With a commitment date set, CJ Madden cuts list to five

Auburn came in with an offer Wednesday evening. The Tigers are just too late.

Tennessee got CJ Madden up to Knoxville over the weekend. The Vols worked Madden out, extended an offer, and they got in just in time.

The 6-foot-3, 239 pound EDGE out of Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove has set a commitment date for September 18 and with a month and half to go, he is down to five schools.

“My top five schools are Colorado, Georgia, Ole Miss, Oregon and Tennessee,” Madden said. “You can really say it is my final five. It is really too late for other schools to come in and build the relationship I need, so this is really my final five schools.

“I will be committing to one of these schools on September 18.”

A big summer

It has been a wild ride for for Madden over the last year to year and a half. He transferred from Arabia Mountain to Cedar Grove over the summer a year ago. There was no spring practice in 2020 because of the pandemic, so he was not evaluated then, and after never being cleared to play as a junior due to the transfer, he missed his junior season.

Not many knew who Madden was until just a few months ago.

Colorado did. They offered early and got him committed, but as more schools got their eyes on Madden, the offers started to flow in. He backed off the commitment to Colorado June 21. Just days before that, he had added offers from Georgia, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss and Washington State.

He continued to pick up offers and that is how he got to this point.

“It was definitely a crazy year,” Madden said. “It was hard not getting to play last year. I played one junior varsity game, and that was it. It was not easy. But I kept working and it has helped me a lot this year. I am ready for a big season.”

Madden came out of his sophomore year around 185 pounds. He has been weighing between 235-240 pounds at each visit or camp this summer. He has hit the weights, he has worked hard on his craft and he is primed for a big senior season.

“I can’t wait. The offers are in and I have my top five schools, so I am ready to focus on my senior season. I haven’t played a real game in a long time, so I am ready.”

The five finalists

The communication has been strong with each of the schools on Madden’s list, but there is something about each program that has helped them land on his list.

COLORADO: “My feelings are still strong for Colorado. I love the coaches, especially coach Brian Michalowski. He was a coach that recruited me early and we have a strong connection. I also love the view there and the environment.”

GEORGIA: “It is nothing but love when I visit Georgia. I have been there four or five times and the coaches, players and recruits show me a lot of love. I am comfortable there.”

OLE MISS: “I worked out at Ole Miss and I liked the vibe. I didn’t get to take the full tour, but I liked the coaches and I really like coach Randall Joyner. He worked under coach Larry Johnson at Ohio State, so coach Joyner knows a lot.”

OREGON: “When I watch Oregon, I definitely see my style of play. I see them play fast and I like that. I am working to set up an official visit with them early in the season.”

TENNESSEE: “I was there over the weekend and the visit was very enjoyable. I like their facilities, the opportunity to play early there and what Tennessee has to offer.”

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Looking ahead

The five schools are locked in, there will likely be a couple of early visits in September, then a decision will be made. Madden has a lot of thoughts running through his head now, and schools are constantly checking in with him, so this will not be an easy decision.

He knows he will be ready though.

“I can’t wait to be honest,” Madden said. “The offers have come in, and that feels great because I have put a lot of work in. Now I get to commit to a great school.”

Madden knows what he’s looking for.

“A lot of things will play a role in my commitment, but the opportunity to play early is most important. I have looked at depth charts, I am looking at what schools have at my position, and getting to play my freshman or sophomore year is key for me.

“Other things like the vibe at the school and relationships are important as well, but the chance to play early is no. 1 for me.”