4-star IOL Daniel Calhoun commits to Georgia: 'It already feels like home'

Roswell (Ga.) Walton four-star interior offensive lineman Daniel Calhoun was entering the summer right before his freshman year when he picked up his first college offer. That offer came from the Kirby Smart and the nearby Georgia Bulldogs.

Now entering the summer ahead of his senior year, Calhoun’s recruitment has come full circle as he’s announced his pledge to Georgia over Alabama and Texas.

“It’s crazy because I was in eighth grade just working out at home and my coach called me to tell me that Georgia had offered,” Calhoun told On3. “Georgia’s been the top school for awhile. It’s right down the road and they always produce great offensive linemen.”

Calhoun holds offers from nearly every major college program in the country but no one has been able to replace Georgia at the top since that first offer. Alabama came close given the Crimson Tide’s success and his dad having gone there but everything always led back to Athens for him.

As a recruit Calhoun says he’s been on campus 10 or more times already. All of those experiences have given him a chance to see what life as a player would be like and to connect with the coaches and players.

“Their development is crazy,” said Calhoun, the No. 116 player in the 2024 class. “They send a ton of guys to the NFL every year and I also have a great relationship with the players and coaches. I get along with players like their my brothers and the coaching staff has really connected with my family.

“I talk to the players there a few times a week now. It already feels like home.”

Staying close to home with the back-to-back champions

According to Calhoun, his mind was made up after he watched the Bulldogs win their second consecutive national title. It didn’t hurt that that back-to-back national champions were also only an hour away from home.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and offensive line coach Stacey Searles each also quickly became two of Calhoun’s favorite coaches throughout his recruitment.

“Coach Searles always produces really good offensive linemen and sends linemen to the league every year,” Calhoun said. “Coach Smart is doing his job. You see the games but it all starts in practice and their practices are intense. They run through every thing. Even the walkthroughs aren’t really walkthroughs.

““It means a lot to go there and be able to compete against the best. That’s the only way you’re going to get better. They’re going to push you as you try to make it to the league.”