Georgia State picks up 3 football commitments

Georgia State has picked up its first three football commitments for 2012. All three are from out of state.

A pair from Alabama’s Dothan High School, linebacker Joseph Peterson and offensive lineman Aaron Thomas, will be following an assistant to Georgia State. Eldrick Hill, who was Dothan’s defensive coordinator the past three years, will be joining Georgia State as a graduate assistant or intern, according to Dothan head coach Kelvis White.

“They had a lot to do with it; [Hill] has a great relationship with both players and their families,” White told the AJC on Sunday.

The 6-foot, 210-pound Peterson picked Georgia State over Western Kentucky. He also had an early offer from Southern Miss, called to commit, and was told that the school had already filled up at the linebacker position with three commitments. Peterson, who has a 3.0 GPA and plans study to be a physical therapist, said his coach’s presence at Georgia State made it an easy choice.

Miramar LB Bryan Williams committed to Georgia State

“It had a lot of impact on my decision,” Peterson said. “I loved playing under him in high school with the way he coaches. I wanted to play a few more years with Coach Hill in college. I talked with my family and prayed about everything; Georgia State was the right place for me.”

Thomas, a 6-3, 300-pounder who projects to play offensive guard in college, opted to join his coach and  teammate at Georgia State. Thomas, who has a 2.8 GPA and wants to study to be a surgeon or something related in the medical field, picked Georgia State over South Alabama.

“Georgia State is not too close to home, but it’s also not too far away,” Thomas said. “I like the football team, the coaches and city of Atlanta. Joseph and I have been talking for a while about playing together at Georgia State, so we went ahead and made it happen. Coach Hill will be there, too, which is good because I’ll know some people when I get there.”

Said White, “Joseph is a high motor guy who goes all out on every play. Aaron is a big, strong and physical kid … Georgia State is getting two outstanding young men who can step in right away and play.”

Also, Miramar (Fla.) linebacker Bryan Williams committed to Georgia State, which was his only offer. The 6-3, 200-pounder said he had interest from numerous other schools, including South Florida, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Middle Tennessee State, Florida Atlantic, and Central Florida.

Williams led his team in tackles last year and has been clocked in the 40-yard dash at 4.69 seconds. He has a 2.9 GPA and plans to be in law enforcement. “I want to take crime off the street and make the world better.”

– By Michael Carvell, AJC Recruiting Blog Got a recruiting item? mcarvell@ajc.com

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