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2026 safety Darnell Collins commits to Georgia Tech

hunterby:Hunter Shelton•06/02/25•

HunterShelton_

NCAA Football: Gasparilla Bowl-Georgia Tech at Central Florida
Dec 22, 2023; Tampa, FL, USA; The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets mascot performs prior to the Gasparilla Bowl between the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the UCF Knights at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Rome (Ga.) three-star safety Darnell Collins has committed to Georgia Tech.

The 6-foot-3, 185-pounder announced his decision on Monday following an official visit to the ACC program over the weekend. He had official visits to Indiana, Kentucky and NC State also on the schedule for later this month.

Earlier on Monday, GT also added a commitment from Collins’ Rome teammate in wide receiver Jeremy Winston.

Collins is the No. 601 overall prospect and No. 51 safety 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. 64 player in Georgia.

Previously hinting at a July 4 decision, Collins has now pledged to head coach Brent Key and the GT staff after spending time on The Flats. He plays on both sides of the ball at the high school level.

The addition of Collins brings Georgia Tech up to seven commitments this cycle. The Yellow Jackets are looking to build off signing a top-25 class in December and they continue to load up in the secondary.

More on Georgia Tech Recruiting

Of the seven commits in Georgia Tech’s class, four are defensive backs. Manchester (Ga.) four-star CB Jaedyn Terry pledged at the end of March and highlights as the No. 343 recruit and No. 33 CB in the cycle.

March also brought commitments from Quitman (Ga.) Brooks County three-star CB Traeviss Stevenson and Madison (Fla.) County three-star CB Ladarrious Crumity.

“I chose Georgia Tech because it is the best place for me and for the education,” Stevenson told On3’s Chad Simmons. “The coaching staff, the culture and how they practice are other things I love about Georgia Tech.”

Two more in-state prospects currently round out the class in Acworth Allatoona three-star running back Xavier Rucker and Carrollton three-star linebacker CJ Gamble.

The 2025 cycle was a very successful one for Key and GT. The Yellow Jackets inked 24 high school prospects and compiled the nation’s No. 24 class, per the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. A pair of elite in-state prospects — four-star safety Tae Harris and four-star interior offensive lineman Josh Petty — headlined the top signees as top-100 overall prospects.