Lorenzo Carter takes plunge for Georgia Bulldogs

photo Georgia freshman outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter, pictured in a life jacket, is helped to the side of the pool Tuesday afternoon after jumping off a 10-meter platform in Athens.

Georgia was 10 minutes into its 14th preseason football practice Tuesday afternoon when coach Mark Richt announced an annual tradition.

The Bulldogs were going swimming.

"It was probably the best feeling that I've had all camp," freshman outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter said by phone. "We knew he had to do this sometime."

The euphoria expressed by Carter, however, soon was replaced by apprehension as the 6-f00t-6, 237-pounder from the Atlanta suburb of Norcross had to perform his role after the traditional trek to the Ramsey Student Center. It is custom for every freshman player to go off the 10-meter platform.

Every last freshman.

"It was an experience," Carter said. "I hate heights, and I don't really like to swim in 17 feet of water."

Carter was equipped with a life jacket and took the plunge, and then he was helped to the side of the pool by several offensive linemen.

The most coveted defensive prospect in Georgia's 2014 signing class, Carter is looking to help the Bulldogs become more dominant. He had 132 tackles, 40 tackles for loss and six sacks for Norcross High and was rated the nation's No. 14 prospect nationally by ESPN and No. 20 by 247Sports.com.

Georgia was 10 minutes into its 14th preseason football practice Tuesday afternoon when coach Mark Richt announced an annual tradition.

The Bulldogs were going swimming.

He has worked at both outside linebacker positions, backing the proven tandem of Jordan Jenkins and Leonard Floyd.

"It really changes day to day," Carter said. "If you learn one position you really need to learn the other, so you might as well do both."

Carter admits he's not one for attention and said one of his favorite aspects to camp so far has been sitting back, observing from older players and learning. In Saturday's first scrimmage, he registered three tackles and a sack.

"I'm getting excited that it's getting closer and closer to the season," he said. "I'm doing as much as I can do to show the coaches what I've got. If they like what they see, then they'll put me on the field."

Thompson commits

The biggest news concerning Georgia football Tuesday took place in Albany, where five-star defensive tackle Trenton Thompson committed to the Bulldogs. The 6-4, 295-pounder is rated by Rivals.com as the nation's top defensive tackle and the No. 3 overall prospect, and he picked the Bulldogs over scholarship offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and Clemson.

Georgia's class of 18 commitments is ranked seventh by Rivals.com, trailing Alabama, South Carolina, Clemson, Texas A&M, Penn State and Florida State. Tennessee is ranked eighth, with Auburn and Mississippi State rounding out the top 10.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.

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