College coaches annually scour the country in search of left tackle prospects to help protect the quarterback’s blind side.

So it comes as no surprise that offers have poured in for JaWuan James, a 6-foot-7-inch 290-pound stud left tackle recruit from North Gwinnett High School.

“I am up to 32 offers,” James said. “UGA, Alabama, Florida, Oregon, South Carolina, Clemson, N.C. State, Wake Forest, Miami, schools like that.”

Despite James’ insistence that distance won’t be a factor in his decision, the Bulldogs appear in prime position to land his signature next February.

“I like Georgia a lot. It’s a great program, and they have a lot of offensive linemen that come out of there, and it’s the home-state school,” James said.

James’ relationship with offensive line coach Stacy Searles is also working heavily in Georgia’s favor.

“He’s a great guy, and from talking to him since last year, it’s been great getting to know him,” James said. “It seems like I’ve gotten to know him and the rest of the coaching staff very well. He seems like a great coach and a great person.”

Throughout the process, James has gotten to know another Georgia coach very well, too – head coach Mark Richt.

“He’s a really nice guy, and he has a lot of morals and values that my family likes and wants for me,” James said. “And from sitting down with him and talking to him and meeting him several times, it seems like the conversations just get better and better and more personal and more regular and not scripted. It’s not just about how they want me to come there, it’s just laid back, and we just talk.”

James claims no conference preference or leader and says he wants to take all of his official visits before coming to a decision.

In the meantime, he will be going on a whirlwind of unofficial visits.

“I’m going up to Alabama’s A-Day, then I’m going up to Tennessee this weekend and then Florida during the week because it’s my spring break this week,” James said.