Georgia trending for 4-star linebacker Kris Jones

Coming into the summer, the battle for Fairfax (Va.) four-star linebacker Kris Jones looked to between a pair of SEC football rivals: Florida and Georgia.

Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan have been in the mix as well, but only the Gators and Bulldogs locked in official visits in June with him.

“I like the SEC. The SEC has many of the best of the best,” he told On3’s Chad Simmons in April. “I want to be challenged and I know if I go there, I would go against top competition.”

Coming out of his visit with the Gators on June 2-4, Billy Napier and Co. had a lot of momentum. But since then, he took his official visit to Georgia and the Gators now have four linebackers committed after adding four-stars Aaron Chiles and Jamonta Waller this week.

The tide has turned back toward the Bulldogs, and after an expert prediction in favor of Georgia from GatorsOnline.com’s Corey Bender, UGA holds a significant advantage in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

Georgia’s production and NFL success appeal to Kris Jones

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Jones is the No. 124 overall prospect and No. 10 linebacker in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 1 player in Virginia.

The Bulldogs offered him last summer and have remained on him since. Their success at developing linebackers and preparing them for the NFL is a key selling point for Jones.

“Georgia is just Georgia. They are a powerhouse. They know how to build their players up and get them ready for the NFL,” he told Simmons. “I got to watch spring practice when I was there last time and it is different there. You could tell they won the national championship two years in a row. They had great energy, they were very physical and they were working hard on everything. I am excited to get back.”

The Bulldogs already have one linebacker committed in top-40 prospect DeMarcus Riddick, but could take as many as three to four with Jones, Texas-based five-star Justin Williams, and another Virginia native, Chris Cole, high on their board.

Georgia currently holds the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings by a significant margin, with 20 commitments already in the fold.