Georgia efforting another flip from Alabama's 2017 recruiting class
It has been a turbulent start to the 2017 recruiting cycle for Alabama, and the ride may get a little more bumpy in the early going if Georgia has its way.
Former Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart flipped 2017 Crimson Tide QB commitment Jake Fromm last week, encouraging the four-star to join him with the Bulldogs.
Later that day, four-star running back Cam Akers revealed that he was going to back off his commitment to Alabama.
Those are disappointing developments for Alabama, but there is no reason to push the panic button for a program that has proven its ability to attract the nation’s biggest and fastest on its way to what is seemingly an annual award for the top recruiting class in the country.
That being said, it appears as though Georgia has its eyes on yet another Alabama commitment.
According to a report from SEC Country, defensive end prospect Aaron Sterling, who is from the Atlanta area, is paying attention to guys deciding to play at Georgia instead of Alabama.
Sterling, a Stephenson High School standout who has been committed to Alabama since Christmas Day, has noticed the in-state Bulldogs making a run at these elite prospects who are also considering the Tide.
“A lot of the people in my class that stay in Georgia are committed to Georgia,” Sterling told SEC Country. “It makes you wonder like, ‘Ah, I just want to go play with my friends.’ There’s also a business side to this, too, and you have to see where you fit for yourself.”
Sterling reportedly recorded 23.5 sacks at Stephenson High School during his junior season in 2015.
Dawg Nation’s Jeff Sentell reports that Sterling, who has regularly attended Georgia games, has become a valued target for the Bulldogs:
“I’m a priority for them in the 2017 class because they need pass rushers off the end,” (Sterling) said. “They want me to play defensive end. Some of the schools are at defensive tackle, but I really can play both.”
If he decided to abandon his commitment, there’s assuredly another quality defensive end that would be thrilled to take his place.
But it is worth watching the recruiting dynamic between the Georgia and Alabama programs, given the history of their coaching staffs.