Newberry QB Yafari Werts commits to Georgia Southern

Newberry High quarterback Yafari Werts is finished with recruiting after committing to Georgia Southern on Tuesday night.

Werts (6-1, 175) drew interest from major programs such Clemson, USC and Georgia Tech but none came through with an offer. Georgia Southern, however, showed Werts the plan for him to be its future quarterback, and he jumped at the opportunity.

“They’ve got two junior quarterback and in my first year they will be seniors and I can redshirt and get used to everything,” Werts said. “Then I can compete for the job and that will make me a four year starter, and it doesn’t get much better than that. I love they offense. They are looking to throw the ball 25 times a game if they get the quarterback they want, which was me.”

Werts is a dual-threat quarterback who both ran and passed for more than 1,000 yards last season, leading Newberry to the Class 2A state championship game against Dillon.

He will be a senior this year at Newberry and is Georgia Southern’s third commitment for the Class of 2016.

The Eagles were a FCS power for years with multiple national championships. But the team has moved to the FBS ranks where the winning won’t come as easily. Or, according to Werts, maybe it will.

“They beat Florida and played Georgia Tech to the final seconds this past year,” he said. “We have the potential to be one of the best. I’m pretty happy with the decision I made. I’m done. I’ve waited on Clemson, USC and Georgia Tech for a while but they didn’t pull the trigger. It didn’t happen. It makes you appreciate the smaller things. I think Georgia Southern genuinely wants me.”