It's official: Plant receiver Charles selects Georgia

Plant wide receiver/tight end Orson Charles made his college decision this afternoon, choosing to play college football at Georgia.

Charles chose Georgia over USC. Tennessee was also a finalist and he also made trips to Florida State and Florida.

But in Athens, he will join his Plant teammate, quarterback Aaron Murray, who graduated in December and is already attending classes at Georgia.

Charles made his decision in front of about 150 people in the Plant gymnasium. Included in the stands were Murray, former Plant quarterback Robert Marve, well-known Plant parent Tony Dungy and Middleton coach Jason Stokes, who coached Charles at Riverview.

Charles wore a light gray suit, turned his back to the the crowd upon announcing his decision, unbuttoned his jacket to reveal a black Georgia jersey with his high school No. 7.

"I was always comparing everything else to Georgia," Charles said. "I came back from USC and asking if it was good as Georgia. I came back from Florida State and Tennessee wondering if it was a good as Georgia."

Georgia was one of the first schools to offer Charles a scholarship more than a year ago.

"I knew what they had," Charles said. "I knew what I could do in that program and I knew the opportunity."

Charles, rated the seventh-best receiver prospect in the nation by Rivals.com, made 75 receptions for 1,421 yards and 21 touchdowns, helping Plant to its second Class 4A state title in three years. He was named the Times' All-Suncoast Co-Offensive Player of the Year.

Photo: Orson Charles hugs Plant High teacher Cathy Taylor after signing with the University of Georgia at Plant on Friday. CHRIS ZUPPA | Times

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Comments

[Jim]

Weiner finally figured out a way to take his SAT for him ?????