Georgia has No. 2 class in the SEC following latest commitment

Despite owing a pair of commitments from four-star athletes, Georgia entered July without a pledge from a listed defensive back. That changed in a big way on Sunday.

Chester (Va.) Thomas Dale four-star cornerback Shamari Earls announced that he has flipped his commitment to the Bulldogs from South Carolina. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder is a top-100 recruit and the No. 8 corner in the nation, per the 2025 On300.

The big-time flip bumped UGA up one spot in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings to No. 4 in the nation, leaping LSU in the process. After signing the No. 1 class last cycle, the Dawgs are poised to make a run for that top spot for a second consecutive year.

“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.”

Dawgs continue to rake in Top-100 prospects

According to the 2025 On300, seven top-100 recruits are now committed to UGA this cycle. Five of those elite prospects are on the defensive side of the ball.

Ellaville (Ga.) Schley County five-star linebacker Zayden Walker and Warner Robins (Ga.) five-star EDGE Isaiah Gibson each joined the class in June, flanking Folkston (Ga.) Camden County five-star tight end Elyiss Williams at the top of the class. All three are top-30 prospects and the top-ranked player at their respective positions, per the On3 Industry Ranking.

“It felt like home,” Walker told On3 upon his decision. “I made my decision to commit to Georgia over the weekend when I was on my official visit. I had been close to committing before, but that was the right time. My family was there, I knew that is where I wanted to go and I made my decision.”

Geneva (Ill.) four-star wide receiver Talyn Taylor is the nation’s No. 9 wideout, while Hillside (N.J.) four-star EDGE Darren Ikinnagbon is the No. 9 EDGE in the cycle. Bogart (Ga.) Prince Avenue Christian four-star defensive lineman Christian Garrett is On3’s No. 5 DL and No. 62 overall prospect.

Buford (Ga.) four-star linebacker Jadon Perlotte, Findlay (Ohio) four-star quarterback Ryan Montgomery and Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton four-star tight end Ethan Barbour are all top-200 recruits.

Evans (Ga.) four-star interior offensive lineman Mason Short and Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes four-star IOL Dontrell Glover provide some beef in the trenches, while Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day four-star athlete Thomas Blackshear and Valdosta (Ga.) four-star ATH Todd Robinson add some versatility.