Monroe Freeling, state of SC’s top recruit, commits to Georgia
Clemson and South Carolina have done a good job of keeping top-ranked in-state football prospects home for their college careers. But neither the Tigers nor Gamecocks were able to do that with Monroe Freeling.
The Oceanside Collegiate offensive lineman and top-ranked prospect for the Class of 2023 according to the 247Sports Composite committed to Georgia on Monday night.
Freeling picked Georgia over Alabama, Clemson, Florida and Miami. Those were the final five schools he released over the weekend. He had banners of all of five finalists on the table and then had a a Georgia flag underneath an an American flag and picked it up and waved it to announce the Bulldogs.
“They really just presented the best opportunity to further my career for football and being a better person,” Freeling said after the announcement carried by 247Sports.
South Carolina was the first Power Five offer to the 6-foo-7, 283-poun Freeling when Will Muschamp was coach. Shane Beamer continued to recruit him and he was on campus for unofficial visits and camps.
It was second time in the last three seasons Clemson or USC missed out on the No. 1-ranked prospect in the state. Gaffney’s Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, the No. 1 prospect in 2021, signed with Georgia. Hilton Head Island’s Jaylen Sneed, the state’s Mr. Football and the No. 2 prospect in the Class of 2022, signed with Notre Dame.
South Carolina has landed commitments from the Nos. 2-4 prospects from Class of 2023 in Dorman’s Markee Anderson, Camden’s Xzavier McLeod and Manning’s Monteque Rhames. The fifth-ranked prospect, Jordan Knox of Northwestern High in Rock Hill, committed to play with Northwestern University.
Freeling is the No. 63-ranked prospect in the country by 247Sports Composite and No. 8 offensive lineman overall.
“There is so much to love about him,” 247Sports recruiting analyst Brian Dohn said. “... I’m really impressed with his overall athleticism and looseness about his frame. He still has a lot of growth potential. ... He already plays with a nasty streak and doesn’t mind blocking 20 yards downfield.”
Top SC prospect commitments
A look where No. 1 ranked high school prospects in 247Sports Composite rankings went to college since 2010:
2023 Monroe Freeling - Georgia
2022 Jadyn Lukas - Clemson
2021 Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins - Georgia
2020 Jordan Burch - South Carolina
2019 Zacch Pickens - South Carolina
2018 Darion Kendrick - Clemson (transferred to Georgia)
2017 Ortre Smith - South Carolina
2016 Tavien Feaster - Clemson (transferred to South Carolina)
2015 Albert Huggins - Clemson
2014 Christian Miller - Alabama
2013 Tramel Terry - Georgia
2012 Shaq Roland - South Carolina
2011 Jadeveon Clowney - South Carolina
2010 Marcus Lattimore - South Carolina
This story was originally published August 29, 2022 at 7:39 PM.
