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BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - Rivals250 wide receiver Van Jefferson seemed to favor Tennessee and Ohio State with just weeks to go before his announcement, but in the final week leading up to today's pledge at Ravenwood High School, the Bulldogs of Georgia made a strong push.
The 6-1, 166-pounder ended all suspense when he donned a cap with the famous Georgia "G," choosing to become a Bulldog over the Buckeyes, Volunteers, and Florida Gators.
"For the next four years, I will be playing at the University of Georgia," he said.
Jefferson is the No. 23 wide receiver and No. 207 overall prospect nationally, and the No. 10 player in Tennessee in the latest edition of the Rivals.com prospect rankings. He plans to take his big-play threat to Athens, Georgia for his college days. Jefferson is the son of former NFL and Central Florida wide receiver (and current Tennessee Titans wide receivers coach) Shawn Jefferson, and played his first two years of high school ball at Orchard Lake (Mich.) St. Mary's Prep before moving to Tennessee at the beginning of his junior season.
He cited his closeness with the entire UGA offensive staff in his decision to give his word to Mark Richt.
Jefferson's recruitment may not be at its conclusion, though. Prior to making his pledge, he expressed interest in taking the full complement of five official visits. He planned to speak with the Georgia coaching staff about these intentions. In addition to his other finalists, Michigan State is likely to receive the final official visit.
"I would like to get the full official visit experience," he said. "That's something I'm going to talk to them about. I don't know yet, but we'll talk about it."
His father expounded on the opportunity for other schools to get in the mix.
"I'm sure people will be calling us, giving us phone calls," Shawn Jefferson said. "He was raised right, and we've taught him that as a man, his word means something to him. We'll explained that we're committed to Georgia."
Jefferson caught 87 passes for 1,257 yards (14.7 yards per reception) and 14 touchdowns as a junior, and opened his senior season with two touchdown grabs in a 56-14 win against Smyrna (Tenn.) Stewarts Creek. Ravenwood travels to Clarksville High School Friday for Jefferson's first game as a future Bulldog.
Jefferson is Georgia's 21st verbal commitment.
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