Rashad Cheney reveals it’s ‘50-50 for everybody’ in recruiting process
Rashad Cheney’s recruitment is closed, yet still wide open.
The 2019 defensive tackle committed to Georgia on Feb. 18, just four days after receiving a scholarship offer from his in-state program. While still holding the offer, Cheney continues to take a look at other programs and isn’t afraid to make it known publicly.
Alabama and South Carolina started to make a push for the Atlanta-area product, and Mississippi — after a May 17 offer — and Tennessee have entered the competition against Georgia as Cheney has engaged with more frequent contact.
“It has just been back and forth with South Carolina and Georgia,” Cheney said. “Every time I go down (to Columbia), it feels like home. The coaching staff, they treat me well every time I visit.”
Cheney also has heard recruiting pitches from current Gamecocks athletes who originate from the Atlanta area: tight end Robert Tucker (BEST Academy) and wide receiver Randrecous Davis (Mays).
While the pursuit has been consistent from South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp and defensive line coach Lance Thompson, the four-star maintains his loyalty to Georgia.
“I’ve always wanted to play for that G,” Cheney said.
Cheney will be continuously recruited by a fellow Bulldogs commitment after he joins forces with four-star wide receiver Jadon Haselwood. The two rising juniors have developed a strong rapport, and they’ll play alongside each other this season. Cheney told The Telegraph in April that he plans to transfer to Cedar Grove, the defending GHSA 3A champion. Those plans are still on.
The Bulldogs landed former Saints offensive linemen Netori Johnson and Justin Shaffer in the 2017 class.
“I look forward to leading (Jadon’s) team to yet another state title,” Cheney said. “We are close now, and that started ever since we committed. We then started to talk more, and now we’re on the same team and workout together a lot. It’s exciting.”
Currently with 11 offers in hand, Cheney’s list could improve as his high school career continues. The four programs each present a unique appeal to the 270-pound lineman, but it’s currently “50-50 for everybody” ahead of shutting down his recruitment after the upcoming season.
Cheney’s main recruiter with the Bulldogs is newly hired defensive line coach Tray Scott, but head coach Kirby Smart is why Georgia is still in position to land Cheney’s services.
“It’s just something about him,” Cheney said. “The way he talks to me; it seems so real. When I committed, he talked to me about what that word (Commit to the G) meant and that got to me. I really like how he talks to me.”
This story was originally published July 3, 2017 at 5:35 PM with the headline "Rashad Cheney reveals it’s ‘50-50 for everybody’ in recruiting process."