4-star EDGE Chase Linton commits to Georgia: 'Georgia has family, football and culture'

North Atlanta four-star EDGE Chase Linton committed to Rutgers early in June before backing off that pledge earlier this fall. Right before he committed to the Scarlet Knights, he camped at Georgia. He returned to Athens in July, and after that visit, the Bulldogs offered. That changed his recruitment.

On Aug. 17, Linton opened his recruitment back up. He was at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the Georgia-Clemson game. Then he returned for his official visit when the Bulldogs hosted Mississippi State. Linton was between the hedges to see Georgia knock off Tennessee too.

The No. 140 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking has committed to Georgia over Georgia Tech and Rutgers.

“I committed to Georgia because of the people,” Linton told On3. “Coach Diribe, coach Smart and the people at Georgia made a difference. How they talk to me and my family, how concerned they are about my future as a man and the kind of people around the program at Georgia stood out to me.”

Georgia was different than what Linton thought it would be

The more Linton visited Athens, the more he learned about the people and the program. It was different than what he thought at the beginning.

“Before I got to know the people at Georgia, I assumed it was more business and just football, football, football. As me and my family saw them more, we learned they are about development of young men and that is their goal. It was refreshing. Georgia is about football, but there is more to Georgia than just football. That was something we loved.”

He loves the football side of Georgia too. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound pass rusher is excited to play for the coaches in Athens and the culture they have built.

“When I watched the players walk in at the Tennessee game, I got chills,” Linton said. “It is exciting at Georgia. It is a top program and just thinking about playing in an environment like that has me excited.

“Coach Diribe has pushed for me hard. He is a good and genuine person that wanted me and he is a great coach. Coach Smart is a winning coach. They push their players. Georgia is a top program and it was hard imagining myself at a place like this when I first started getting recruited.

“Georgia has family, football and culture. All three were important to me.”