4-star LB Christian Gass names top three schools, sets commitment date

June was a busy month for Covington (Ga.) Eastside four-star linebacker Christian Gass. He took official visits to Florida, USC, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee.

After continuing to work through his process, Gass now sees the finish line in his recruitment. He tells On3 that he will announce his commitment on July 20 and will choose between the Bulldogs, Volunteers and Trojans.

There are plenty of factors that will play into Gass’ final decision, but it’s relationships with the coaching staffs that really helped separate his top three.

“The people are definitely a big factor, going to each school, there’s some I’ve been to once, some I’ve been to a couple times. The people I could tell are real genuine. On top of that, the coaches at each program are all coaches I feel like I could learn from. Those are all coaches that not only care about football, but care about me as a person. That’s what’s really big to me,” Gass said.

Gass says he currently has an idea of where he’s going to land in just over two weeks time. The 6-foot-2.5, 220-pounder has been searching for comfortability and that home feel when he’s on campus. In addition to his relationships around each program, Gass is also focused on finding the right fit for him when it comes to his career after football.

“Having that comfortable family feeling. Real genuine people around me. Whatever program it is, I’ve just got to have that. On top of that, academics and life after football, then how the program utilizes me. I want a program that’s going to be able to show everything I can do on film,” Gass said of what will play into his decision.

“Life after football at each program, they definitely prioritize that,” he added. They know what they’ve got to do for when you hang up your cleats and put that helmet down. That’s big for me.”

Gass is the No. 285 overall prospect and No. 30 LB in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 33 player in Georgia.

Gass breaks down his top three schools

Georgia: “Every time I come it gets better and better, as coach (Glenn) Schumann told me. Coach Schumann, his work speaks for itself, there’s a lot of linebackers that came under him. Knowing that I can be taught from him, knowing what he has taught me already, being in his film sessions and seeing how he teaches, those are all things that I could see myself in. He always tells me he’s going to make me the best version of me, and that’s the biggest thing for me because he’s not worried about me being the next guy, he wants me to be the best version of Christian Gass.”

Tennessee: “My big thing was they have real, genuine love, too. Coach (Mike Ekeler), he’s definitely an energy guy. He’s big on energy and told me each and every day that I was a priority and I was important to him, not only as a player but as a person. He really just sits there and watches everything I do and that’s big for me. Going up there and watching film, knowing I can go through their schemes and that I can really understand that, that’s a big thing for me.”

USC: “I’ve been there one time, and it was a good feeling — I’ll be honest it was a great feeling. Each and every person had great energy. Coach (Matt) Entz, seeing him showing me different ways that he can teach me, the different schemes and plays, I can just tell that’s someone I can learn from. Having coach (Bryson Allen-Williams) in the film room teaching me different things and telling me what I can work on, that was all big to me. Most importantly, their life after football, USC being a private school and having a lot of guys who didn’t make it in football, but they have something to back up because it’s a prestigious university.”