ATHENS — When Cam Newton was starring at an Atlanta-area high school, the Southeastern Conference school in his home state tried to recruit him.

The Georgia Bulldogs didn’t see him as a quarterback, however.

Coach Mark Richt said Tuesday that Newton was recruited to play tight end, a position that Georgia felt the 6-foot-6, 250-pounder was better suited for in its offensive scheme.

Newton wound up at Florida as a backup to Tim Tebow, spent a year at a junior college in Texas, then returned to the SEC with Auburn. He’s led the No. 2 Tigers (10-0, 6-0 SEC) into national championship contention and is considered the favorite for the Heisman Trophy heading into Saturday’s game against the Bulldogs (5-5, 3-4).