Rico Johnson: UGA gets commitment No. 19
UGA’s newest recruit, Rico Johnson, cried after was he was offered a football scholarship at Saturday’s Mark Richt Camp.
They were tears of joy.
“That was my dream school; I always wanted to go there,” Johnson told the AJC. “I told myself if I ever got an offer from Georgia, that would be the school I would go to.”
Mark Richt picked up a new commitment after losing two earlier this week (AP photo)
The 5-foot-11, 171-pound Johnson is a wide receiver and defensive back from Swainsboro High School. He picked UGA over offers from Appalachian State and Marshall. He was virtually unknown to recruiters because he was ineligible to play last season as a junior after transferring high schools.
On Saturday, Johnson earned an offer on the spot after a dazzling performance, including being clocked at 4.25 and 4.28 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
Toward the end of camp, UGA coach Mark Richt called Johnson over to speak. “He said ‘How would you like to be a Dawg?’ It made me cry. I went over and talked to my coach and my mom. Then I went back over to Coach Richt and gave him my full commitment to be a Dawg. He gave me a hug and said ‘Welcome to the Dawg family.’”
Even though Johnson is a little-known recruit, he was a big commitment for UGA – the Bulldogs had a rough week after 5-star RB Derrick Henry and WR Kyrin Priester de-committed earlier this week. UGA needed to regain some momentum, and got it with Johnson. He’s the reigning Class AA state champion the 100-meter dash.
UGA now has 19 commitments for its 2013 football recruiting class.
“I knew I had a great day at camp, but I didn’t know I was going to get an offer,” Johnson said. “What a day.”
UGA commits for 2013
- QB Brice Ramsey, 6-3, 190, Camden County HS
- S Tray Matthews, 6-2, 205, Newnan HS
- DB Shaq Wiggins, 5-10, 160, Sandy Creek HS
- DB Steven Nelson, 6-0, 185, College of Sequoias JC (Northside-WR HS)
- DT Chris Mayes, 6-4, 295, Mississippi Gulf Coast JC (Spalding HS)
- DT DeAndre “Moose” Johnson, 6-3, 311, Northgate HS
- WR Tramel Terry, 6-0, 185, Goose Creek, S.C.
- LB Johnny O’Neal, 6-1, 230, West Laurens HS
- OL Aulden Bynum, 6-5, 250, Valwood HS
- LB Ryne Rankin, 6-1, 231, Orlando, Fla.
- LB Reggie Carter, 6-1, 220, South Gwinnett HS
- ATH JJ Green, 5-9, 178, Camden County HS
- DB Reggie Wilkerson, 6-0, Citron, Fla.
- OL Josh Cardiello, 6-4, 280, Buford HS
- OL Brandon Kublanow, 6-3, 290, Walton HS
- WR Uriah LeMay, 6-1, 200, Matthews, N.C.
- WR Reggie Davis, 6-1, 155, Tallahassee, Fla.
- OLB Naim Mustafaa, 6-4, 235, Alpharetta HS
- WR-DB Rico Johnson, 5-11, 171, Swainsboro HS
CHECK BACK ANY MINUTE FOR ANOTHER COMMIT …
- POINT GUARD U? Georgia Tech picks up one of the top 15 prospects in the USA
- UGA regains momentum with football commitment No. 19
- State’s No. 1 kicker chooses Tech over Auburn, others
- Rough week: WR recruit de-commits from UGA
- SURPRISE! Robert Nkemdiche, nation’s No. 1 recruit, picks … Clemson
- 4-star linebacker commits to Vanderbilt, switches to Tech, then decides to “re-open” his recruiting
- HEARTBREAKER: UGA’s top recruit de-commits from the Bulldogs
- Top Alabama recruit shoots down … the UGA rumors
- UGA edges out Georgia Tech in rare head-to-head battle for in-state recruit
- Steve Spurrier strikes again: Two Georgia commits in two days
- Nick Saban finally lands a Georgia QB for Alabama
BEST OF THE REST
- Hmmm … Florida and UGA agree to NOT host recruits for annual showdown
- UGA football signee forced to delay enrollment
- Mark Richt has a little secret
- Nick Saban on his Georgia recruiting success: “Well, I still have a home in Georgia”
– By Michael Carvell, AJC Recruiting Blog
- So much is happening so fast. Have you missed anything over the last few days? Catch up with our feed by CLICKING HERE
- BOOKMARK the NEW AJC Recruiting homepage here
Got an item? mcarvell@ajc.com
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571 comments Add your comment
Blackoutanyone?
June 16th, 2012
7:42 pm
Awesome story! Love when a kid gets that offer from his childhood favorite. Would question the legitimacy of that 40 time though. Congrats to this young man! Roll Tide
Randall "Pink" Floyd
June 16th, 2012
7:46 pm
Serious speed. Congrats, kid.
Thomas Brown
June 16th, 2012
7:46 pm
We were not reeling.
“Mr. Brown, you and your brethen constantly trash Atlanta. Now you spout off this? You truelly are bipolar.”
