Robert Beal, the top-ranked defensive end in the country, committed to Georgia.
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Beal, the No. 5-ranked recruit in the 2017 ESPN 300 and the 30th-ranked prospect in the 247Sports Composite, is from Norcross, Ga. His commitment marks the second time in the past five years the state’s top-ranked prospect chose to play for UGA, ESPN notes.
Before landing Beal, Georgia had the No. 6-ranked recruiting class in the nation, and the team now boasts eight ESPN 300 commitments, including two five-star defensive players — Beal and safety Richard LeCounte.
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Beal originally committed to Notre Dame, his favorite team as a kid, in November 2015, according to 247Sports, but he decommitted from the Fighting Irish in February. Alabama was then considered the favorite for Beal, and in addition to Georgia, Alabama and Notre Dame, he was also considering Florida State and 32 other programs.
Beal said the relationship he built with new Georgia coach Kirby Smart, formerly the defensive coordinator at Alabama, helped persuade him to stay in his home state.
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"It's been great ever since he has been at Georgia," Beal said, per ESPN. "You know, he has been on me, and we talk all the time. It's not really recruiting we talk about all the time, I just keep him updated on everything with me. He's different from everybody else because we don't talk recruiting much."
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound edge rusher added, "I'm just a homegrown guy. I love my home, I love my state and I want to help bring a national championship back to Georgia."