Kirby Smart, Georgia fans impress TE target John Fitzpatrick

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Not many impressed more than John Fitzpatrick Sunday at the Rivals 3 Stripe Camp. He plays in a triple option offense at Atlanta (Ga.) Marist, so he is used primarily as a blocker, but he can run routes, he can hurdle defenders and he fights for the football.

Georgia recently saw some tape of him showcasing his hands and legs and the Bulldogs immediately offered the 6-foot-6, 232 pound tight end.

Fitzpatrick did not see the offer coming that soon.

"The offer was a little surprising because I had just visited Georgia two weeks ago and they mentioned that they needed more tape," said Fitzpatrick. "After getting more film, I sent it to coach [Kirby] Smart and coach [Shane] Beamer (tight ends), then the offer happened and things kind of went from there."

The Dawgs had him on campus Saturday and the Bulldogs made a strong impression on the in-state target. Kirby Smart taking some time with him really caught his attention.

"Before the spring game, I was taken over to coach Smart and he shook my hand, took some time to talk with me and that was a very big moment for me. It meant a lot because it shows that he cares about not only his team, but the people he is recruiting as well.

"He could be like, well, I have offered him now, so I am not going to talk with him anymore, but it was much different than that. We talked, he told me that he wanted to talk more with me after the game with coach Beamer and his time like that really meant a lot to me. That was probably the highlight of my visit."

After the game, the two met up again, this time joined by the Bulldogs' tight ends coach. The trio talked about when they could see each other again.

"Coach Smart and coach Beamer want me to visit Athens again soon, so we talked about that. We also talked about faith, academics and what I could get into if I chose Georgia.

"I know I would want to go into Business at the Terry School if I chose Georgia, so we talked about that and things like that. Coach Smart talked about me meeting with one of the professors there and it was a great conversation."

"To see that many people there for a spring game was great and it was great seeing the 2017 signees being cheered for, being called out by the fans and it showed how the fans care at Georgia.

"Thinking about being a part of something like that was pretty exciting."

Fitzpatrick is not ready to name favorites yet, but Georgia made a very strong impression over the weekend. The school about an hour from home is now in the running for this top tight end.

"Georgia showed me that it cares for its players, the coaches are great family guys and they made a strong impression," said Fitzpatrick. "I don't feel like I am just another offer in the program, but that they do want me and care about me.

"I am definitely looking at Georgia."