Georgia 2025 four-star WDE London Merritt talks IMG transfer and impact teams
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Class of 2025 defensive lineman London Merritt is wanted everywhere, and that includes at the high school level. The 6-3, 240-pound, end got after Georgia offenses last fall with Woodward Academy but will make life exceedingly difficult for teams in 2024 working the edge for Florida’s IMG Academy (Bradenton). Merritt will do it all with a large collegiate crowd watching.
The four-star defender spoke about adjusting to his new digs.
“I got there on Friday; it is great,” Merritt said. “I haven’t been here for too long, I am adjusting. It is like being in college early, which is a big plus for me when I go to college. So far, I like what we have going on here.”
Merritt talked about his grind over the winter months.
“It is decent,” Merritt stated. “I had a little shoulder injury, I have rested it, and now I am getting back in the weight room. My main goal is getting faster, stronger, and working on my craft at d-end.”
Turning up the heat on opposing quarterbacks is Merritt’s goal in 2024.
“I’m perfecting my two-step, my inside and out, and outside-in; those are my best moves,” Merritt shared. “The ghost move is another I am working on. I am working on using more power than finesse in my pass rush.”
In the mid-40s with scholarship opportunities, there is only one holdout on the offer front.
“Georgia is the only school that has not offered, all the other big schools on the east coast have offered,” Merritt stated.
Merritt spoke about the teams making an impact on his recruitment.
“Ohio State, Alabama, USC, Florida State, Clemson, and I’m liking Louisville as well,” Merritt said.
After fall trips to Ohio State, Clemson, Alabama, Louisville, and USC, Merritt is ready to get back on campuses in the new year.
“I’m not sure, but I think I am going somewhere at the end of the month for a Junior Day,” Merritt shared. “I think it is Alabama. Miami is trying to get me to go too. I have to talk to my parents; I’m not 100 percent sure where I am visiting next.”
A top schools list could be announced this spring.
“I will probably drop a top five or six in a month or two, then I will commit a little bit after that,” Merritt added.
RECRUITING INSIGHT
Merritt was asked about Ohio State, Alabama, and USC sharing his thoughts on each program.
Ohio State: “Coach (Larry) Johnson (DL), I love him as a coach and as a person. He really knows what he’s doing with d-linemen. He has put out good d-linemen like Chase Young and Nick Bosa. The difference with him, he watches my film with me. When I was there, he told me the things I did well and bad in person. I really appreciated that.”
Alabama: “You can’t go wrong with Alabama. They will always be a top school in college football. I am really liking what they are doing with players at my position. Talking to coach Nick Saban, they see me playing Jack, the same as Will Anderson; like what Dallas Turner is currently playing. I like what he did with them. Turner is declaring for the NFL Draft and is supposed to go in the first round, I would definitely want to follow his tracks.”
USC: “When I went out there, it was like an official the way they treated me and the way they went about things. Coach (Shaun) Nua, their d-line coach, he is a great dude. It is really nice out there. It would be nice to play in 70-degree weather. USC has a great climate and is a great place to play football.”