_________________________________
Show me 1 post where I trashed Atlanta ? You run in here and make this statement, but not under your regular handle because you know I will post your BS right back in your face, when I have never trashed Atlanta, while my post was most certainly in reply the crimson1 post I replied to.
crimson1 June 15th, 2012 5:27 pm
“The only thing Georgia got going for itself is Atlanta. The poor man’s New York City. It smells of strong urine and gun powder. Other than that, there is no difference between Georgia and Alabama.”
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Atlanta with 6 million is greater by itself than the entire state of Alabama with a population of just 4 million 8 hundred thousand. Huntsville makes whole state of Alabama better than the city of Atlanta ?
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A person SMART enough to know…… June 16th, 2012 11:46 am
“And a SILLY NERD Created The Masters you Moron Jack-wad.”
____________________________________________________
Pardon me, Bobby Jones golfed not 1 golf ball for Georgie tek – not ever. He was never on the Georgie tek golf team and not once represented Georgie tek in golf – never.
Douglas
June 16th, 2012
7:47 pm
The time may not be done by an olympic timer but it is still fast….look at how much speed we have on offense now on receiver particularly if we can get mitchell back on the offensive side of the ball.
bucket
June 16th, 2012
7:48 pm
Congratulations Rico! This young man will get alot more interest during his senior season. Hopefully he meant it when he said UGA was his dream school.
Greyshirt_ne_1?
June 16th, 2012
7:53 pm
Probably more like 4.38 – 4.40 actual time which is still blistering fast. Good job Rico.
hAppy State
June 16th, 2012
7:53 pm
How dare you UGA peoples steal one of our Div. II recruits!
Marshalls is all mad too
GtDawg
June 16th, 2012
8:01 pm
VIA ESPN, For a guy that folks have accused of not being solid to #UGA, Shaq Wiggins was doing an awful lot of recruiting. Rico Johnson fell prey.
sandiegodawg
June 16th, 2012
8:08 pm
Rico Suave
1eyedJack
June 16th, 2012
8:12 pm
Welcome to Dawg Nation Rico. Fast is fast.
Truth
June 16th, 2012
8:14 pm
Reeling??? Give me a break!!
Chuck UGA
June 16th, 2012
8:14 pm
Looks like some more punt returns and kickoff returns for touchdowns!
Unknown
June 16th, 2012
8:15 pm
I was at the camp and this kid is fast, he was on my team and his 40 time is very legitimate. Fastest kid at camp and looks like James Harden
Paul in NH
June 16th, 2012
8:18 pm
Congrats to Rido Johnson for getting an offer to his dream school – it has to be one of tghe highlights of his life.
I don’t believe the 40 time – that’s faster than Champ Bailey at the combine.
Grantham's The Man!
June 16th, 2012
8:18 pm
Looks like Richt just stole another diamond in the rough! 4.25, see ya!
Grantham's The Man!
June 16th, 2012
8:21 pm
Something tells me that the WR prospect that just decomitted, can’t run a 4.25 forty. Some things just work out for the best.
Tampa Gator
June 16th, 2012
8:22 pm
@GT Dawg….
Even though he is still solid to Georgia, Shag Wiggins recently camped in Gainesville and now has
the Gators listed as a “solid” number two (according to the Gainesville Sun) behind the Dawgs. The Gator coaches will continue to recuit him until they hear one way or another with Hargraves. If Hargraves commits to the Gators and not FSU, then Wiggins will stick with Georgia for sure. If Hargraves goes elsewhere, expect the Gators to go hard after Wiggins…..because he HAS shown a lot of interest in Florida.
cdpridg
June 16th, 2012
8:23 pm
How bout it Dawgs…..4.25!
Tampa Gator
June 16th, 2012
8:26 pm
@Grantham’s the Man…..
Johnson might turn out to be a great receiver……but running 4.25 forty does not make you one…..just ask Deonte Thompon (Florida receiver) who was one of the top recruits in the country and runs and 4.28 (NFL combine clocked speed)…..and went undrafted and was a major disappointment for the Gators.
GtDawg
June 16th, 2012
8:26 pm
There were reports he was the best athlete out there. Stock gonna soar once he gets back on the field if it hasn’t already. Wait, whats that I hear? Saban snaking.”Ill give you an offer if you commit today”. lol
slydog
June 16th, 2012
8:28 pm
Plain and simple: I’d rather have this kid than Derrick Henry.
GtDawg
June 16th, 2012
8:29 pm
@Tampa Gator its called Rock Star status, Recruits love attention.
Jacket Man
June 16th, 2012
8:29 pm
First, I would like to congratulate Rico and his family. This is a tremendous opportunity that he has seized, and one he obviously appreciates. Congratulations to Coach Richt for recognizing the young man’s talent and desire to play for UGA; with that combination, he can go far for the Bulldogs.
