Georgia added size and experience to its offensive line Monday, receiving a commitment from Rhode Island graduate transfer Tyler Catalina.
The 6-foot-6, 308-pounder was a three-year starting tackle for the Rams and a two-time member of the All-Colonial Conference team. Rhode Island is a member of college football's Championship Subdivision.
"After much thought and conversation with my family, I have decided to decommit from Iowa State and have decided that I will be playing my final year at the University of Georgia," Catalina posted on Twitter.
Catalina visited Georgia this past weekend and was also considering Auburn, Boston College, Florida and Penn State as transfer destinations. The two primary starting tackles for the Bulldogs during the 2015 season, John Theus and Kolton Houston, were seniors.
Isaiah Wynn, who was a sophomore this past season, took over the left tackle spot in early November, which shifted Theus to right tackle and Houston to left guard.
The Bulldogs also received a class of 2017 commitment Monday from Justin Shaffer, a 6-5, 330-pound lineman from Cedar Grove High in Ellenwood, Ga. Shaffer, a three-star prospect who previously committed to Louisville, is rated by 247Sports.com as the nation's No. 79 guard.
Georgia now has four in-state prospects in its 2017 class with Shaffer, Hinesville athlete Richard LeCounte, Atlanta outside linebacker Jaden Hunter and Loganville outside linebacker Breon Dixon. LeCounte is a five-star recruit whom 247Sports rates as the nation's No. 2 athlete and No. 29 overall prospect, while Hunter and Dixon are four-star prospects.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.