John Atkins cleared by NCAA, will enroll early at UGA

Defensive tackle John Atkins will be allowed to enroll at Georgia early after the NCAA Clearinghouse corrected a mistake on his transcript, according to Michael Carvell of the AJC.

Atkins signed with Georgia out of Thomson High School, but he didn't meet academic requirements. So the 6'4", 310-pounder went to Hargrave prep school to improve his academics. He reported to Hargrave this week, but one of his coaches noticed one of his grades wasn't "reported correctly," according to Carvell, allowing him to enroll at UGA.

"I feel good, I feel blessed," Atkins told the AJC on Thursday evening, while making the six-hour trip from Virginia to Georgia.

"I couldn't believe it when I heard it. They told me ‘You're going to Georgia, and you will be there by tomorrow."

Atkins, a four-star recruit, will be available to practice with the team this spring. He's expected to fill a hole at nose tackle. The Bulldogs could use him, as they'll lose a number of starters to graduation.

The Bulldogs are coming off a 12-2 season that finished with a 45-31 win over No. 16 Nebraska in the Capitol One Bowl. Georgia nearly pulled off an upset in the SEC Championship game, falling to No. 2 Alabama, 32-28.