3-star WR NiTareon Tuggle commits to Georgia: 'It just felt like home'
During his recruitment, South Bend (Ind.) Northwood three-star wide receiver NiTareon Tuggle gradually realized that he wanted to play college football in the South. He took one step closer to that plan on Tuesday.
Tuggle announced his commitment to Georgia after visiting the Bulldogs on March 25. He chose the Bulldogs over Florida and Oregon.
“It just felt like home,” Tuggle told On3. “The coaches love me and show me nothing but love. I have a good connection with the players. It felt like I was already there. “
The 6-foot-3, 185-pound wideout chose the Bulldogs after releasing his top 10 schools on April 8. Even before revealing his finalists, he was thinking about pledging to a school.
According to Tuggle, Georgia turned up its pursuit of him a week before he arrived in Athens. The effort was led by multiple staffers, including wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon.
While visiting Georgia, Tuggle watched spring practice, spent time with players and went out to dinner in Athens. That collective experience helped seal Tuggle’s decision to become a Bulldog.
“I love the energy around the program right now,” said Tuggle, the No. 476 overall prospect and No. 80 wide receiver in the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking. “Back-to-back national championships, I just love that. When I went up there, the coaches had great energy and hype. I have a great relationship with coach B-Mac outside of football, not just in football. He can teach me how to be a man and that’s what my parents want, the best for me.
“They want somebody that’s going to make sure I’m being developed into a man, not only a football player. I want to compete at the highest level and be developed as much as possible and obviously, Georgia’s the place to be for that.”
Georgia’s coaches made Tuggle feel good about the Bulldogs
McClendon played a key role in Tuggle’s decision to choose Georgia. He likes how McClendon not only has high energy, but also playing experience in college football and the NFL.
“He’s been there, done that,” Tuggle said. “He knows what he’s doing. For me, I’m gonna get developed… He’ll get me where I need to be, and obviously that’s the NFL. Me being under him, learning technique and him taking me under his wing, I feel like I can get where I need to go.”
Smart, and his help leading Georgia to consecutive national titles, has also impressed Tuggle.
“I feel like he’s definitely doing great things right now with the program,” Tuggle said. “The Bulldogs are on top right now, so I want to be a part of that, playing in national championships against the best competition I can play against in the best conference.”