4-Star OL Kelton Smith to Georgia: "I know that's where I belong"

Georgia has had some top targets on campus for official visits the last two weekends. Kirby Smart and the staff in Athens have received great feedback from the recruits and a few may have hinted at commitments that are coming, but Kelton Smith is the first to pull the trigger publicly.

The 6-foot-5, 310-pound offensive lineman out of Columbus (Ga.) Carver committed to the Bulldogs over Florida State, LSU, and Texas A&M.

Georgia has been recruiting the No. 233 prospect in the On3 Consensus since last year, but there really turned it up the last few months. Since Smith was on campus in March for spring practice, both he and Georgia have had more interest in each other.

The official visit over the weekend led to Smith’s decision.

“I knew it on my official visit,” Smith told On3 about when he knew it was Georgia. “I went into the visit knowing I was high on Georgia, but during the visit, I knew I wanted to commit.

“Being around the team, spending time with the coaches, and just soaking everything in showed me all I needed to see. I knew then Georgia was my home. I know that is where I belong.”

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Offensive line coach Stacy Searels has been active with Smith, but it is running backs coach Dell McGee that has led the way for Georgia. They have a special connection.

“Coach McGee is like family. He grew up with my family. He knows my uncle and auntie very well. They are all from Columbus, they have known each other a long time, so coach McGee is close with all of us.

“Having him there just makes me that much more comfortable. Coach McGee and I talk every day. Then he checks up on my family all the time too. We all trust him, he is a great person, and coach McGee has been a big part of this with Georgia.”

What Georgia does as a program stands out too. From the way the coaches coach to the team attitude to the togetherness. Georgia is the fit.

“Georgia has everything I want. They develop players, they run a pro-style offense, they train like NFL teams, and they play for each other. It is the perfect fit for me. I love how the team works and I love how the coaches work. Georgia is home for me.”

Smith, the No. 13-ranked interior offensive lineman in the country has already tripped to Athens five times. He is likely to return later this summer, then again for multiple games in the fall. Smith knows where he wants to be.

“I love it at Georgia,” Smith said. “Everyone is welcoming. Everyone makes me feel at home. At Georgia, it is like family. It is like me being at home.”