Jan. 9, 2017
THE FLATS – Defensive backs Jaytlin Askew (Douglasville, Ga./McEachern) and Gentry Bonds (Murfreesboro, Tenn./Riverdale) officially became members of Georgia Tech’s student body and football program with the start of the 2017 spring semester on Monday.
Askew and Bonds completed high-school coursework last semester, which allowed them to enroll early at Tech. Their early enrollments also allow them to immediately begin football activities and participate in spring practice with the Yellow Jackets. Eligibility-wise, they will be true freshmen for the 2017 season.
Askew, a four-star prospect according to ESPN, was a second-team Class AAAAA all-state selection in 2016. He intercepted seven passes over the last two seasons at McEachern, including four as a senior in ’16. The 5-11, 187-pounder was rated as the No. 32 cornerback prospect in the nation and the 42nd-best overall prospect in the state of Georgia by ESPN. He chose Georgia Tech over Auburn, Florida State, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Virginia and West Virginia, among others.
Bonds, a four-star prospect according to Rivals.com, was a first-team Class 6A all-state honoree in 2016. He recorded 120 tackles and 10 interceptions over his final two prep seasons, including 61 stops and six INTs (one that he returned for a touchdown) as a senior in ’16. The 6-2, 192-pounder was tabbed as the No. 14 overall prospect in the state of Tennessee and the 31st-best safety nationwide in the class of 2017 by Rivals. He chose Georgia Tech over Clemson, Kentucky, Missouri and Nebraska.
The rest of Georgia Tech football’s freshman class of 2017 will officially sign National Letters of Intent to attend Tech on National Signing Day, which is set for Wednesday, Feb. 1.
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