4-star OL Juan Gaston commits to Georgia: 'My heart told me where I needed to be'

Atlanta Westlake offensive lineman Juan Gaston took his time with the recruiting process. The 6-foot-7, 360-pound four-star is not a man of many words. The No. 187 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking quietly took unofficial visits last year and the first part of this year to narrow his list down.

Georgia, Oregon, South Carolina and Tennessee were Gastont’s top four schools and they received official visits. It was a tight battle until the end, when Gaston decided to stay home and be a Bulldog.

“I took my time and I made my decision this week,” Gaston told On3. “I was playing basketball and things started slow in 9th grade. Things started speeding up in the 10th grade and I maintained things in the 11th grade before it got more serious.

“Throughout the recruiting process, I stayed pretty neutral in my head and kept an open mind. This week, my heart told me it was Georgia, so that is why I picked them.”

Gaston has visited Athens more than any other college city. Georgia offered him early. Kirby Smart made him a priority and his staff and team were both factors in this decision.

“When I was working to make my decision, how I bonded with the players and the coaches were two of the biggest things for me. My bond with the position coach was especially important, so coach Stacy Searels and I have really bonded. Then how close I have gotten to some players on the team at Georgia was big too. How Georgia is that winning program also had them high on my list.”

Oregon was his dream school, South Carolina made him feel like part of the family in Columbia and Tennessee was stiff competition for Georgia, but after many long nights, Gaston decided to stay home.

“It was a tough decision, but my heart told me where I needed to be,” Gaston said. “I am committed to Georgia and done with the process.”