McCord back from Athens

Tampa (Fla.) Jefferson defensive end Tyriq McCord hit the road this past Friday to take an official visit to the University of Georgia. It marked his third official visit.

"It was a really good visit," McCord said. "I enjoyed my time there."

Entering the visit, the 6-foot-3, 222-pound prospect knew a great deal about Athens and the University due to a former teammate who is currently a Bulldog.

"I already knew a lot about what I was visiting because I talk to Ramik (Wilson) about twice a week," McCord said. "So I knew what I was getting into up there."

During the visit, McCord was shown around by Wilson. He also was given a view on what Wilson's time on campus has been like and the lessons he has learned at the next level.

"I got to catch up with him a little bit," McCord said. "He said that there is a lot of competition there and you just have to compete for a spot. He has told me that since day one that he got up there, that he is competing with a lot of people. He said to just come in knowing the playbook. If you don't know what you are doing, you can't play. He told me it is a real good place but an entirely different ballgame coming out of high school."

McCord also spent a great deal of time talking with defensive coordinator Todd Grantham during the visit. He was enthused with the plans that Grantham has for him if he were to opt for the SEC program.

"I talked to Coach Grantham a lot," McCord said. "He talked to me about playing the position that Jarvis Jones is playing this season. That sounds pretty good because that position has a lot of opportunity to get sacks, and it has the last two years in a row. It would mean that Jarvis could play the Sam linebacker and I would play the Will linebacker position next year. So it sounds good. I could go in there and play early and with my former teammate Ramik."

The Rivals100 prospect wrapped up the visit with a sit-down conversation with head coach Mark Richt.

"I told him that my college decision will be based on coaching stability, that I want my coach to be there all four of my years and to be able to see me walk across the stage when I get my degree. That is a big thing to me," McCord said. "From what I know and what I learned, he has a contract extension. Coach Granthan does too. So that is a good thing. He also told me he wants me to come up there and play with Ramik."

Over the past two months McCord has taken official visits to South Carolina and Miami, in addition to Georgia. He has also taken an unofficial visit to Florida. He entered the visit with South Carolina and Florida, in that order, as his top two. Did the Bulldogs make a move towards the top?

"Georgia has always been there, but in the back," McCord said. "I wouldn't really say they moved up that much."

McCord confirmed that the Gamecocks and Gators remain his top two options. He is set to announce in just three short weeks at the U.S. Army All-Ameircan Bowl. Prior to making his way to San Antonio, McCord expects to have things narrowed down even further.

"I will probably narrow my list to a top three around Christmas Day," McCord said. "I think I will be down to a top three at that point."

McCord said that Florida and South Carolina will help make up that narrowed list, but the third school remains up in the air.

With two official visits still remaining, McCord said he still plans to visit USC, and likely TCU, in January after he has announced his commitment.