Dawgs get Lucky 13
THOMSON - Less than two weeks ago, John Atkins announced his intention to publicly declare his verbal commitment at his high school on the Friday before Labor Day.
He said his ultimate decision would be based on which program he felt most comfortable with. Today, he officially proclaimed that Georgia would be that place.
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"I told Coach Richt. I called him and when I told him he screamed," Atkins said. "I chose Georgia because it's close and my family can come and see games. And once you are a Bulldog, you are a Bulldog forever."
Georgia Tech and Auburn didn't make the cut as Atkins donned the Bulldog hat from his selection across the table. He said it was his strong relationship with the players and coaches that helped made him feel at home.
"I have a very strong relationship with Coach O (Kirk Olivadotti). He wrote me a whole paragraph saying how he liked that I was becoming a Dawg," Atkins said. "I also have a very strong relationship with Ray Drew. He was a big part of the whole recruiting process."
The 6-foot-3, 294-pound senior was recruited to play both nose-three technique and outside rusher for Georgia, though he suited up on offensive line and tight end last year for his team.
He said he will be taking his official the weekend of the South Carolina game and plans to be at many of the home games this year.
Atkins will be the 13th 2012 commit for UGA, joining the Bulldogs' defensive line class of Jenkins County defensive tackle Jonathan Taylor and Georgia Military College defensive end Jalen Fields.
Thomson faces off against Lakeside at 7:30 tonight and Atkins said he is ready to get on and focus on the season.
"Things are gonna get ugly at Lakeside."