Kell Star Switches to UGA

Kell High School continues play in the state football playoffs in a home game against Gainesville on Friday. 

But on Tuesday, one of its star players sorted out his long-term future by changing his mind about where he'll play college football.

Defensive back Brendan Langley offered a verbal commitment to the Georgia Bulldogs, choosing one SEC school over another. Langley, who also has contributed to Kell as a running back and wide receiver this season, initially chose South Carolina. 

But in an interview in Wednesday's edition of The Marietta Daily Journal, Kell coach Derek Cook said Langley had his heart set on Georgia all along. 

“South Carolina didn’t push him away. I’ve had other kids go to South Carolina, and it’s a very good school, but Brendan came to realize and accept that Georgia is where he wanted to go,” Cook was quoted as saying. 

In a text message, Langley explained his UGA decision by saying "there's no place like home."

UGA had recently lost a verbal commitment from another top defensive back, junior college star Steven Nelson. The addition of Langley was considered a must by Georgia, which kept recruiting him even after he chose South Carolina. 

Langley joins his Kell secondary teammate, Quincy Mauger, and Walton offensive lineman Brandon Kublanow as East Cobb-area commitments to the Bulldogs. 

College prospects sign scholarship offers in February.