Mason Short’s three-month whirlwind has finally come to a close, and that’s welcome news in Athens.
The 4-star offensive lineman from Evans (Ga.) announced during a press conference on Friday morning that he committed to Georgia over other programs, including Clemson, Ohio State, and Kentucky. Clemson was the program who gave Georgia the most valiant run in this recruitment.
Short let Georgia coaches know about his plans during a spontaneous midweek visit to Georgia last week.
“I keep coming back to the family stuff. They’ve been talking to me since my freshman year when I was 15 years old, couldn’t even drive yet,” Short told Dawgs247. “That constant pursuit, knowing I’ve always been at the top of their board and there’s never been any kind of let-off or anything. Just the way I got to see how he got to see his players, how his players respect them — Coach [Stacy] Searels and Coach Kirby [Smart].”
Three months ago, Short was still committed to Alabama. He’d been in the Crimson Tide’s class for close to two years, and despite Georgia’s constant efforts, he hadn’t intended to change. Then Nick Saban retired, and Short’s entire plans were altered.
The day of his Alabama decommitment, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart landed his helicopter on the Evans football field. He was there to meet with Short, and maybe more importantly, several members of Short’s family.
That was the moment Short started to believe Georgia would be the best spot for him.
“When Kirby came down to my high school, and I wanted him to do it, but he shook my hand and pushed me aside to go straight to my mama. That’s how it should be,” Short said. “He went to my grandma, my tight circle. That’s who he wanted to spend time with, and that’s how it should be. You’ve gotta meet all of them, and they all love Kirby.”
Of course, the in-state pull factor certainly played a role in his decision.
“It’s an hour-and-a-half away. You’re a Georgia native. Why not go to Georgia?” Short said. “Of course that narrative has been pushed in my head every day. It’s just Georgia. They have a history. They have a program. They have coaches and players.”
Short becomes the sixth commitment in Georgia’s 2025 recruiting class, joining Ethan Barbour, Elyiss Williams, Bo Walker, Jadon Perlotte, and Stephon Shivers. He’s the first offensive lineman to join Stacy Searels’ group after a six-person class a year ago.
The 6-foot-5, 320-pound offensive lineman ranks as the nation’s No.8 interior offensive lineman in the 247Sports composite. He’s No. 179 overall nationally in the rankings. With Short’s pledge, Georgia leaps to No. 13 in the Class of 2025 team rankings.
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