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ATHENS, Ga. (AP) Georgia coach Mark Richt said he couldn't watch as one of the state's top recruits, defensive end Lorenzo Carter, announced his college plans on national TV.
Richt said he couldn't watch Wednesday's announcement because he wasn't sure Carter would pick the Bulldogs. Richt said the ''screeching and screaming'' in the hallway of Georgia's football offices told him all he needed to know.
''I figured it was good news,'' Richt said.
Carter, from Norcross High School near Atlanta, slipped on a red Georgia cap as he made his nationally televised decision to sign with Georgia over Florida, LSU and Florida State.
Carter said he is excited to play for Georgia's new defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, who was hired from Florida State.
''That defense is going to be nasty, and I'm going to be a big part of it,'' Carter said.
Carter is ranked as one of the top pass-rushers in the nation. He had 132 tackles, including 40 tackles for losses, and six sacks in his senior season as Norcross won the state championship. He was named to USA Today's and Parade magazine's All-America teams.
Georgia's class also includes highly ranked running backs Sony Michel of Plantation, Fla., and Nick Chubb from Cedartown, Ga. Michel is ranked by Scout.com as the No. 2 running back in the nation.
Georgia addressed needs by signing four offensive linemen, four wide receivers and two tight ends. Two signees, wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie and Michel, were teammates at American Heritage High School. Georgia kicker Marshall Morgan also is from American Heritage.
GEORGIA
National rankings (Rivals 8; Scout 12).
Best in class: Carter, Michel
Best of the rest: Chubb, TE Jeb Blazevich, DT Lamont Gaillard, WR Isaiah McKenzie, QB Jacob Park.
Late addition: Georgia made a successful late run to sign McKenzie, who joins high school teammate Sony Michel in the signing class. McKenzie had Virginia Tech, Florida and Mississippi on his list of finalists. Also, West Hall tight end Hunter Atkinson picked Georgia over Cincinnati, where he had committed.
One that got away: Defensive end Andrew Williams from Eagles Landing Christian Academy near Atlanta chose Auburn over Georgia and Clemson.
NOTE: ''He's a guy that we believe can come in and make an immediate impact on our football team. He's got a big skill set. I don't think he's just a running back. I think he's got great hands and will be able to do stuff out of the backfield,'' Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo on Michel.
