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Five Under Armour All-Americans announce college choices

Safety Deangelo Gibbs from Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) is staying home.

Gibbs, the highest-ranked player to announce Sunday at the Under Armour All-America Game on Sunday in Orlando, picked the Bulldogs. Gibbs is ranked No. 10 overall by the ESPN300.

Georgia has commitments from the top three recruits in the state for the first time in six years and has five of the top six, according to ESPN’s rankings.

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“It’s easy access to going back home and playing with a group of guys that I’ve grown up with,” he said. “I’m looking forward to enjoying my college years.”

As his mom said, “Keeping those Dawgs at home.”

Gibbs has 32 reported offers also visited Alabama, Auburn and South Carolina. He chose the Bulldogs over Alabama and will enroll early.

“As much as I can give,” he said when asked about expectations. “I expect a lot and the (fans) expect a lot from me. I’m just ready and prepared to go.”

Nathan Proctor selects Virginia Tech

Outside linebacker Nathan Proctor, ranked as the No. 11 player at his position, committed to Virginia Tech.

Proctor, from Lackey High in Maryland, citing the defensive scheme and the offense under coach Justin Fuente, who just finished his first year in Blacksburg.

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He said he plans to visit Penn State and Pitt this month before National Signing Day in February.

Proctor had 30 reported offers. He had only taken one official visit, to Virginia Tech on Dec. 9.

1/1/17 1:02:17 PM -- Orlando, FL, U.S.A  -- Team Highlight linebacker Nathan Proctor Jr. (21) goes back onto the field after announcing that he'll attend the Virginia Tech University during the 2017 Under Armour All-America High School Football game. Team Armour defeated Team Highlight 24-21. --    Photo by Matt Stamey-USA TODAY  Sports Images, Gannett ORG XMIT:  US 135884 Under Armour foo 1/1/2017 [Via MerlinFTP Drop]

Team Highlight linebacker Nathan Proctor Jr. goes back onto the field after announcing that he’ll attend the Virginia Tech (Photo: Matt Stamey, USA TODAY Sports)

Xavier McKinney to Alabama

Xavier McKinney, ranked as the No. 8 player at safety, selected Alabama in what surprised many in the recruiting world.

The Roswell (Ga.) star decomitted in July from the Crimson Tide but decided to recommit. Nick Saban and assistant Derrick Ansley made an in-home visit before the dead period began in mid-December. Many thought he was heading for Clemson.

“I thought it was the best place for me as a player and a person,” he said, surrounded by family.

An early enrollee, he took officials to Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Alabama and Auburn and said he was down to Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State.

He had 13 reported offers.

Breon Dixon to Ole Miss

Inside linebacker Breon Dixon, ranked as the No. 11 player at his position, choose the University of Mississippi over Louisville.

Dixon from Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) is a former Georgia commit.

As for why he picked Ole Miss, “When I took my trip out there, first it was being wanted early,” Dixon said. “The family feel you get there with the campus and the whole staff. It feels like they are there to look after their players. It was place place where I feel comfortable.”

Dixon said he plans to get recruiting to help convince other players to join him in Oxford.

New Jersey’s top-ranked player to Maryland

Athlete Markquese Bell, ranked No. 7 as an athlete, decided to leave New Jersey for Maryland.

Bell from Bridgeton, N.J., chose the Terrapins over Ohio State and had taken official visits to Virginia Tech, Ohio State, Maryland, Rutgers, Florida and Michigan.

An early enrollee, he becomes the 29th commit in Maryland’s class.

“Everybody there was happy to see me every time I went there and there is an opportunity to play early,” he said.

Although ranked as an athlete, Bell is expected to play defensive back in college. He had 76 tackles (46 solo), three tackles for loss, two interceptions, three pass defenses and a forced fumble during his senior season.

Tyler Shelvin reconfirms it’s LSU

Massive defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin, who has been an LSU commit, seemingly reaffirmed his commitment during an interview in the fourth quarter. Shelvin had said this week that he planned to announce from among LSU, Nebraska and Alabama, although he also was looking at potential January official visits.

Shelvin, 6-2 and 376 pounds, is ranked as the No. 3 defensive tackle in the class.

He committed to LSU in March 2015. Ed Orgeron was the first coach to offer him and now that Orgeron is the Tigers’ head coach, he has remained in constant contact with Shelvin and his family.

During the interview, Shelvin did not indicate that he was wavering and spoke glowingly about playing for Orgeron and LSU defensive line coach Pete Jenkins. Jenkins, the 75-year-old veteran of college and the NFL ranks, was added to the LSU staff when Orgeron was promoted to interim head coach after Les Miles was fired and intends to return next season.

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