Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:31 AM

Immigration flap may cost Georgia a football recruit

A new immigration policy may be the reason one Georgia football recruit has changed his mind about his interest in the Bulldogs.

Bradwell Institute (Hinesville, Ga.) offensive lineman Chester Brown initially said on July 15 he intended to sign with Georgia on signing day (Feb. 1). On Wednesday, Bradwell Institute principal Scott Carrier told the Savannah Morning News that an immigration issue at Georgia has changed Brown's mind.

Brown and his family moved to Hinesville from Long Beach, Calif., in 2008. His parents are from Samoa.

Students who can't prove they're legal U.S. residents can't enroll at the University of Georgia and four other state public colleges under policies adopted by the state board of regents in October 2010.

"Unfortunately that's something I can't discuss," Carrier told the Morning News when asked where Brown was born.

The Georgia regents policy prohibits any public college or university from allowing illegal immigrants to enroll if the school had turned down any academically qualified applicants for admission during the two most recent academic years. It requires that applicants' residence status must be checked by admissions officials.

Brown is 6-5 and 323 pounds and is considered the 56th best player in the state by Rivals.com. Others schools interested in him include Central Florida, Tulane and Syracuse.