The University of Georgia just added a big piece of its 2017 class when five-star Robert Beal (Norcross, Ga./IMG Academy) committed to the Bulldogs.

"It feels great to be a Dawg," Beal said. "I can finally breathe and focus on my senior season and my future in Athens."

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The 6-foot-4, 240-pound edge rusher chose Georgia over Alabama, Florida State, and Notre Dame, as well as 32 other programs. Beal visited Georgia on June 7, which he admits was a turning point in his recruitment.

"I finished making my decision last week," Beal said. "I figured out the University of Georgia was the right place for me. It is where I want to be. My last visit, about two weeks ago, I knew that's where I want to be. That is when I found a home. Georgia has a lot of special things going on right now. I want to be a part of that."

It appears Kirby Smart and his coaching staff gave Georgia a legitimate shot at landing the five-star.

"Georgia is different," Beal said. "I got to build relationships with coaches over time. I got to see the old coaching staff and the new coaching staff. The new coaching staff changed my mind about Georgia.

"I like Kirby Smart a lot. He is an intense guy. He does not just sit back and watch. He goes out and gets in your face if he needs to. Kevin Sherrer is pretty cool and we are pretty much the same. We do not talk much, but we get the job done."

The pitch from the Bulldogs was simple.

"They told me they do not want me, they need me," Beal said. "They said they would take me tomorrow if they could."

Beal gave Georgia the news, and unsurprisingly, it was met with jubilation.

"They were happy," Beal said. "I talked to Coach Smart and Coach Sherrer. They were real happy when I told them. They started jumping up and down."

A similar reaction came when the Beal household got word of where the No. 30 prospect in the country, per the 247Sports Composite, would be attending college.

"My dad was excited," Beal said. "He has been a Dawg fan forever. My mom was really happy too because it is not too far away from home."

Ever since he came to Norcross (Ga.), Beal has drawn comparisons to a former five-star who is now at Georgia.

"I am bringing that speed rush back, like Lorenzo Carter," Beal said. "He is like my big brother. When Lorenzo was a senior and I was a freshman, people told me I was just like him. I saw him play and that is not a bad guy to be compared to."

Beal, now the No. 8 prospect in Florida per the 247Sports Composite, has had a familiar voice, at least for those who follow Georgia recruiting, in his ear.

"They are trying to bring a national championship back to Georgia," Beal said of Georgia's recruiting this cycle. "I talk to Richard LeCounte III a lot. He said they need me, that they were trying to build something special at Georgia. You are the missing piece that we need. I think we have a chance to sign the best recruiting class ever for Georgia."