It was only a matter of time before James Coley’s recruiting skills appeared in Georgia’s 2025 recruiting class.
Thomas Blackshear is the first wide receiver on board.
The Calvary Day (Ga.) wide receiver chose Georgia over Tennessee and Florida State on Sunday, he told Dawgs247. Blackshear’s final selection came down to a clash between Georgia and Tennessee. He contacted Georgia coaches last week to let them know he was ready to make a decision.
“I texted Coach Coley and told him I’m ready to be a Dawg,” Blackshear told Dawgs247. “He called me.” He was heated up. He stated he couldn’t wait until I got down there.”
This spring, the 6-foot-1, 197-pound receiver made several visits to Georgia. His first Georgia recruiting interactions were with former wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon. Earlier this year, Blackshear told Dawgs247 that he would need to repair his friendship with Coley in order to form a bond akin to the one he shared with McClendon.
That was obviously accomplished quickly.
Blackshear thanked Georgia coaches for his decision on Sunday.
“The coaches, traveling down there, getting to know the coaches better when I visited and saw them practise. “I made the decision after talking with Coach Coley and Coach Kirby,” Blackshear explained. “It was definitely the coaching staff.”
Blackshear averaged more than 20 yards per reception in eight games last season, totaling 551 yards and five touchdowns. He also averaged ten yards per run on the ground.
Blackshear’s physicality has prompted comparisons to another wide receiver recruited by Coley.
“He’s really been telling me that I’ll be a great wide receiver at Georgia,” Blackshear stated. “I remind him of George Pickens a little bit.”
Blackshear plays both sides of the ball at Calvary Day, although he is projected as a Z receiver in Georgia’s offense. Other programs, notably Tennessee, have contemplated playing defensive back with Blackshear.
But Coley had a humorous message for Blackshear on the subject.
“Coach Coley said he saw my defensive film and didn’t want to tell the DB coach about it,” Blackshear added, laughing.
Blackshear is a 3-star recruit in the 247Sports rankings, but a 4-star in the 247Sports composite. According to the 247Sports composite rankings, he is the nation’s No. 323 overall player.
Blackshear is the first wide receiver in Georgia’s 2025 recruiting class. His pledge propels Georgia to the No. 11 recruiting class in the cycle, surpassing Texas A&M, Arizona State, and Wake Forest.
