Rachad Wildgoose Jr. looks ahead to opportunity at Georgia

After a stagnant few months, Georgia’s 2018 recruiting class began to gain some momentum at the Kirby Smart Camp and landed another prospect from Miami.

Rachad Wildgoose Jr. had only been back on the recruiting market for a short time after decommitting May 25 from Rutgers. Three weeks after receiving an offer from Georgia, the program was able to put the finishing touches on the Miami product at the showcase event.

Wildgoose joined North Gwinnett offensive lineman Warren Ericson as the two newly committed Bulldogs on that evening, and the up-and-coming safety was able to gain a quick feel on what Georgia had to offer.

“I knew after the first day that it was the place for me, like right after the camp ended,” Wildgoose said. “The coaching staff, the facilities — including the new indoor practice building — and just the overall vibe of everything.”

Wildgoose is not a highly regarded recruit and is rated as a two-star prospect, according to both the 247Sports and Rivals recruiting services. But that won’t deter the newest Bulldogs’ pledge from being confident about his potential at the collegiate level.

The 6-foot, 185-pound safety comes out of Northwestern High School in Miami and plays in one of the most talent-laden regions. During Wildgoose’s senior campaign, he will face the state’s best programs: Booker T. Washington, IMG Academy, Miami Central and Miami Norland.

“I’m underrated, but my coaches know my different abilities,” Wildgoose said. “It’ll just drive me to be better, and I know my high school experience will definitely help me at Georgia.”

In 2018, Wildgoose will join Hapeville Charter cornerback Christopher Smith in the Bulldogs’ defensive backfield. Georgia’s pursuit of defensive backs continues to intensify, despite it signing seven at the position in 2017.

Due to the backgrounds of Georgia’s defensive coaching staff, former defensive backs Kirby Smart and Mel Tucker place a priority in the area and the stockpiling continues. Georgia now has five commitments for the 2018 class after Ericson and Wildgoose gave their pledges.

“(Coach Tucker) is a cool guy with a lot of coaching experience,” Wildgoose said. “He has also coached at the next level, and that’s where I’m trying to get.”

Another big factor in Wildgoose’s recruiting process was Bulldogs’ wide receivers coach James Coley. In his second season with the program, he has continued to use his Miami roots to extend offers to a number of prospects and make the finishing touches, as well.

The South Florida area has become a pipeline with Georgia, after it landed Latavious Brini and Matt Landers in 2017. It has begun to build once more with the addition of Wildgoose in 2018.

“He played a big part in my commitment because he recruited some of my coaches when they were going through their recruiting process,” Wildgoose said. “They say he’s great, and he recruited me hard. It just made sense.”

In terms of recruiting, the current commitments have targeted some prospects and have engaged in many conversations, helping boost the efforts of the Bulldogs’ coaches. Some of those priorities include wide receivers Kearis Jackson and Marquez Ezzard, safety Trey Dean and recently de-committed signal caller Justin Fields, among others.

While he plans to join the cause, Wildgoose is pleased where things currently stand.

“We have our five commits right now, and I feel like it’s a good group,” he said. “All of us have great potential to succeed in college.”

This story was originally published June 9, 2017 at 5:00 PM with the headline "Rachad Wildgoose Jr. looks ahead to opportunity at Georgia."