Mark Richt has the support of one of the state of Georgia’s top recruits for the 2017 season.

“It would really be a shame if something happened to Mark Richt because he’s done millions of things for that program,” Nate McBride said. “He has brought them up. Even before him, they had not won a national championship since Herschel Walker. It is not just him, but every year something happens like a player gets hurt. UGA is a front-runner every year with Richt. I don’t know if one player can help him out, but I am just trying to help.”

The junior from Vidalia High School said he was trying to help Richt and his coaching staff with his support.

McBride is ranked as the nation’s No. 4 inside linebacker for 2017 by the 247 composite rankings. A strong tackler with outstanding speed, McBride is listed as a 5-star recruit and the nation’s No. 1 ILB by Rivals.

McBride missed this season with injuries suffered in a car accident. Although he said he is strongly considering Georgia, he said he would not choose the Bulldogs if Richt and his staff were fired.