One final comment, while his offer list wasn’t large, it wasn’t necessarily reflective of his talent, so for all you Bulldog “fans” who find your way over to the Tech blog every time we get a new commitment, please take a good look in the mirror.
slydog
June 16th, 2012
8:30 pm
@Tampa Gator
Deonte Thompson, just like most of the offensive players Meyer recruited, was an athlete, not a true football player with a defined position or role. square pegs and round holes all over the place.
kingdaddy
June 16th, 2012
8:33 pm
B.O. anyone,
Good post mate. Hard to believe a track-star playing was not on recruiters radar. If he works out, CMR deserves an ata-boy…
collegeballfan
June 16th, 2012
8:35 pm
“…being clocked at 4.25 and 4.28 seconds in the 40-yard dash.”
I would have signed him sight unseen with these numbers. Nobody on the planet can coach 4.2 in the 40.
Good move UGA!
ryan
June 16th, 2012
8:35 pm
Hey@Tampa Tunsil has been in Athens since Thursday from few sources and Ruben Foster from the sound of it has been having a great time with the coach’s Johnson is a great trade from Priester just shows if you work hard it pays off love kid attitude .
kingdaddy
June 16th, 2012
8:35 pm
Playing FOOTBALL, sorry y’all …
Congrats to posters
June 16th, 2012
8:37 pm
Vast majority not bashing a young man they have never met like many threads turn into. Good to hear discussion about the article. Would like to see more of this no matter whether we are talking about a recruit to Tech, UGA, UT, Bama, Auburn, Florida, SC, you name it.
ryan
June 16th, 2012
8:40 pm
Got some news UGA is back in it for Brandon Langley from Rusty Mansell 247sports getting some good news after a rough week .
kingdaddy
June 16th, 2012
8:43 pm
W/R? NO, NO, NO! I’ll take a 4.25 C.B. ALL DAY! GOOD JOB COACH RICHT! Love his attitude about UGA, but of course derrick always wanted to be a Doggie too. We might have an opening at LB for henry if he “RE-CHANGES” his mind…
bitter coach grantham
June 16th, 2012
8:43 pm
sicim dawgs—————–this kid is sooooo fasttttttt, —-good luck young-in
—-to all dawg haters————————-laugh now punks
zbulldawg
June 16th, 2012
8:44 pm
And it keeps on COMING ! Gonna what to be a DAWG to be a BULLDAWG ! Let The Big Dawg EAT
Game Changer
June 16th, 2012
8:46 pm
Congratulations Rico
It is starting to be a joke about the times UGA claims these kids are running.
Dionn Sanders fastest time was a 4.21, normally he was a 4.29. AMAZINGLY, UGA has had two players in one week, one a10th grader, now a unknown DB, run as fast or faster than D Sanders.
YOU CANNOT MAKE THIS KIND OF STUFF UP
kingdaddy
June 16th, 2012
8:47 pm
Bitter for UGA PRESIDENT!!!
Gamecock in Georgia
June 16th, 2012
8:49 pm
Looks like you guys are getting desperate. This guy is not even rated…
kingdaddy
June 16th, 2012
8:50 pm
G.C.
Last night I posted a 4.41 going to the bathroom…
whamo
June 16th, 2012
8:51 pm
track stars rarely turn into great wide recievers.
Gamecock in Georgia
June 16th, 2012
8:51 pm
Let me see you lost Henry and Priester and you think this is not a drop off. U guys are idiots.
kingdaddy
June 16th, 2012
8:52 pm
Gamecrow in Jawja
Even G.T. has 5 SEC TITLES…STFU-DA…
whamo
June 16th, 2012
8:53 pm
must have been the uga s & c guy cloking, he aways subtracts .4 of a second from the times.
in 2010 pre season camp, 50% f the team clocked olpmyic times in the 40 yard.
then we went 6 & 7 when the games started, and found out the old “substract 4/10ths” trick didn’t work.
Gamecock in Georgia
June 16th, 2012
8:54 pm
AAnd how many do u have u idot…
kingdaddy
June 16th, 2012
8:54 pm
Not wr dum-a$$, db, db, db…
Game Changer
June 16th, 2012
8:54 pm
kingdaddy: I think the coaches are now smoking some of IC special stuff
whamo
June 16th, 2012
8:54 pm
we stole this kid away from Appalachian State.
wow, how did Bama and LSU miss this guy….
LOL.
Ole Big Dawg
June 16th, 2012
8:54 pm
Cock..saban…ball sack and chump have been running in Richts footsteps for months now.
kingdaddy
June 16th, 2012
8:55 pm
Gamecrow
12 MORE THAN YOU LOSER…
Gamecock in Georgia
June 16th, 2012
8:55 pm
Kingaddy uare one of those idiot UGA fans with unreal expectations. Get use to it as we own the East and we own u idiots.
whamo
June 16th, 2012
8:55 pm
W00 HOO, ANOTHER 1 STAR RECRUIT.
IS THIS THE BEST WE CAN DO?
Gamecock in Georgia
June 16th, 2012
8:56 pm
You lost 4 games last year and we finished 7th so get use to it DA