Chattanoogans continue to have a reputation for being the adventurous type.
In an age when college football prospects are choosing their destinations earlier and earlier, three Chattanooga-area talents decided not to shut down their recruiting experiences during December’s early signing period.
Dalton running back Jahmyr Gibbs, North Murray receiver Ladd McConkey and McCallie School defensive tackle Jay Hardy entered 2020 without revealing their desired locales, though Auburn announced Jan. 18 that the 6-foot-3, 298-pound Hardy had indeed signed last month. Gibbs is the nation’s No. 75 overall prospect and Hardy the No. 100 overall recruit in the latest 247Sports.com composite player rankings, marking the first time the Chattanooga area has produced two 247Sports top-100 prospects in the same recruiting cycle.
Gibbs rocketed up the rankings after rushing for 2,554 yards and 40 touchdowns this past season for the Catamounts. He has been committed to Georgia Tech since May but has taken visits to Alabama, Florida, LSU and Ohio State.
North Murray’s Ladd McConkey visited Vanderbilt and Georgia in recent days before committing to Georgia on Sunday. / Staff file photo by Robin Rudd“I think Jahmyr waiting, first off, shows you what kind of teammate he is,” Dalton coach Matt Land said Wednesday. “He waited until after the season to take his official visits, because he was focused on our season. He was just laser-focused on his season and what he could accomplish and what we could accomplish as a team.