Elite DL PJ Dean to choose between Georgia, Ohio State and South Carolina later this month

The end of June and beginning of July will be chock full of commitments. Clemmons (N.C.) West Forsyth four-star defensive lineman PJ Dean is adding his name to the list of elite prospects set to announce their college decisions in the coming days.

The versatile lineman told On3’s Hayes Fawcett on Tuesday evening that he’ll reveal his commitment on June 30. He will choose between Georgia, Ohio State and South Carolina.

Dean is the No. 81 overall prospect and No. 5 DL in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 7 player in North Carolina.

On3 ranks Dean higher than other recruiting services. The 6-foot-3, 255-pounder checks in as the No. 45 recruit, No. 4 DL and No. 5 player in the Tar Heel State, per the 2026 On300. Dean was originally ranked as a offensive line recruit.

The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) currently favors Ohio State for Dean, though South Carolina is right behind the Buckeyes entering the final week before he announces his decision.

Dean has taken official visits to each of his finalists. South Carolina got him back to campus again for an unofficial visit over the weekend. Gamecocks insider Chris Clark logged a pick in the On3 RPM in favor of Shane Beamer and Co. earlier on Tuesday.

“Right now, they [Georgia] are neck to neck with South Carolina; they’re my top two right now,” Dean previously told On3 before naming his final three schools. “Me and South Carolina, I’ve got that home feeling with them. Coach Shane Beamer and Coach (Kirby) Smart. I’m glad they’re neck and neck with it right now.”

Georgia has been right in the thick of Dean’s process down the stretch and the Bulldogs can never be discounted when comes to recruiting a player like the two-way lineman. He’s always had good things to say about the program in Athens and they’ll have a hat on the table next Monday.

“It really is just that they see me as an all-around athlete, a two-way killer,” Dean told DawgsHQ.com earlier this year. “It’s like, just knowing that they see that in me, that I should play defense there.  I was kind of scared, to be honest. It was kind of scary that schools wouldn’t look at me because I’ve been dropping weight so much. I was afraid my defensive film wasn’t good enough. I was just hearing that from them and I just didn’t believe in me.”