Georgia Tech has received a commitment from a state not typically part of its recruiting territory. Defensive end William DePaepe, a three-star prospect from Moline (Illinois) High, announced his commitment Monday on social media.
DePaepe, listed at 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds, is a top-900 prospect nationally (247Sports Composite), making him Tech’s second highest-rated prospect among its six committed players for the 2024 class, following linebacker Jordan Boyd from Aiken, S.C.
The offer from Tech was one of two that DePaepe has reported, the other from Ball State.
Football players do not often venture to Tech from Illinois. The last Yellow Jackets player from the state was linebacker Tyler Marcordes, who finished his Tech career in 2015. DePaepe’s connection with Tech is defensive line coach Marco Coleman, who was on the Michigan State staff for the 2022 season before returning to Tech in January.
“(Coleman) had been recruiting me at Michigan State before he left for Georgia Tech so he was one of the main reasons for my final decision,” DePaepe wrote in a Twitter direct message to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
DePaepe announced his offer from Tech Jan. 17. DePaepe’s older brother Andrew was a four-star prospect in the 2023 class and signed with Michigan State.
DePaepe said he had been interested in playing in the South, “so Atlanta was a beautiful spot to live and play some football.”
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