Come back every Thursday for Athlete Interviews on college recruiting and advice.

Michael Barnett was a star athlete on the University of Georgia football team who now plays defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions. He may be a pro these days, but he was once a high school recruit just like you. Barnett talked to 2aDays about his high school recruitment process, discussed why he chose Georgia, and gave high school football players some  advice on how to handle the pressure of college recruiting.

2aDays: You were originally committed to Florida State but later flipped your commitment to Georgia. What about Georgia made you decide to commit to the Dawgs?

Michael: It was family. Georgia is like a home away from home. They welcomed me with open arms and there was just something about the Dawgs I just couldn't refuse.

2aDays: To you, what was the most important factor in deciding where you were going to spend your next three plus years in college?

Michael: Just family really. Georgia just felt more like family than anywhere else.

Related: Rate the University of Georgia

2aDays: You were a consensus 4-star recruit and had offers from a plethora of schools. How were you able to handle all the attention that came with being a top recruit?

Michael: I never really liked attention so a lot of schools that were either too far or I just didn't like, I'd let them know I wasn't interested early on.

2aDays: You were selected and participated in “Nike: The Opening” in Atlanta while you were in high school. Can you speak on the importance of these recruiting camps and how it affected your recruitment?

Michael: It's important because it will really put your name out there to more schools. Also, you get to showcase your talent against some of the best and it helps you receive more attention than what you were getting before.

Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits

2aDays: What do you feel is the most important thing for a recruit to know about each school before committing?

Michael: I honestly feel like that varies per recruit, whether it be education, tutors, or even how they help you better with life outside of athletics.

2aDays: Social media is very prevalent in today's society. When you were going through your recruitment, how much of an impact did it have?

Michael: Not nearly as much as how recruits are now. I may have gotten a few retweets here and there, but today's society is all based off of social media.

2aDays: Do you have any advice for athletes going through the college recruitment process that you wish you had known when you were going through it?

Michael: Just make sure to ask as many questions as possible. This is where you will be spending the next 3-4 years of your life so you need to make sure it feels like home and you're most comfortable with your decision.
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* Originally published on September 8, 2022, by Ben Barron