Mecole Hardman, a former five-star athlete from Elberton, Georgia, generated a lot of buzz on National Signing Day in 2016 when he signed his letter of intent with The University of Georgia.
First year coach Kirby Smart had to fend off serious competition to keep Hardman in the Peach State. Top programs like Clemson, Alabama and Michigan were doing everything in their power to get the nation’s No. prep 1 athlete to commit to their schools.
Ultimately, Hardman decided to stay in-state, and he cited (in 2016) the proximity to his northeast Georgia home as one of the main deciding factors.