Carvers Bay’s Geathers picks Georgia

Like a lot of the members of his family, Carvers Bay defensive lineman Kwame Geathers is hoping to follow in his brother Robert Jr.’s footsteps — footsteps that lead to the NFL.

He took a major step Friday by signing a letter of intent with Georgia, the same program that was a springboard for Robert Jr.

Kwame chose the Bulldogs over Central Florida, where his cousin Jarvis plays, and Tennessee, who was a late entry into the Geathers sweepstakes.

“We’re very excited about Kwame becoming a Georgia Bulldog,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said in a press release. “He’s a fantastic player and a very, very good young man. We can’t wait to get him in Athens and in position to help us win and continue to strive for championships.”

Kwame was a defensive force for Carvers Bay during his high school career.  He recorded 85 tackles and 10 sacks for the Bears during his junior season and followed with 130 tackles and seven sacks his senior season.

He was also a starter on the past two lower state championship squads for Carvers Bay, and Bears coach Nate Thompson said he will be able to play at the next level.

“He has very good foot speed for his size,” Thompson said. “His first two steps are what separate him as a player. He’s so quick off the ball and he’s a lot stronger that people might think.”

And while the Geathers name probably helped him get his name out there, it’s not the only reason Kwame is going Division I, Thompson added.

“Getting noticed is only part of it,” Thompson said. “To go to a program like Georgia, you have to be able to play and you have to be able to make the grade, and Kwame is more than capable of both.”

Kwame Geathers marks the eighth player the Bears have had sign with colleges. Keshawn Frasier, Russell Perry and Arlington Scott all signed with Elizabeth City in North Carolina. Willie Dozer, Carlton Linnen, Michael Linnen and Johnny Washington all signed with Feather River Junior College in California.