Houston (Texas) Clear Lake Top247 2022 cornerback Julian Humphrey left his official visit to Georgia back on Oct. 1, telling Kirby Smart and his staff he’s a Bulldog.
The blue-chip recruit told the world Friday afternoon during a live broadcast on CBS Sports HQ. A former Florida commit, the four-star Humphrey also strongly considered LSU and Texas A&M.
Humphrey is tabbed by the 247Sports Composite as the nation’s No. 12 cornerback and No. 94 prospect overall. His pledge sees this Georgia recruiting class rise to No. 1 in the 247Sports Composite Team Rankings as the Bulldogs go back and forth with Alabama atop the standings.
“Georgia is DBU,” Humphrey stated. “I think they had (four) DBs drafted last year, that’s like a record. Once I seen that, that clicked instantly, they must be doing something different from all those other schools. I’m like ok that’s something I would love to be part of for sure, be developed like those guys.”
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Humphrey and his elite speed give him the same kind of upside as the Georgia defensive backs that were first to hear their name from that group in last year’s NFL Draft in Eric Stokes who went in the first round and Tyson Campbell who was the first selection in the second round. Humphrey has run 10.55 in the 100m dash last spring and this summer he was the fastest man at The Opening Finals running 4.38 in the 40yd dash. Over his final three prep seasons he’s broken up 23 passes, picked off two and forced two fumbles. Most nights there is not much action coming Humphrey’s way and he has all the traits coveted to be a special player in the Bulldogs secondary..
“Muscular player with a good broad shoulders,” 247Sports National Analyst Chris Singletary wrote in his evaluation. “Along with a powerful build lower half you have an athlete with twitch and burst. With his long arms and wingspan his has added tools to his 6-foot-1 build that benefit him in both man and zone coverage. Possessing elite speed with verified track times you see that it is able to translate to the field in his playmaking ability. Good with eye placement in man coverage as well as the ability to stay in phase with the receiver. In zone coverage he shows his instincts to key and diagnose with leverage on the receiver in his area with solid route recognition. Willing tackler that is not afraid to make a play. Solid with ability to flip his hips, change of direction and transition out of his peddle to break on the ball. He has done a good job of trending upward from his junior year with being more consistent and added strength.”
As Humphrey said, he believes Georgia is the best place for him to maximize his potential.
“The thing that really helped too is the head coach was a DB he played DB, and Will Muschamp played DB and Coach Jahmile Addae he played DB,” Humphrey explained. “I can go in there and play either corner spot or sometimes go into nickel and guard the little fast shifty receivers. I can keep up with them.”
Humphrey becomes one of the jewels of this Georgia class that is really loading up on the defensive side of the ball. Secondary is a need for Smart and his staff and Humphrey joins five-star safety Malaki Starks and fellow Top247 recruit Marquis Groves-Killebrew who was having an excellent senior campaign. Moving forward UGA would love to add five-stars in safety Kamari Wilson and cornerback Jaheim Singletary who they appear to be trending for too.
“I’ve been talking to Kelee Ringo a whole bunch and he’s telling me they’re going to lose a bunch of DBs and its an opportunity to come up there early and learn the defense,” Humphrey said before adding what else stood out.
“The campus is great, the school, it just feels like home.”
Humphrey is ready to put his recruiting hat on over the next month in trying to keep Georgia atop the 247Sports rankings the rest of the way.
“This class is going to be crazy,” Humphrey said. “We got a whole bunch of recruits coming in. I know a whole bunch of recruits coming in I can’t wait to go public.”
This day was Humphrey’s turn to go public. He says stay tuned on the rest.
