No. 71 hire for ’24 decommits from Georgia

• Blake Baumgartner, ESPN Staff WriterJul 19, 2023, 05:59 PM ET

Four-star safety Jaylen Heyward, the No. 71 total recruit in the 2024 ESPN 300 rankings, decommitted from the Georgia Bulldogs on Tuesday.Heyward, who participates in Rockledge(Florida )High School, is rated as the second-best safety in the 2024 cycle by ESPN.” I felt like it was the best alternative for me today,”Heyward informed ESPN.Georgia’s class is No. 1 in ESPN’s rankings, and the Bulldogs’18 ESPN 300 prospects lead the country.Editor’s Picks 2 Related Then ranked No. 40 general by ESPN, Heyward had devoted to Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs on Jan. 13, less than a week after the program won its 2nd straight College Football Playoff title with a 65-7 triumph over TCU.Heyward on Wednesday said Georgia’s recent legal problems, which started with the fatal traffic mishap on Jan. 15 that eliminated offensive lineman Devin Willock and employee Chandler LeCroy, had absolutely nothing to do with his decision to decommit.At least 11 Bulldogs players have actually been charged with moving infractions ever since.”I just didn’t truly get to enjoy my recruitment process given that I was devoted, “Heyward said.He said he’s looking at UCF, Miami, USC, Clemson,

Auburn, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and Florida A&M. He took main check outs to both Central Florida and Miami in June.”The relationship in between me and the coaches and the culture” are things he’s

now prioritizing with this second chance.The 6-foot, 180-pound Heyward tape-recorded 44 takes on with 8 passes safeguarded, 3 required fumbles and 2 interceptions for Rockledge in 2022.

In a two-year stretch, he has 72 tackles, separated 24 passes, intercepted three passes(returned two for goals)and

has surrendered just one goal in 25 games.