running back Sony Michel (Plantation, Fla./American Heritage) chose the Bulldogs during an announcement on ESPNU.
The No. 16 overall prospect in the country, Michel took visits to Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami and Notre Dame before finalizing his decision.
“The school for me is the University of Georgia, and I knew it was the right place for me the first time I set foot on campus,” Michel said. “It was a little different for me when I got on campus, but I felt comfortable there, almost like I was still at home. I also wanted to experience something a little bit different too.”
Last summer, the 5-foot-11, 198-pound running back took his first, and only, visit to Athens, Ga. But the one trip was all Michel needed.
“I knew at the end of my visit to Georgia that was where I wanted to play college football, but the other schools are also great, so they made it a little bit harder for me,” Michel said. “But I always knew that Georgia was where I was going to end up going.”
Michel, the No. 2 running back prospect in the 2014 class, established himself as a local legend at American Heritage by rushing for 1,825 yards and 18 touchdowns and returning two kickoffs for touchdowns in 2010 — as an eighth grader on the varsity team. He followed it up with 1,730 yards and 21 touchdowns his freshman season and last year ran for 1,264 yards and 18 touchdowns on only 130 carries.
The pull to stay home and play for nearby Miami was strong, especially since Michel admits to growing up an avid supporter of the Hurricanes. He does not intend to change that anytime soon.
“Even though I am going to the University of Georgia, I am still a die-hard Miami fan,” Michel said. “I just felt like Georgia was where I could have the most success.”
The Hurricanes made one last ditch effort for Michel this week, but to no avail.
“Miami came by my school and tried to make a big push for me this week, but I shot down all contact with coaches,” he said. “It will not be too difficult for me to avoid changing my mind. Once I make my decision, I am solid with it, and I feel like nothing is really going to change that.”
At Georgia, Michel would join a backfield that includes four running backs, including two who had a lot of success as true freshmen in 2012. That played a role in Michel’s decision to choose the Bulldogs. Georgia also hopes to land a commitment from talented in-state running back Nick Chubb (Cedartown, Ga./Cedartown). Michel says bringing in another tailback in the 2014 class will not affect his choice.
“I chose Georgia because the two returning running backs there, Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall, will push me to the best of my ability,” Michel said. “Georgia taking another running back after me is not something that worries me because I love competition.”
Michel is the fifth commitment for Georgia in the Class of 2014 and the second from a prospect in the ESPN 150.