Monday December 23rd, 2024 9:28AM

Georgia's Lilly calls offense, Sherrer runs defense for bowl; big QB recruit headed to Athens

By The Associated Press

ATHENS (AP) — Georgia's makeshift coaching staff at the TaxSlayer Bowl will have John Lilly calling the offensive plays and Kevin Sherrer running the defense.

The school announced the arrangement Tuesday for the Jan. 2 game against Penn State.

Longtime head coach Mark Richt was let go after the regular season and is now at Miami. His coordinators also left the school: Brian Schottenheimer (offense) and Jeremy Pruitt (defense).

Kirby Smart has been hired as Richt's replacement, but he won't take over until he completes the season as Alabama's defensive coordinator. The Crimson Tide is one of four teams in the College Football Playoff.

Georgia wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon is serving as interim head coach for the bowl game. Lilly is the tight ends coach, while Sherrer works with the linebackers.

QB RECRUIT SAYS HE IS COMING TO ATHENS: Jacob Eason, the top-ranked quarterback from Lake Stevens (Washington) High School, has reaffirmed his commitment to sign with Georgia.

Eason wavered from his commitment to Georgia after coach Mark Richt was fired. Eason had recent visits to Florida and Washington.

After Georgia hired Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart as coach, Smart again visited Georgia last weekend. He announced Tuesday he will sign with the Bulldogs.

Eason's decision is a big win for Smart as he tries to keep the Georgia recruiting class together.

Eason was named the Gatorade national player of the year on Tuesday. He is expected to enroll at Georgia on Jan. 11 and immediately compete for the starting job in spring practice.

The 6-foot-6 Eason is Georgia's top quarterback recruit since Matthew Stafford.

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