Recruiting: UGA flips Yazeed Haynes from Penn State
Recruiting: UGA flips Yazeed Haynes from Penn State
Despite missing out on the Peach State’s top prospect and the nation’s No. 1 overall safety in Caleb Downs on Wednesday, the University of Georgia got some great news a few hours later as class of 2023 three-star wide receiver Yazeed Haynes committed to the Bulldogs.
Recently, the three-star pass-catcher de-committed from Penn State and gave his pledge to Georgia. Haynes took an official visit to Athens in late June and came away impressed.
“Georgia felt like the right place for me because of how it felt like family there,” Haynes said, per a report by 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong. “I have great relationships with the coaches and some of the former players there which helped with that. Those two things right there are some of my favorite things, along with the location and the school itself.”
Haynes is currently rated the nation’s No. 635 overall prospect, No. 83 wide receiver and No. 15 prospect in the state of Pennsylvania, according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.
The 6-foot-1, 170-pound receiver was heavily recruited by UGA position coaches Fran Brown (DBs) and Bryan McClendon (WRs).
“One thing I can say about Coach Fran is that talking to him is like talking to my dad,” Haynes said. “We all came from the same background so we both can relate to a lot of the same things. I like Coach BMac’s energy and he is also someone I can relate to.”
Before Haynes was committed to Penn State, he was once a Rutgers pledge, where Brown was once employed. He and the Bulldogs’ current defensive backs coach developed a relationship and kept in contact. Brown was a huge reason why he chose UGA.
Haynes didn’t record big numbers last year as a junior, but his speed is what impressed UGA’s coaching staff. Despite not being highly rated, the Bulldogs offered him anyway.
Recently, former three-star wideouts AD Mitchell and Ladd McConkey shined during Georgia’s national championship run last season as freshmen. So, if Haynes ends up signing with UGA, he will have a chance to grow and develop in Todd Monken’s offensive system.
He becomes the 18th commitment in Georgia’s 2023 recruiting haul. So far, he is the second wide receiver in the Bulldogs’ current class as four-star Raymond Cottrell committed on Nov. 11, 2021. They are hoping to pull in a few more before National Signing Day.
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