Georgia Flips In-State OG Target Netori Johnson away from Alabama

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The Bulldogs got a big push to their 2017 recruiting class on Tuesday when 4-star offensive guard Netori Johnson verbally committed to Georgia.

Johnson was a mauler on the inside for Cedar Grove High School (Ellenwood) during the 2015 season helping the Saints to an 11-2-1 record racing to the Georgia (GHSA) semifinal round of the high school playoffs. Along the way, the listed 6’3.5”, 340 pound, lineman started pulling in offers from all over the country with teams like Florida, Kentucky, Minnesota, Wake Forest, Illinois, Louisville, Auburn, North Carolina State, Michigan, and Oklahoma extending offers.

Early in the recruiting process Alabama won Johnson’s verbal commitment but a change of heart came on Feb. 5. Johnson decommitted opening up the recruiting process back up. Unofficial visits to Auburn, Alabama, Baylor, and Oklahoma soon followed but the play for Johnson’s commitment came to an end on April 19.

Johnson’s announcement was made national news on Twitter with the post, “First I would like to thank God for the talents that he has blessed me with. I would also like to thank my family, coaches, teacher and everyone else who has supported me thus far. Thank you to all of the schools that have been recruiting me and offered me a scholarship. But today I will be committing to the University of Georgia and making my decision final.”

The Bulldogs now have eight verbal commitments to their 2017 recruiting class. Six of the eight commits are considered 4-star recruits highlighted by a pair of in-state defensive backs William Poole III and Richard LeCounte. Johnson is widely considered a Top 5 offensive guard among his peer group adding a very talented lineman to Georgia’s recruiting efforts.

Georgia 2017 Verbal Commitment List (8)

CB Richard LeCounte III, 5’10”, 180, Liberty County, Riceboro, GA

CB William Poole III, 5-11.5, 180, Hapeville Charter, Atlanta, GA

LB Breon Dixon, 6’0”, 215, Peachtree Ridge HS, Suwanee, GA

LB Jaden Hunter, 6-3, 205, Westlake HS, Atlanta, GA

OG Netori Johnson, 6-3.5, 340, Cedar Grove HS, Ellenwood, GA

OG Justin Shaffer, 6-5, 330, Cedar Grove HS, Ellenwood, GA

QB Jake Fromm, 6-3, 220, Houston County HS, Warner Robins, GA

WR Xavier Jenkins, 6-5, 195, Lowndes HS, Valdosta, GA

Photo credit: 247sports.com; Netori Johnson at Georgia.