Impressive Wide Receiver Target Talks UGA Football And Updates Recruitment

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ATHENS - After signing three in-state wide receivers in the 2026 class, Georgia Bulldog assistant James Coley is after one of the state’s best again in the current 2027 cycle.

That would be Mount Vernon (GA) standout, Taurean Rawlins‍.

This dynamic, speedy 5-foot-11 170-pounder from Sandy Springs earned an offer from the Bulldogs back in January and was in town last month to take in a Bulldog spring practice.

The electric in-state pass-catcher hauled in 67 passes for just under 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns, last season averaging about 21 yards per catch. He caught up with Dawg Post this week to break down his interest in Georgia and where his recruitment currently stands...

On his reaction to the Georgia offer...

“I didn't think I was going to get an offer that day because I hadn't gotten an in-person offer yet. So it was different because I thought an offer would come after an in-person evaluation. Coach Coley came to the school and we had a really good conversation. He was a great dude and a genuine guy. And at the end of the conversation, he told me that I had an offer from UGA. It was just a surreal moment. I didn't even know what to say. I was trying to hide my smile, but I couldn't, you know?”

On his first visit to Athens...

“My next visit came in April. It was a great. Coach Kirby and his staff are very intense. I like the energy that they had over there. It's intense but it's nothing that I can't handle. Coach Terrence Edwards is very intense too as he went to Georgia. So he brings that energy here as well.”

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Other recent offers and what comes next...

“ I just got Miami, Nebraska and Indiana. I'm definitely looking to narrow down my list soon with maybe a top six or top four. I'm just looking for guidance from my family, really. And, you know, people around me that'll help me.

On what he likes about coach Coley...

“I love Coach Coley. He’s a great guy. Every time we talk, it doesn't even have to just be about football. We could just talk like I've known him for years. He has a great relationship with my dad and a great relationship with my mom. Coach Coley's my guy for sure.”

On Georgia’s pitch and plan for him...

“To be honest, it's just a really straightforward approach that they want me there. They’re recruiting me as a Z and all he needs is an X now. I can definitely see that they're planning around bringing guys in and bringing me in. So I really appreciate that as well. It shows he's had the strongest interest in me consistently.

On what coach Coley likes most about Rawlins’ game...

“M acceleration and my ability to get off the line. Then to catch the ball at full speed. When I catch the ball I'm running through the ball as I'm still running at my full speed. I speed off the line. You can't really coach speed.

On an underrated part of his game...

“I think an underrated part of my game is my catch radius. If you look at my film, I catch the ball wherever it is. I go get the ball. It's just not talked about as much as my speed or anything, but the catches that I make sometimes should be talked about a little bit more.

On official visit plans...

“I’ll take my first official visit to Georgia the weekend of May 29th. I also have official visits scheduled to Clemson, Arkansas, and Vanderbilt.

On a commitment timetable...

“I'm looking to have a commitment this summer. I'm looking at June, but if June doesn't work just sometime in the summer before this season, I do want to play my senior year committee.

On what means the most in his recruitment...

“I'm definitely looking at development and the depth chart as well. I don't want to be red-shirted or anything like that. I definitely want to be developed. I’m also looking for a program that actually brings receivers out of high school. The portal has changed a lot of things for coaches. So I don't want to just go somewhere and then they bring in 3 portal guys and then, you know, that's it.