Sony a perfect connection

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American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) running back Sony Michel has been a household name since he was in the eighth grade, and on Friday, he decided that Georgia is where he will play his college ball.

Michel made the announcement live on ESPNU just before 5 p.m. on Friday.

"I'm going to be going to college at the University of Georgia," Michel said while putting on a UGA hat.

The five-star prospect chose Georgia over Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame, and Miami, and was one of, if not the, top targets on the Bulldogs' board at the position.

In January Michel told UGASports that UGA running backs coach Bryan McClendon was a coach that he had bonded with as much as any other coach recruiting him.

That plus the fact that the Georgia coaching staff rolled out the red carpet for Michel in both of his visits to the Athens is what helped Bulldogs land the elite talent.

He becomes Georgia's fifth verbal commitment for the 2014 class, following Charlotte tight end Jeb Blazevich who committed to the Bulldogs on Tuesday.

Earlier this year, Michel spoke about the Bulldogs and what stood out about the Georgia program.

"The visits were great. It was a different experience for me to go to Georgia," said Michel. "It was something I had never seen before. I met a lot of people. I met some of the recruits that were coming in, some of the class of 2014 kids, and some of the kid that's already there. I got a chance to meet those kids."

The Bulldog coaching staff made it known that Michel is a top priority for the 2014 class while he was on campus, but it didn't stop there.

"Me and Coach McClendon, we actually have a good relationship," he said. "We talk on the phone probably, I would say, almost every week. With me and Coach (Mark) Richt, both times I've went up there me and him sat one-on-one and talked. He's a great coach and a great person."

Another reason that Georgia nosed its way into contention for Michel has to do with its success running the football.

"They run the ball," said Michel when asked what makes Georgia appealing from a system or scheme standpoint. "That's basically what every running back wants to see, and they run the ball. Hopefully, if I go there, I'll be able to do different things besides run the ball. I'd be able to catch the ball."

Michel sees UGA as a suitable option in another fashion that might surprise some.

"Georgia, it would be a great fit just because they have two great backs," he said. "A lot of people would probably be like 'why are you going there?' With those two running backs, you want to go somewhere you can compete. Everything in life is not just handed to you. You want to go up there and just compete."

Sony isn't the only running back being targeted by the Bulldogs for 2014.

Georgia is also hot on the trail for Cedartown standout Nick Chubb, who has named the Bulldogs as his favorite, although rival South Carolina continues to make a push for his services.

More to come.

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