Georgia Bulldogs battling for elite 4-star DL LJ McCray

The fight for Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland elite four-star defensive lineman LJ McCray is continuing into the fall. His recruitment has been whittled down to five schools — Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia and Miami — and a decision in October could be in the cards.

McCray is the No. 46 overall prospect in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 9 defensive lineman and No. 7 player in Florida.

Only FSU didn’t receive an official visit from the 6-foot-6, 275-pounder in June, but a coveted in-season trip to Tallahassee is scheduled for Oct. 7. The Gators have had McCray on campus six times and are the current favorite to land his pledge, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

Despite that, eyes are shifting to the Bulldogs in Athens as a potential suitor. On the latest edition of The Inside Scoop, DawgsHQ recruiting insider Jake Rowe broke down where Georgia stands in the running for one of the highest-ranked prospects left on the board in the 2024 cycle.

Florida’s upcoming season could impact Georgia

Georgia welcomed McCray for his official visit in the middle of June, which was subsequently followed with a return trip to the Peach State at the end of July. Defensive line coach Tray Scott and defensive coordinator Will Muschamp are leading UGA’s recruitment, which continues to take a positive shape.

“They got him on campus for an official visit, then they got him on campus again right there at the end of that July quiet period,” Rowe said. “I think Georgia’s definitely in this one and my gut feeling says Georgia’s gonna have a great shot in the end.”

This isn’t the first recruiting battle between the Bulldogs and Gators and it won’t be the last. Each program has snuck out wins over the other throughout the years, but Rowe pointed to an advantage that could push UGA past its rival for McCray: winning games this season.

“If the season goes like a lot of people think it’s gonna go for Florida, that’s gonna take a little steam out of it. Then you’ve got Georgia doing what it’s doing with defensive linemen,” Rowe said.

Watch out for the Seminoles

While Florida appears to be Georgia’s main competition, Rowe says to watch out for Mike Norvell and the Florida State Seminoles. After landing the likes of Buford (Ga.) Five-Star Plus+ safety KJ Bolden and Venice (Fla.) five-star cornerback Charles Lester III earlier this summer, FSU continues to look more and more enticing a recruit the caliber of McCray.

“I will say this, a lot of folks seem to think Georgia-Florida right now…I think Florida State getting this official visit sometime in October … that’s one to watch,” Rowe said. “Florida State’s doing a good job recruiting. I like Georgia by a nose right now, but I think Florida State can emerge in this one pretty quickly.”

Georgia is hopeful it will continue to build on its recruiting class, which ranks No. 1 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking. McCray would be the Dawgs’ seventh top-50 overall commit if he were to pledge, joining the likes of Buford (Ga.) Five-Star Plus+ quarterback Dylan Raiola, IMG Academy Five-Star Plus+ cornerback Ellis Robinson IV and Conroe (Texas) Oak Ridge Five-Star Plus+ linebacker Justin Williams.