Merriweather commits to Georgia Tech

Demopolis High School defensive end Tyler Merriweather verbally committed to Georgia Tech, bringing to an apparent end a recruitment that included offers from more than a dozen schools ranging from Northern Illinois to Troy among others.

The following is an interview The West Alabama Watchman conducted with Merriweather regarding his recruitment.

WAW – What about Georgia Tech appealed to you?

TM – The campus atmosphere really appealed to me. I thought that it would be crazy since it was in downtown Atlanta, but once I saw the campus I fell in love with it. The coaching staff also appealed to me because they seem like a tightly-knit bunch who love each other and who love the GT football family. I loved how the coaches were straightforward with me and they didn’t give me the run-around like most other schools did. I loved their honesty and I loved the players that I interacted with there. The thing that put me over the top was I could literally place myself there at the school and there in the football program. I feel like it’s the perfect fit for me. I’m looking into engineering and I have the perfect opportunity to get the best engineering experience at GT. I feel like I fit in their program and fit into what they are doing, it’s the perfect distance away from home and I already have family in Atlanta. My parents felt comfortable with it and I couldn’t have been happier when I left the campus and facilities.

WAW – What made you decide to go ahead and commit rather than waiting for other camps or visits?

TM – I decided to go ahead and commit because I didn’t want to miss out on my opportunity. The coaches told me that they are signing two defensive ends and I really couldn’t let the chance pass me by. I didn’t feel rushed by the decision I knew that choosing to commit was the best possible decision for me. I had other camps set up but those were just like job interviews. I don’t see a need to interview when I already have a job in hand at the perfect place for me.

WAW – What has Georgia Tech told you about how they plan to use you?

TM – They plan to keep me at my defensive end spot because I look more natural and comfortable there.

WAW – Do you think it will be easier to be focused on your senior season now that you are committed?

TM – Yes I honestly do feel like it will be easier to focus. It was never hard or hectic but I feel relieved that I did make this decision because I know that I made the right choice. Demopolis has always been first in my mind, but this decision just helps me and makes me want to work harder for my team this year.

WAW – Will you still be taking other camps and visits?

TM – I honestly don’t plan on taking anymore visits or plan on going to anymore camps. I think my recruiting process is coming to a close with Georgia Tech