Top receiver picks Bulldogs

ATHENS, Ga. --- The state's top football prospect -- at least according to one prominent recruiting ranking -- made a verbal pledge Tuesday to play for Georgia.

Calhoun High School receiver Da'Rick Rogers gave his commitment before he announced his decision at his school, according to his coach, Hal Lamb.

The 6-foot-3, 208-pound Rogers picked the Bulldogs over Florida and Mississippi State, giving Georgia head coach Mark Richt his fifth commitment for the 2010 class.

"He's very explosive," Lamb said. "He can really jump. He's really fast. He's got all the tools to be as good a player as the rest of them. He's got an unbelievable future ahead of him if he keeps his head on right and continues to work hard and doesn't get complacent. The sky's the limit."

Rogers would become the third highly rated receiver to join the Bulldogs in as many years following A.J. Green and Marlon Brown.

"Georgia fans have become accustomed to seeing physically, freakish wideouts wearing red and white," ESPN.com recruiting analyst Tom Luginbill wrote. "With A.J. Green, Brown and Rogers in the program, that won't change any time soon."

Rogers is rated the top rising senior in Georgia by Rivals.com, which ranks him as the nation's No. 4 receiver and the No. 22 player overall.

"He's got a little ways to go with his route running, but as far as the other stuff -- athletic ability -- you can't teach that," Lamb said.

Georgia has six scholarship receivers, including Brown and fellow freshman Rantavious Wooten, but will lose Michael Moore after this season.

Reach Marc Weiszer at marc.weiszer@onlineathens.com.