Another big fish is heading towards Athens.
Evans Class of 2025 offensive lineman Mason Short announced his commitment to the University of Georgia football team Friday morning.
Short left the University of Alabama in January following the retirement of legendary coach Nick Saban. That's when his real work began. Hours later, Georgia football coach Kirby Smart landed in a helicopter on the Evans High School football field. Three months later, the results were visible.
Short chose Georgia over Clemson, Ohio State and Kentucky. He plans to graduate early and enroll in January.
Short is a four-star prospect ranked No. 77 overall (No. 11 offensive tackle) on the ESPN 300 in the 2025 class and was originally scheduled to transfer to Alabama in April 2023. But when Saban announced his retirement on January 10, the world of football changed forever. The ripple effect reached every part of college football.
The legacy lives on:“You'll probably need a box of Kleenex.” Mike Woods continues his family's head-painting tradition
Modify the new student:How kicker Peyton Woodring fought off criticism from UGA football fans and found success.
Abundant attacks:Georgia football's top returning receiver among various weapons for the Bulldog offense
“When he left, I didn't think it was real,” he said. “I was at Ryan Bowers' house training some kids for my senior project, and one of the parents pulled me aside and said, 'Hey, look at this. “said. Breaking news from ESPN that Saban has retired. Thirty seconds later, my mom called me and said, “Maybe it's real.” She received a phone call from an Alabama offensive lineman who broke the news to her twice. ”
His plan was to wait and see what would happen before making a decision, but that changed as another Southeastern Conference program made a big hire from the Alabama staff.
“I wasn't going to uncommit after that. I was going to wait,” he said. “After (offensive line coach Eric Wolford) left and went to Kentucky, I rescinded that commitment and resumed recruiting.”
Six days later, the short was removed and the floodgates opened.
Shortly after Smart visited Evans, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney stopped by, and Short took an official visit to Clemson shortly after. New Alabama coach Karen DeBoer re-offered Shortstop, but it seemed like too little, too late.
But Smart stood out among them.
“What stuck with me was how much I meant to his program and how much he wanted me,” Short said. “For him to do that was great for not only the exposure for me, but for my town. His stepping down brought a lot of media attention to our school, which I love. It gave other players more exposure as well. We went to the weight room and he talked to me and my family for about 35-40 minutes. He has a place to belong. It's great to do that.”
Don't overlook the value of a position coach. Georgia offensive line coach Stacey Shearels was seen watching Short two years ago at Evans' practice field. Georgia was on board from the beginning, and that relationship stuck with the young tackle.
“He's great. All we're talking about is hunting and fishing. There's a lot of hunting and fishing here, and we're only an hour away from Athens,” Short said. I did. “What really attracted me to him was his relationship with the players, the way he communicated with the players, how comfortable the players were around him. That's what drew me to Georgia. That’s what really drew me to the states, knowing I could do something comfortable and fun.”
2024 ANWA:Florida State's Ward endures a tough start and wind to take the lead after 36 holes
“It's been a while”:Texas A&M's Haley Cooper makes long-awaited start in 2024 ANWA
A weight has been lifted off Mason Short's shoulders after contributing to Georgia football.
The recruiting process can be taxing for high school athletes. Friday was a big day for the Evans junior, as Short basically went through this process twice. Her parents, Richard and Andrea, and younger brother, Nolan, were also present when she made the announcement in her school's auditorium.
“We were rehearsing in the truck 30 minutes before we got here,” he said. “All the things I thought were on the truck, I didn't say them. My mom wanted me to write the script, but I just went out there and let it speak for itself. It was just a weight off my shoulders so I could go celebrate and eat Mexican food.”
There's a bit of irony in the fact that after years of traveling across the country for camps, he chose a school less than two hours away. However, that is the nature of recruitment.
For Short, this roller coaster was as much about his community and teammates as it was about himself. He has been a vehicle for exposure in Evans High School football. Coach Barrett Davis said more than 100 college coaches visited Evans last summer. Four players have already signed their national letters of intent, with more expected to sign.
“At that point, I already had all the offers. I knew there was nothing more I could really accept,” Short said. “I was happier that the coaches came and let them get to know this place, even more than the attention that I received.The coaches came to practice and watched them play ball, so I was very happy. I've been playing with the guys for the last two years.
Now that you have fulfilled your commitment, will there be any changes to your shorts in the near future? Probably not.
“Throughout the entire process, I knew I would stay true to myself. I'm still fully committed to Georgia, but the job hasn't changed,” he said. “I've been working a job where I go to bed at 8:30 and wake up at 5:00. Nothing has changed. Now I just have a logo attached. Just keep working and have a great senior season.”
