It was just a matter of time until Georgia’s 2025 recruiting class saw the impact of James Coley’s recruiting skills.
Thomas Blackshear, a wide receiver from Savannah, Georgia’s Calvary Day School, announced his choice to play for the Dawgs on Sunday, giving Georgia their ninth commitment for the 2025 class. Georgia was preferred by the 6-foot-1, 187-pound recruit over Tennessee and eighteen other offers.
Thomas Blackshear was the first wide receiver to join the team.
The wide receiver from Calvary Day (Ga.) told Dawgs247 that he chose Georgia over Tennessee and Florida State on Sunday. In the end, Blackshear decided between Georgia and Tennessee in a fight. He informed the Georgia coaches last week that he was prepared to make a choice.
According to Blackshear, “I texted Coach Coley and told him I’m ready to be a Dawg,” Dawgs247 reported. “He gave me a call. He was energised. He expressed his eagerness for me to arrive there.”
This spring, the 6-foot-1, 197-pound receiver made a few trips to Georgia. His first contacts in the recruitment process at Georgia were with Bryan McClendon, the former wide receivers coach. Earlier this year, Blackshear told Dawgs247 that in order to forge a connection with Coley akin to his with McClendon, he would have to mend his relationship with the latter.
That obviously occurred quickly.
On Sunday, Blackshear gave praise to the Georgia coaches for his choice.
“Watching the coaches practise and getting to know them better during my visit helped me.” I made my decision after speaking with Coach Kirby and Coach Coley,” Blackshear remarked. “It was definitely the coaching staff.”
Blackshear averaged over 20 yards per reception in eight games during the previous season, totaling 551 yards and five touchdowns. On the ground, he also gained 10 yards per run on average.
Due of Blackshear’s aptitude for aggressiveness, some have compared him to another wide receiver that Coley signed.
“He’s really been telling me that I’ll be a great wide receiver at Georgia,” Blackshear stated. “I remind him of George Pickens a little bit.”
Blackshear plays on both sides of the ball at Calvary Day, but in Georgia’s offence, he most likely projects as a Z receiver. Tennessee and other programmes spoke about having Blackshear play defensive back as well.
On that point, though, Coley had a humorous message for Blackshear.
