2026 4-star safety Zech Fort commits to Georgia

In December, Zech Fort named Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Notre Dame and Ohio State as his top six schools. The four-star safety at IMG Academy knew he wanted to commit early in the new year and he has committed to Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs.

“Since I visited Georgia when they played Tennessee, I knew it,” Fort told On3. “Seeing what Georgia was like and what they represent as a team as a program, we represent a lot of the same things.

“Then talking to coach Kirby, coach Donte (Williams) and coach T-Rob (Travaris Robinson) on that visit too made a big impact on me. They are top coaches, they produce top players and Georgia is a top program that will compete for national championships every year. Who wouldn’t want to go to Georgia?”

Fort is commitment No. 5 for Georgia in 2026.

Georiga is building a pipeline to IMG Academy

Georgia has landed guys like Nolan Smith, Ellis Robinson, Joenel Aguero and others from IMG Academy. Smart and co. love to recruit that national program in Bradenton (Fla.) and Fort knows why.

“Georgia produces great players. They coach up safeties and develop players. IMG is just like college and you are competing with the best, training with the best facilities and getting coached by the best coaches. That is what Georgia is on the next level. That is why a lot of IMG kids like Georgia a lot. There is a lot of correlation.”

Fort found what he was looking for at Georgia

It came down to development and relationships for the No. 102 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking. Georgia beat out the Irish and the Buckeyes.

“Coach Smart played safety, and he is a legend, so there is nobody better to teach me than him,” Fort said. “Coach Smart has great football knowledge and we have a great relationship. My mom likes him a lot too.

“Coach Donte is there too. He is from Los Angeles and I knew him at USC. Coach T-Rob recruited me at Alabama, so our relationship goes back too. I am comfortable with the coaches and they push there players to be the best.

“Then I get to play in a great environment too. At the Tennessee game, I wanted to put my pads on and play in that game. Going to Georgia, I will be in big games like that almost every week. I will play against the best, practice against the best and be coached by the best.”