Georgia Tech is the pick for Florida defensive line recruit Freddie Wilson

It came down to the wire for Freddie Wilson on Sunday.

The Port Orange (Fla.) Spruce Creek defensive line recruit announced his verbal commitment to Georgia Tech over finalists Miami and Minnesota.

Each program had reason to flex confidence leading up to the public pick, but Wilson made the call to Brent Key and company on Friday to deliver the good news.

The three-star will join a fellow Spruce Creek Hawk in the defensive line room next year.

“I have a teammate over there (Derry Norris) and he really likes it over there,” Wilson told Rivals. “The official visit was very nice, too. The players are like a brotherhood, a family.

“I want to be around that type of program.”

On the coaching front, the developmental record of the rising-senior’s position coach at the next level played a large role.

“Coach (Jess) Simpson, the defensive line coach, definitely puts players in the league,” he said. “He gets guys where they want to be, so that’s big.”

Key, Simpson and others created the most consistent approach among the finalists courting Wilson. Multiple had audible responses when the commitment news was delivered.

“They offered me in the spring, but they were on me since last season,” he said. “The coaches were hyped up about it. Their consistency, their energy and the vibe I get from them won out.

“I like it. I want to be around those type of people.”

GT heating up in the state of Florida

Wilson is commitment No. 20 for the Yellow Jackets in 2026. He is the fifth to pick GT from the Sunshine State to date, including fellow defensive recruits Alex Willis, Kymani Morales and Ladarrious Crumity.

As a junior in 2024, Wilson registered 65 total tackles, including seven for loss and five sacks. As a sophomore in 2023, he helped Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland capture a state championship.

Rivals’ Marcus Benjamin contributed to this story.