Tag: EJ Lightsey

Georgia redshirt freshman LB enters transfer portal

Georgia Bulldogs redshirt freshman linebacker enters the transfer portal

Multiple sources are reporting that Georgia Bulldogs redshirt freshman linebacker E.J. Lightsey is the 10th Georgia player to enter the transfer portal. Lightsey, three-star member of the class of 2022, played in four games during the 2022 season. Lightsey did not play any during the 2023 season.

E.J. Lightsey recorded three tackles in 2022. He will seek more playing time at his transfer destination.

Lightsey is not the only Georgia linebacker that intends to transfer. Georgia linebacker Xavian Sorey has also entered his name into the transfer portal.

The Bulldogs elected to start freshmen linebackers Raylen Wilson and CJ Allen down the stretch with starter Jamon Dumas-Johnson out with a broken forearm.

E.J. Lightsey played high school football at Fitzgerald High School in Fitzgerald, Georgia. He was shot multiple times after he signed with Georgia in 2022, but recovered and was able to return to football. We wish him the best at his new home.

 

 

LB EJ Lightsey commits to UGA

Dawgs add another one.

On Wednesday, 2022 3-star linebacker EJ Lightsey chose to commit to the Georgia Bulldogs over Auburn, LSU and South Carolina.

Lightsey, a former Florida commit, hails from Fitzgerald, Georgia and ranks as the nation’s No. 494 overall player and No. 49 ranked linebacker, per 247Sports’ Composite Rankings.

During his senior season, Lightsey won the GHSA Class 2A state championship with Fitzgerald High School while being named the Peach State’s Class AA Defensive Player of the Year by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a MaxPreps Small Town All-America Football first-team selection.

Florida football impresses commits and targets against FAU

Florida made some progress with these recruits on Saturday.

The Florida Gators hosted 86,840 fans on Saturday as they beat Florida Atlantic, 35-14. Three particular people in attendance left Ben Hill Griffin Stadium thinking about the future: 2022 Florida linebacker commit E.J. Lightsey, 2023 four-star defensive lineman Derrick LeBlanc and 2023 four-star linebacker Grayson Howard.

Lightsey is in his last year of high school and verbally committed to Florida in the middle of August. His first time visiting the Swamp, Lightsey was impressed by what Florida had to offer. The fans were loud, the lights were brighter and the linebackers showed him a glimpse of what his Saturdays will look like in the future.

“Where I come from, we don’t do all that,” Lightsey said when asked by GatorsTerritory about the passion Florida fans bring. “The fans, they were amazing. It was one of the factors that I took in when I made my decision.”

After seeing the team play, Lightsey commented that he thinks he’ll fit right in with the defense when he gets to Gainesville. Howard, who is still considering his recruiting options, made similar remarks regarding the atmosphere and play from the linebackers.

“While watching the linebackers I could tell Ventrell Miller was the leader of the defense,” Howard said to 247Sports. “And also Diabate stepped up too and made a couple clutch stops. The defense played really good tonight, that’s something I would like to be a part of is a good defense that flys around and makes plays.”

The Gators offered Howard a few days ago and it’s the one he’s been waiting for. Following the season opener, Howard’s relationship with Florida seems incredibly strong.

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LeBlanc was on his second visit of the year to Florida after observing a camp in summer. Unable to visit in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, LeBlanc was excited to finally experience a gameday. Edge rushers Zach Carter and Brenton Cox Jr. spoke with the prospect before the game and told him the “d-line was going to do their thing.” Carter finished the night with three sacks.

The competition for LeBlanc is fairly strong with Alabama, Ohio State and Georgia all in the hunt. He’ll return for Florida’s game against Alabama, and that game could have a big impact on his decision.”

“I thought the defense played really good, LeBlanc said, according to 247Sports. “But I just want to see them against Bama. I am going to be back for that game in two weeks, so I want to see how they are against those guys.”

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Linebacker EJ Lightsey breaks down commitment to Florida

Three-star linebacker EJ Lightsey became the 12th commit of Florida’s 2022 recruiting class. He spoke about why he chose the Gators.

Three-star linebacker EJ Lightsey became Florida’s 12th commit in its 2022 recruiting class when he chose the Gators Monday. He is the second linebacker to team up with Florida this cycle. Four-star linebacker Shemar James gave his pledge to the Orange and Blue back in June. After his commitment, he spoke with Swamp247 to explain his commitment.

He said his recruitment came down to Florida, Georgia Tech, Auburn, LSU and Georgia. The Gators gained an advantage over the others due to their great atmosphere.

