4-star OT Nyier Daniels chooses Georgia: 'It was a no-brainer for me'

Georgia is a long way from home for Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic four-star offensive tackle Nyier Daniels. And coming into the new year, he’d heard very little from the two-time defending national champions.

That changed in January when the Bulldogs extended him an offer on January 2. It took some time for him to learn more about the program. And it was defensive backs coach Fran Brown — who has extensive ties in the Northeast — who was in his ear the most.

A little more than six months after the offer came, Daniels made public his commitment to Georgia Friday night on the On3 YouTube channel. The Bulldogs won out over Texas, Florida State, Rutgers and Penn State.

“What makes Georgia is the people,” he told On3. “Their mindset, their development, it is different. It was a no-brainer for me to go to Georgia. “[On my official visit] they showed me the plan as soon as I get there, from freshman year to sophomore year and so on. They kept showing me the plan and how I would develop there.”

Connection to Fran Brown was key for Nyier Daniels

Had it now been for Brown though, it’s likely that Daniels wouldn’t be committed to the Red and Black right now. The secondary coach was at Rutgers back when Daniels was a freshman, and their relationship started from there.

“Coach Fran was a day one guy for me,” he said. “He was a very big part of my decision — when I was a freshman, he told me I would be special. I didn’t take it too seriously, but I always remembered those words. I took it in and I listened, and look what happened. Everything Coach Fran is about all comes into it for me, the trust, the communication and how real he is,”

Once that connection was made, offensive line coach Stacy Searels took over from there. Daniels got to campus for a spring practice, and the two really got a chance to talk.

“We talked football, we have talked family, and I have met his wife and they are a great duo,” Daniels said. “My first visit to Georgia for a spring practice, we sat down and really got to know each other. With Coach Searels, it is about that player development. We have a strong connection too, and he is the guy I will spend the most time with, so I want him to help me become who I want to be and get me to the NFL.”

Georgia’s recent success and Kirby Smart were important factors

The Bulldogs are coming off back-to-back national titles and also hold the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class. The success they’re having and what Daniels witnessed from Kirby Smart in their time together really helped seal his decision on his official visit.

“I gave Georgia a silent commitment after my official visit,” he said. “I had a good visit in the spring, but my official visits was very important. I saw the whole package, and it has everything I am looking for.”

Smart, in particular, stood out to him.

“I love everything he is doing. I love how he operates,” Nyier Daniels added. “I have been around his family and Coach Smart is just a really cool dude. He is an energy guy. And he is so detailed. He doesn’t miss a beat. It is very exciting to be a part of the Georgia program with Coach Smart as the head coach, and I know he is going to keep Georgia going.”