Take Two: Can Georgia Tech hold on to RB Jahmyr Gibbs?
Take Two returns with a daily offering tackling an issue in the college football landscape. Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst Adam Gorney lays out the situation and then receives takes from Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell and an expert from the Rivals.com network of team sites or a regional analyst.
THE STORYLINE
Jahmyr Gibbs has been committed to Georgia Tech since May and he had been sliding under the radar, but after putting up massive numbers this season - and teams looking for a running back in this class - that’s no longer possible.
The Dalton, Ga., standout is being heavily pursued by LSU. Meanwhile, Ohio State and Florida State are getting more involved. Texas is now in the mix. January is going to be a busy month for the four-star running back who rushed for 2,554 yards and 40 touchdowns this season.
Georgia Tech coach Geoff Collins and his staff have done an excellent job recruiting Gibbs and staying close to home could be a priority for the four-star standout.
But it’s also very difficult to say no to LSU, Ohio State or Florida State when they apply pressure, especially in the final weeks before the late signing period.
Can Georgia Tech hang on or should Gibbs be on serious flip watch?
FIRST TAKE: Chad Simmons, Southeast analyst
“With Gibbs, it’s waiting and seeing who is going to pursue him now in January. LSU and Ohio State are two schools to watch. Florida came for two in-home visits in December and he plans to take an official visit there the first week out of the break. The other schools are still to be determined.
"He’s intrigued by Texas, he wants to see if LSU comes after him, he wants to see if Ohio State comes hard and Florida State is getting in the mix. Florida is Tech’s biggest threat and they’ve let him know he’s a priority of theirs and they’re the main school with others to be determined."
"If I have to predict, I will say Gibbs stays with Georgia Tech. It’s the local school, he has a relationship with the staff, there is an immediate chance to play and there are a lot of things in their favor here."
SECOND TAKE: Mike Farrell, National recruiting director
“LSU is going to get really involved here, too. I have a feeling with Zach Evans seemingly going to Georgia, LSU is going to be looking for a running back and they have a really attractive situation there,
“Florida didn’t close strong, so it will be important for them to get a kid like this in their class especially with running back being one of their needs. With all that being said, all things point to him staying at Georgia Tech.
"The fact he didn’t sign is a big deal but Collins has done a great job with him and he seems like someone that wants to stay really close to home. I say he sticks with Georgia Tech.”