Despite a Texas tease, Northwestern’s DeAndre Baker signs with Georgia

DeAndre Baker baffled University of Texas fans on the eve of National Signing Day with a tweet of running Longhorns. But the Northwestern defensive back stuck to his gut and donned his red University of Georgia Bulldogs hat amid applause and an anxious audience Wednesday morning at the high school.

“I was just having a little fun, that’s all,” Baker said. “They have a pretty big fan base. Texas just signed a couple defensive backs and Georgia needs defensive backs. That would be the best opportunity for me. They say the SEC is the closest thing to the NFL so I want to prepare myself.

“Texas is a long way from home. That played a small role in it as well. They say as long as I work hard, I’ll be a star.”

Defensive backs Khalid McGee signed with USF and Xavier Bailey signed with FAMU. Other Bulls signed to play in Mississippi, South Carolina, Arkansas, Massachusetts, and Alabama.

“The coaching staff made me feel like I was home,” McGee said. “I have a great bond with all the coaches and people on campus. It brings a smile to my face to see my teammates being successful as well as myself. I was so close to committing to Wisconsin, but I switched to USF. It was a family decision.”

First-year coach Max Edwards said this round of athletes couldn’t be replaced.

“What it does is make them understand they can’t do anything until they do it academically,” Edwards said. “If they play as a team they will see these rewards.”

This story was originally published February 4, 2015 at 11:54 AM with the headline "Despite a Texas tease, Northwestern’s DeAndre Baker signs with Georgia."