Jordan HammSAN ANTONIO –
The wait is over.
Arizona’s top player Kelee Ringo announced his commitment to Georgia at the All-American Bowl on Saturday.
The Saguaro defensive back had his pick of colleges and a top five of the Bulldogs, Texas, Oregon, Ohio State and Alabama.
Saguaro has produced three NFL players in the last 15 years: DJ Foster, Christian Kirk and Byron Murphy. Ringo thinks Georgia can help him continue that trend for the Sabercats.
“Georgia is a great place for me,” Ringo said. “Coach Kirby Smart knows what he’s doing with that program. He’s in (defensive back) meetings. He’s a DB fanatic. I feel like I can develop and I do like him.”
#godawgs 🐶😏 pic.twitter.com/jDe6VD2oH8
— Kelee Ringo (@KeleeRingo) July 30, 2019
Saguaro head coach Jason Mohns recalls a time a member of the University of Miami coaching staff came to the Sabercat campus to visit Ringo. He told Mohns that the Hurricanes don’t leave the state of Florida to recruit defensive backs unless it’s a special player. Clearly, Ringo fit that bill.
“Your kid’s a unicorn,” Mohns recalls the coach saying after meeting Ringo.
“He’s such a unique player,” Mohns said. “I’ve coached in this game. I’ve never seen a corner built like him that runs like him. They’re getting an elite, special player.”
After transferring in from Washington after his freshman year, Ringo instantly became one of the most dynamic athletes in the state. As a defensive back, he notched 87 total tackles, six tackles for loss and five interceptions over three years. As a senior, Ringo also assumed some of the running back duties for the Sabercats and ran for 712 yards on 59 carries and 13 touchdowns.
His time at Saguaro and with that coaching staff helped him prepare for the SEC.
“They care about their guys,” Ringo said. “All of them have been like father figures to me. They’re great dudes. Technique-wise, they love the game of football and they’ll be (objective). That’s to win games and take care of their players. They did just that.”
Family ✊ @KeleeRingo pic.twitter.com/IF8BzjAcBA
— Jason Mohns 🔱 🏈 (@CoachMohns) January 3, 2020
With 25 players on the All-American Bowl committed to SEC schools (at least entering the game), this week has helped the Sabercat prepare for his college competition.
“I like to compete with the best,” Ringo said. “Everybody here is an All-American. Everybody here makes plays. There’s going to be balls caught on me, and I just need to get back up and make that next one. That’s my attitude.”
Top player in the state? Check. All-American? Check. SEC commit? Check.
Ringo’s list of accomplishments continue to grow, but he already has more in his sights when he steps on Georgia’s campus.
“Freshman All-American, I want the Jim Thorpe Award (college football’s best defensive back),” Ringo said. “I want to be the best at what I do, so that’s my main goal.”
Ringo went in-depth on his commitment on a very special edition of the Recruiting Roundup brought to you by Venezia’s Pizzeria.
