In April 2006, Wadesboro, N.C. native Trinton Sturdivant committed to play football at Georgia and put recruiting behind him.

Unfortunately for the four- star recruit, other schools did not stop calling until he signed his letter of intent for Georgia in December.

But the offensive guard graduated and enrolled early and already is on campus.

“It was really hectic,” Sturdivant said. “That’s why I’m glad I committed to Georgia early.

“People from all across the world were calling me and it was getting annoying and running the phone bill up.”

Like most recruits, Sturdivant still took a few official visits to other schools to make sure Georgia was in fact where he wanted to spend his college career.

In addition to looking at Georgia, he visited Florida, Notre Dame and Penn State.

“When I went to Penn State, they gave me a coat, sweater and some gloves and I was so cold I didn’t even watch the game,” Sturdivant said. “I was just covering up. I knew I couldn’t play up North.”

Sturdivant also didn’t want to play for Bulldog arch-rival Florida despite a full-on recruiting push by the Gators.

“Florida recruited me way harder than anyone else, but I really liked Georgia,” he said. “They were calling and text messaging every day. They were just doing so much.”

Since enrolling at the University this semester with 16 hours, classes, workouts and adjusting to campus life have kept him busy.

“As soon as you wake up you’re busy and you don’t stop being busy until like 10 at night,” he said. “It’s been killing me.”

Sturdivant has more to worry about than just getting used to his new home.

He still is rehabbing his knee he injured in a playoff game.

He then reinjured the knee, tearing the cartilage while practicing for the Army All-American game.

He had to change his workouts as a result of his injury. Since he can’t run, he is working out his upper body.

Sturdivant said his knee should be healed in about two weeks.

Despite all the work, he said he knows Georgia is the place for him.

“I felt … like I was destined to be here,” he said. “Every time I came here, I felt at home.”

Like many Georgia students, Sturdivant went to high school in a small town and still is adjusting to the big city of Athens.

“Wadesboro is a lot smaller. It’s very small compared to Athens. We just got a Super Wal-Mart.”

Despite his 6-foot 4-inch, 280 pound size, Sturdivant is not immune from getting a little home sick.

He rode home a couple weeks ago with backup quarterback Joe Cox, who also is from the Charlotte area.

Now, Sturdivant is ready to see the field and show what he can do.

“I feel that I have what it takes to get on the field next year,” he said confidently. “I really feel that I can contribute to the team.”

That might not be easy.

Sturdivant will compete for playing time with five other guards in this recruiting class in addition to upperclassmen on the team.