4-star CB Shamari Earls flips his commitment from South Carolina to Georgia

Chester (Va.) Thomas Dale four-star cornerback Shamari Earls chose South Carolina on April 20 over Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas A&M. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound defensive back visited Columbia three times since committing to the Gamecocks, he didn’t get to Columbia for an official visit. Instead of visiting South Carolina on June 21 as scheduled, he visited Georgia and he has flipped his commitment to the Bulldogs.

“When I committed to South Carolina, I feel like I committed a little too fast,” Earls told On3. “I didn’t lay out all my options and go through every single thing. After taking some visits and looking at the options, I have decided Georgia is the best place for me.”

The competition in Athens led Earls to the Bulldogs.

“To be the best, you have to play with the best. Georgia is the best. They have great players, great coaches and it is an elite program.

“When I was there on my official visit, I got that feeling. I came back, thought about for a few days, and hands down, Georgia is where I want to be.”

Earls feels like he could be a successful defensive back at Georgia

The No. 3 player in Virginia shared that Georgia is “in a fight” with Michigan and South Carolina to land his signature on a National Letter of Intent at the end of his recruitment. Earls is happy that he is still considering the Bulldogs as he continues to decide where he wants to play college football. 

“I related to all the coaches,” said Earls, the No. 69 overall prospect and No. 8 cornerback in the 2025 On300. “I got together with them and had a conversation with Kirby Smart about how I would fit in the scheme. On the visit, I was talking to the players and they were telling me how bad coach Donte Williams wants me and how I can fit in there. 

“Having five defensive backs coach – coach Will Muschamp, coach Smart, coach Travaris Robinson, coach Donte and coach Prather Hudson – it’s all you can ask for. To be a good defensive back and play with the best, you should be at Georgia.” 

Two Georgia assistants are led the push for Earls

Robinson and Williams played key roles in getting Georgia involved with Earls. The four-star has worked out for Williams – the Bulldogs’ defensive backs coach – who came to watch him at practice. 

As Georgia’s co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach, Robinson has spoken with Earls multiple times about how he can help the Bulldogs’ secondary. Earls is impressed at how Robinson previously developed defensive backs for the NFL at Alabama and South Carolina, along with Georgia’s success on the field over the past few years.

“Now, he’s at Georgia,” Earls said of Robinson. “He’s going to develop players because of his history.”