4-star safety Jontae Gilbert commits to Georgia: 'It is a top program and I get to stay home and play for it'

Atlanta Douglass safety Jontae Gilbert visited Georgia in late May, the middle of June and in late July. Each visit, the Bulldogs moved up his list and the four-star has committed to the in-state program over NC State.

Who Georgia is, how Georgia works and the players he will go against in Athens led Gilbert to Georgia.

“Georgia competes,” Gilbert told On3. “There is great competition there every day and I want to be a part of that. On the practice field, in the weight room, in the film room – Georgia goes hard. They are different and that was a big reason why I committed to Georgia.

“Coach Kirby Smart and coach Glenn Schumann running the defense is something I want to be a part of too. They play fast, they run a scheme that fits me and I can fit well in it. Then they are in the SEC. The best play in the SEC and I want to play the best.”

Staying home means something to Gilbert

Georgia was never out of this race completely. Gilbert committed to Ohio State early in the process, so Georgia slowed things down for a little while. Enter coach Donte Williams, who made the move to Georgia from USC late in 2023.

The communication picked up, the visits took place and the Bulldogs pushed their way to the top.

“Georgia was always in the back of my mind from the beginning because putting it on for my home state means something to me,” Gilbert said. “I always wanted to stay home, be a hometown hero and there is nowhere better to do that than Georgia. Georgia is a top program and I get to stay home and play for it. It is hard to get better than that.”

Smart’s program made a move quickly throughout the summer. Early in 2024, South Carolina had the lead. Clemson was a favorite in the spring. Georgia Tech and UCF were in this. NC State was trending at one time.

The month of June changed everything for the No. 135 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking.

“After the official visit to Georgia, things really picked up for me. After that visit, I was talking a lot with the coaches and a lot of the commitments and that is really when things changed. Coach Williams was recruiting me hard, coach Smart started reaching out almost daily and that is when I really started thinking I was going to Georgia.”

The attitude in Athens appeals to Gilbert

Georgia has won two of the last three national championships. Those that follow Georgia know coach Smart is always pushing for his team, his staff and his players to work harder and to get better. Smart loves competition and so does Gilbert.

“Anyone that knows me, knows my mindset is to do whatever it takes to win,” Gilbert said. “That is why I love coach Smart. I love his demeanor, how competitive he is and how he is a winner.

“He wants to win. He recruits guys that want to work and win. At Georgia, I get to play for the best and battle against the best every day. We will all have the same mindset there and I love that.”