Thomas Blackshear, an in-state wide receiver, chooses Georgia over Tennessee.
A standout player for Savannah opted for the Bulldogs over the Volunteers.
It was just a matter of time until Georgia’s 2025 recruiting class saw the impact of James Coley’s recruiting skills.
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 practice 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 scheme, he most likely projects as a Z receiver. Tennessee and other programs spoke about having Blackshear play defensive back as well.
On that point, though, Coley had a humorous message for Blackshear.
Blackshear laughed and remarked, “Coach Coley was saying he saw my defensive film, and didn’t want to let the DB coach know about that.”
In the 247Sports rankings, Blackshear is rated as a 3-star recruit; however, the 247Sports composite rates him as a 4-star. According to the 247Sports composite rankings, he is the 323rd best player in the country overall.
The first wide receiver in Georgia’s 2025 recruiting class is Blackshear. Thanks to his pledge, Georgia moves up to the No. 11 recruiting class in the cycle, surpassing Wake Forest, Texas A&M, and Arizona State.
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