Georgia's Kirby Smart brings helicopter in pursuit of top Benjamin prospects Chauncey Bowens, Amaree Williams
PALM BEACH GARDENS — University of Georgia football coach and two-time defending national champion Kirby Smart's helicopter touchdown at the Benjamin School on Wednesday answered any doubts about whether Palm Beach County was on the map.
Throughout the offseason, the Bucs' campus has been a hot spot thanks to the name and talent of four-star Chauncey Bowens, attracting coaches from around the country seeking to court the running back away from his current commitment to the University of Florida. UGA offered Bowens in early December.
Ahead of his latest suitor's 10:30 a.m. arrival, when asked whether flashy showings like Smart's could have any sway before putting pen to paper in 2024, Bowens flashed his trademark braces-filled smile and said, "No comment."
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Anticipation filled the air as the blades whirred closer to Benjamin's makeshift landing pad, the baseball field. Bowens promptly hopped up from his seat on the golf cart and held up his phone.
"I've got to get a video of this," he said.
Smart landed, shook hands with Benjamin coach Eric Kresser, and the two headed into the school where Bowens was waiting. Smart climbed into the chopper to head back on the recruiting trail at 11:17 a.m.
"He was supposed to be in the air by 11:15," Kresser said.
He could've shopped around longer, Kresser said, but Smart ultimately added Bowens, as well as sophomore Amaree Williams, the son of former NFL running back Moe Williams, to his list of recruits with committable offers.
Kresser was certain after the visit that Bowens was Benjamin's most coveted recruit in program history, reflecting on how heavily Smart recruited Kaiir Elam before the Buffalo Bills' cornerback decided on Florida.
"I think everybody is starting to realize that there are a lot of elite players in Palm Beach County," Kresser said. "If we could just get them [recruiters] to stop driving south of the border then we'd probably be competitive with Miami. There's a lot more people down there, too."
"He looks like an NFL guy and the way he takes care of his body is a big part of it," Kresser said of Bowens, reminding that the family is full of "physical specimens" with a name drop of big brother C.J., preparing for his second season at Army.
"There's several names I can think of right now when talking about elite players in the county and I think it's all going to come out here in the next season or two," Kresser said.
Here's what to know about the two latest potential Bulldogs.
Chauncey Bowens, RB, Class of 2024
Height/weight: 6 feet, 205 pounds
By the numbers: Contributed 967 yards on 133 carries and eight touchdowns, including four 100-plus yard performances, despite missing three games on Benjamin's route to region semifinals. As a sophomore, tallied 1,193 yards and 12 touchdowns in 10 games.
Offers on the table: Florida, Arkansas, Georgia, Auburn, Coastal Carolina, Colorado, Duke, Florida A&M, Florida State, Illinois, Indiana, Louisville, Marshall, Miami, Rutgers, Syracuse, Temple, Tennessee, Central Florida, South Florida, West Virginia
Amaree Williams, Edge/Flex, Class of 2025
Height/Weight: 6-foot-5, 200 pounds
By the numbers: Posted 40 tackles highlighted by a team-leading 14 for loss. Added another roster-high 15 sacks plus two interceptions. Offensively, caught seven passes for 137 yards and four touchdowns.
Offers on the table: Georgia, Auburn, Florida Atlantic, Kentucky
Emilee Smarr is a high school sports reporter for the Palm Beach Post. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Georgia's Kirby Smart brings helicopter in fight for UF commit Chauncey Bowens
