The class of 2018’s No. 1 ranked tight end, Luke Ford of Carterville, Ill., was among those prospects who had planned to sign during the late period when the week began. Those plans changed, however, with Ford announcing he would sign with Georgia in a Dec. 21 ceremony at his school.

“I already knew where I was going,” Ford noted. “I figured there was no reason to drag it out.”

The early signing period week actually started with Ford naming a top five of Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Illinois and Texas A&M. Even when that was released, though, the Rivals100 prospect was strongly leaning toward the Bulldogs.

“The reason I chose (Georgia) is because I feel it has the best academically and athletically for me,” Ford said. “I fit in really well with the coach there, the other players there and the tight ends there.

“I think their usage of tight ends is really beneficial with two and three on the field. Plus, the national championship, they have a chance to do that. When I get to college I have goals of a national championship and playing in the NFL.”

There were rollercoaster elements to Ford’s recruitment. He burst onto the scene quickly last January and amassed a double-digit offer list in short order before committing to Arkansas in March. The interest and offers continued unabated, however, and Ford re-opened his recruitment in June.

In the second go-round of his recruiting process Ford took things much more slowly, and visited campuses from coast to coast. He actually never took an official visit to Georgia, but made several unofficial visits and assistant coach Shane Beamer was in his home several times over the last month.

With his announcement on Thursday Ford was able to immediately sign his letter of intent, and was relieved to put the recruiting process officially behind him.

“It feels great,” he said. “Now they can send me the playbooks and the workout and that will be fun. Then, I go into the Army Game and, God forbid anything happens, I’m good.”

Ford will play for the West team in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He missed the majority of his senior season after breaking his collarbone.