Georgia Bulldogs sign top recruiting class in 2024 cycle
For the first time since the 2020 cycle, Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs have the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.
As the dust from Early National Signing Day settles, UGA has signed 28 prospects — including three of the 15 highest-ranked in the 2024 cycle, as well as a whopping 19 four-stars. Smart and the Dawgs’ staff added at least one blue-chip recruit to the fold every month this calendar year.
From an absolutely loaded group of defensive linemen, to a stout trio of linebackers and running backs, to the top two defensive backs in the nation, UGA managed to strike every cord this cycle — even signing a top-10 quarterback after losing a commitment from one just two days before NSD.
From commitments at the end of 2022 to a Five-Star Plus+ flip at the final bell, Georgia asserted its dominance on the recruiting trail from start to finish. The SEC once again reigns supreme in the recruiting world, but the title is headed to Athens this time, not Tuscaloosa or College Station.
Georgia’s class checks all the boxes
Things picked up steam in February, when New Haven (Conn.) native and Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy Five-Star Plus+ CB Ellis Robinson IV committed to the Dawgs. The 6-foot, 175-pounder is the No. 3 overall prospect and top-ranked CB in the On3 Industry Ranking and headlines UGA’s class. He’s one of three top-15 CBs in the class, alongside Swainsboro (Ga.) four-star Demello Jones and Nashville Christ Presbyterian four-star Ondre Evans.
Joining Robinson at the top is Conroe (Texas) Oak Ridge Five-Star Plus+ LB Justin Williams, who now checks in at No. 8 overall and is the top-ranked LB in the cycle. He’s flanked by Salem (Va.) four-star Chris Cole and Fairfax (Va.) four-star Kris Jones, the No. 3 and No. 11 players at the position, respectively.
The cherry on top for the Bulldogs’ 2024 class arrived on NSD, as Buford (Ga.) Five-Star Plus+ safety KJ Bolden flipped to the in-state juggernaut from Florida State. He’s the No. 13 recruit and top-ranked safety in the cycle
Williams’ Oak Ridge teammate, five-star DL Joseph Jonah-Ajonye, is the No. 6 DL in the cycle and is one of six defensive linemen in the class. Dublin (Ga.) four-star Nasir Johnson flipped from Florida on Nov. 15. Johnson, Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco four-star Jordan Thomas and Lawrenceville (Ga.) Mountain View four-star Justin Greene are all top-200 recruits.
Raymore (Mo.) Peculiar four-star TE Jaden Reddell is the highest-ranked recruit on the offensive side of the ball for UGA this cycle, checking in as the No. 55 prospect and No. 4 TE. He’s one of three top-100 offensive recruits in the fold, joining Santa Ana (Calif.) four-star RB Nathaniel Frazier and South Bend (Ind.) Northwood four-star WR NiTareon Tuggle.
Despite losing out on Buford (Ga.) five-star QB Dylan Raiola to Nebraska, Georgia is still bringing in one of the best signal-callers this cycle. Avon (Conn.) Old Farms four-star Ryan Puglisi committed to UGA back in October 2022 and ranks as the No. 124 overall prospect and No. 9 QB this cycle.
Roswell (Ga.) Walton four-star IOL Daniel Calhoun headlines six recruits on the offensive line as the No. 128 recruit and No. 6 IOL. A quartet of four-stars help beef things up in the trenches, including Copperas Cove (Texas) OT Michael Uni and Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic OT Nyier Daniels.
In total, 21 of the 28 commits are top-300 prospects and range across 10 different positions. Georgia is set to welcome an illustrious group of recruits to Athens.