Georgia lands a commitment from 2026 4-star WR Vance Spafford: 'Georgia has the best of everything'

Tustin (Calif.) Mission Viejo four-star wide receiver Vance Spafford took one visit to Georgia. And that’s all it took. The No. 74 prospect in the 2026 On3 Industry Ranking was in Athens less than a month ago for the Mississippi State game and he has committed to the Bulldogs.

“Like they say, when you know, you know,” Spafford told On3. “I definitely felt it right after we left the facility to go home from Georgia. I wanted to take my time because I didn’t want to just react off of emotion. I just wanted to make sure. And my feelings kept stable for about three weeks and I was ready to make the move.”

Since Georgia offered, they have recruited Spafford hard. Since the visit, he has been talking with James Coley and Mike Bobo on a regular basis. He has the relationships, he loved Athens and Kirby Smart’s program checks all the boxes for Spafford.

“Georgia’s has the best everything. I want to win games in college. So you go to the best team. They have always the best of the best. Georgia has a great defense, they have a great offensive line, which attracts a great quarterback. And then great quarterbacks attract great receivers. So I love the way they get talent and how the coaches call plays. Their play calling is great. Coach Bobo does a really good job and I think it’s a very good fit for me.”

Spafford is commitment No. 3 for Georgia’s class of 2026. He joins defensive backs Dominick Kelly and Jontavius Wyman.

Spafford’s visit to Georgia changed the game

Heading into the visit to Georgia in October, Spafford wasn’t really thinking about committing. He was high Ole Miss and other schools were on his radar. He was just starting to identify schools he liked, but his time in the Classic City changed things.

“When I went there, obviously, they were already very high board just for being Georgia, but, I’ve been to other places, so I wasn’t thinking I was going to feel the way I felt. I’ve kind of always liked the places I visited, but when I went to Georgia, it was like, it really felt good. Everything about it felt really good. And it felt right. People had been telling me I would know and I did when I was there.”

Around the game, the Georgia coaches showed Spafford plenty of attention on his visit. That had an impact on his decision.

“When I went there, I just felt really prioritized. Even with a lot of other recruits there, like D.J. (Dijon Lee), Justus Terry and some other five-stars, I felt like they still really prioritized me. They made sure I was good and that I knew they wanted me.

“Even coach Bobo’s and coach Kirby Smart‘s dads came up to me before the game and were telling me about how I should go to Georgia. That was awesome. They knew who I was and I felt wanted and appreciated there.”. It was just really nice to kind of feel appreciated there.”

The decision came a lot sooner than Spafford expected it to

Spafford named his top eight schools not that long ago. He thought he would take official visits next year, then commit, but his plans changed. He is committed and he is even surprised himself.

“I’m definitely surprised I committed this early,” Spafford said. “The goal was to commit around June 20-23 next year, but things change. I always said, if it feels like home, then there’s always a possibility. Georgia felt like home. I’m definitely surprised that I felt this way and have committed this early, but I’m happy it’s happening.”

Ole Miss was on his mind. Nebraska was in play too. Arizona was a school high on his board. Georgia has what Spafford wants and that is why he committed three months into his junior year.

“I know where I want to be. Coach Coley is my guy. I love coach Bobo’s offense. D Hill (David Hill) has recruited me hard. I had a plan, but it changed after that Georgia visit. My feeling there was different.”