“Just the people there made them stand out,” Lightsey said, according to Swamp247. “I feel like if I go there and do what I need to do, I can get on the field. When you talk about academics, they are in the top 10 for that plus a good football team. That is one of the things I really thought about too when I was committing.”

His relationship with linebackers coach Christian Robinson played a significant factor in his decision. Lightsey believes he can help him get to the next level if he heeds his coaching.

“It was a big thing getting there on the visits I took, but the love he showed me was something that helped us bond,” Lightsey said. “Ever since he offered me, he’s been in touch with me and reaching out to me and making sure we are good. He makes sure my family is alright and he gives me more of a family vibe than a coach. He talks to me about life and we talk almost every day. I feel like I can talk to him about anything and he is more than just a coach to me.”

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Lightsey said that he was a silent commit to Florida since June. He committed to the Gators back during Friday Night Lights. Coach Dan Mullen and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham were really excited when he gave them the news.

When projecting where he’ll play when he gets to Florida, Lightsey said the coaches told him that they believe he can play its three linebackers spot because of his versatility.

He added that he’ll come back to the Swamp when the Gators play Alabama.

“I really have seen everything, but now I just want to experience game day and all that,” Lightsey said. “I want to bond with the people and the school and people around the campus. I have seen everything, but just want to see a game day experience. It’s going to be rocking in there too with it being the Alabama game.”

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Gators out in front for this much-sought linebacker recruit

EJ Lightsey dropped his list of top six schools Friday via Twitter, but he wasn’t shy about dubbing the Florida Gators as his leader.

Three-star EJ Lightsey may have dropped a list of his top six schools that include Florida, Georgia, LSU, FSU, Georgia Tech and Auburn. But he named the Gators his leader in an interview Thursday with Swamp247. He visited the Orange and Blue twice in June that were his first visits to Gainesville ever.

“Seeing everything in person, it was everything I expected it to be,” Lightsey said, according to Swamp247. “I expected Floria to be a great place and have a great atmosphere and all that. I have watched videos on YouTube about them, so when I went there really wasn’t any differences. The thing that stood out to me the most about Florida is the people and the love they show.”

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The best aspect about the Gators, to Lightsey, is his connection with linebackers coach Christian Robinson. He also likes the Otis Hawkins Center, the academic center for UF’s student-athletes.

“Coach Robinson is just a straight-up dude,” he added. “He tells me all the time that whatever I want to do in college I can do it with him as long as I buy into what he says and do everything he tells me to do. He’s going to make sure his players are the best version of themselves. He’s going to make sure they accomplish their dreams.”

When Lightsey watched film with coach Robinson, he told the Georgia linebacker that he can play all the spots in Florida’s linebacker room, which is what the NFL looks for.

Even though he dropped his top six schools, he wasn’t shy to admit that they are all chasing Florida.

“I would say Florida is the leader right now,” Lightsey said. “They have been recruiting me very hard and showing me I am a priority. They make you feel like family and make you feel like you can come in and do everything you want to do. They also have a good education, and I think about life after football. They are one of the top academic schools, so I know even if the NFL doesn’t happen, I know Florida will have me successful to do what I want to do.”

Lightsey plans to use his official visit to the Gators when they play Alabama.

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LSU in the mix for 3-star LB

LSU football could add a linebacker to its 2022 recruiting class in this three-star prospect.

LSU football season may be months away, but if there’s one thing that truly never stops for head coach Ed Orgeron and his staff, it’s recruiting.

The Tigers are in the mix for several standout prospects across the nation, including Class of 2022 three-star linebacker EJ Lightsey of Fitzgerald, Georgia (Fitzgerald).

Lightsey may not be as highly ranked as some other players at the position, but his offer list doesn’t reflect that.

In fact, he’s got just as many top schools after him as some of the five-star prospects do.

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Lightsey currently holds offers from Auburn, Florida State, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan, and Virginia Tech along with several others.

The linebacker made clear that LSU was one of his top options, though he doesn’t seem to feel particularly strong toward any of his top three.

“I don’t have one leader,” Lightsey said in an interview with 247Sports. “I got Florida standing out, FSU standing out, and LSU.”

Lightsey also said that he’s always been a fan of the Tigers — something that may help bring him to Baton Rouge.

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“I have always been a fan of LSU,” explained Lightsey. “You can tell, with Coach Orgeron, he is special. When I got on the phone with him, it’s just a different type of feeling from Coach O. Me and him are seeing eye-to-eye on that front.”

LSU has 13 players committed to its 2022 recruiting class, none of which are linebackers.

It will be interesting to see if the Tigers can pull their first in Lightsey.

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