On3 No. 1 IOL Casey Poe breaks down Georgia official visit

LINDALE, Texas — The nation’s No. 1 interior OL Casey Poe was back in Athens over the weekend as he took in the sights and sounds of the annual Georgia scavenger hunt.

One of the Dawgs’ biggest recruiting events of the calendar was also Poe’s first official visit, which provided the No. 34 player in the On300 for 2024 was even more perspective about the program.

“There were some really great names there,” said Poe, the top-ranked interior OL, who was joined on campus by a host of fellow players ranked atop their respective positions, including Five-Star Plus+ Geogia-committed QB Dylan Raiola, as well as Justin Williams, KJ Bolden, Jeremiah Smith and Sammy Brown, among others.

“What breaks it down more than anything: it was good company,” he continued. “They’re big names, five-stars, and we broke it down and built friendships with everyone. It was my first official visit, so I didn’t know what to expect, but it was fun. People say it’s a machine and no friendships are made, that you’re clocking in, punching your time card, and on your on your way — and that’s not true. I saw Tate (Ratledge) and the rest of the OL getting to bond with each other, hanging out with everyone else. There’s a relationship aspect to it.”

“Something people don’t talk about is the relationships. They’re also winning back-to-back national championships, so there’s something to be said.”

Relationships loom large for Poe

Poe’s official visit to Georgia was highlighted by Kirby Smart’s annual scavenger hunt, but that was just an appetizer to the experience.

“We were getting after it,” Poe said. “It was competitive. All of us were competitive. I jumped into the water fountain, then we were running to the next destination. It was just a really fun time.”

This trip to Athens was scheduled well in advance — unlike his first.

During a Southeast tour this spring, Poe received a text from Georgia OL coach Stacy Searels between visits to Georgia Tech and Clemson. The relationship has blossomed ever since.

“That was my first time ever talking to him and he said I had an offer and to come down to practice, and we went from there,” Poe recalled.

After more face-time with Searels this weekend, Poe appreciates the direction of their connection.

“Coach Searels is special,” he said. “He hung out with my mom and dad, with me and all the players. He made sure to bound around. It surprised me and I thought it was a big deal.”

Athens stands out as a college town

Poe has three major criteria in place when evaluating college programs. It includes culture, relationships and his view through a religious lens.

After spending more time in Athens, the elite OL found more appeal about Georgia.

“Something that really stood out that I hadn’t thought about was the town surrounding it,” Poe said. “It’s beautiful. at Georgia. It’s built on rolling hills. Everywhere you go, you walk, the streets are pretty. It’s a little muggy and a little hot, but. it’s blooming and looking nice and you can get around campus easily.

“Everyone in town is all in on Georgia,” he continued. “Everyone around there knows the players and the fans all know what’s going on. It’s a cool college atmosphere and a great college town.”

Poe has four more official visits locked in for June. That begins with trips to Clemson (June 2-4), Texas Tech (June 9-11), Auburn (June 16-18) and Alabama (June 23-25). Oklahoma and LSU are in the mix for the next wave of official visits.

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