Elite 2024 LB Demarcus Riddick commits to Georgia

Early in June of 2021, Demarcus Riddick left the small town of Clanton (Ala.) for Athens (Ga.) to camp at Georgia. He was an impressive athlete, but coming off the season affected by a pandemic, not many knew just how special Riddick was.

He showed Georgia’s coaching staff that day. After doing the drills at a high level and being timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.4-seconds, Kirby Smart offered Riddick. From that moment on, Georgia made Riddick a top target and he committed to the Bulldogs.

“I always wanted to go to Georgia,” Riddick told On3. “I grew up a Georgia fan, so when I got the offer, I knew it was a school I loved. Once I got to know the coaches, took some visits there and knew I felt at home, it was really over.

“I have known for a while that I was going to Georgia. When I at the Oregon game, I looked at my mom and told her that I felt like part of the Georgia family. When we left that game, I knew I was going to Georgia.”

Riddick is the No. 46 prospect in the 2024 On3 Consensus and he is Georgia’s 6th commitment for this cycle.

Glenn Schumman played a role in Riddick’s commitment

Glenn Schumann he developed a strong reputation as a coach and recruiter. His resume grows each year. Last year, Schumann sent Nakobe Dean, Channing Tindall and Quay Walker to the NFL. Riddicks believes in Georgia’s linebackers coach.

“Coach Schumann played a pretty big role,” Riddick said. “We talk all the time about family and football. I love him as a person and a coach. He coaches up his players, he pushes his guys and he cares about his players like he does his kids.”

Since the first experience working with Schumann at camp 16 months ago, the two have built a strong relationship.

“I am close with coach Schumann. I camped with him last year and this year. We have talked almost every day for a while now and I trust in him. We are like family. I love how he talks to me and I love he is open with me. As a person, he is amazing and that carries over to the field. His coaches style is what I want. He will coach me hard, yell at me when I need it and then care for me all of the time.”

Riddick wants to keep the good times going in Athens

Georgia is coming off a national championship. Smart and his staff are recruiting at a high level and that is carrying over to the field. Riddick doesn’t see things slowing down.

“Going to Georgia, I am going to be a winner,” Riddick said. “I will go there, work hard and be part of the great consistently at Georgia. Coach Smart, coach Schumann and the coaches at Georgia are the best. I can’t wait to get there so the coaches lead me, teach me and we get to win together.”

Smart has taken Georgia to another level. He played at Georgia, he loves Georgia and the four-star linebacker is excited about playing for him.

“Coach Smart has that fire. He is a Kirby a defensive coach with great energy and high intensity. He just wants to be the best. I love the man coach Smart is. We have had some great talks, playing for him, he is going to make me the best. I can’t wait to play for a winner like coach Smart.”

Riddick made the call to coach Schumann first last week. Then he called and gave coach Smart the news about his commitment. He was welcomed to the family and when Riddick returns to Athens Saturday for the Tennessee game, he will enter Sanford Stadium as a commitment.

“Georgia is just the fit for me. I can’t wait to be part of the school, the program and pat of one of the best teams in college football. Georgia is where I want to be. I have known that for a long time.”