SEC Champ Game Special: Alabama vs. UGA recruiting battles

Alabama vs. Georgia. The powerhouse programs have accounted for five of the last eight national championships. They also battle for supremacy each year on the recruiting front. Alabama had the No. 1 class in ’23. The Bulldogs currently have the top overall class per the On3 Sports Industry Ranking in ’24.

Below is a look at the intense recruiting battles between the high caliber programs. It includes several players in the ’24 class, and a few notable commitments in the ’25 class.

BIG GAME SPECIAL: Have you subscribed to BamaOnLine.com yet? You can sign up for ONE MONTH of premium access to our Alabama coverage for just $1! Be able to read all of BOL’s premium articles and nuggets covering Alabama sports and recruiting and also join thousands of other Crimson Tide fans around the globe on the BOL Round Table message board!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN!

Alabama commitments

Peyton Woodyard, Top 100 S, St. John Bosco, Bellflower (Calif.)

Woodyard saw his recruitment take off the summer prior to his sophomore season at St. John Bosco. He earned several scholarship offers including one from Alabama and Georgia in 2021. Woodyard took multiple visits to Georgia before announcing his commitment to the Bulldogs in January. Alabama had a few coaching changes which included Defensive Coordinator (Pete Golding) and safeties (Charles Kelly). Woodyard retuned to Tuscaloosa in April (first trip back in almost two years). He took an official visit in June and an August flip. Woodyard grew up a huge Alabama fan.

Amari Jefferson, Top 100 WR, Baylor School, Chattanooga (Tenn.)

The skinny: The four-star WR entered the ’24 cycle as a Tennessee baseball commitment. He was considered a heavy UGA-lean earlier this year prior to taking an unofficial visit to Alabama in early March. Jefferson returned to Tuscaloosa along with Georgia and Tennessee for official visits. The Bulldogs fell behind the Crimson Tide and Vols late in the process. Jefferson visited Alabama and Tennessee again in late July prior to flipping his baseball commitment to Alabama football where he intends to play both sports. 

Must-Read: Alabama looking for top three finish in ’23 class (On3+)

Casey Poe, Top 100 Interior OL, Lindale HS (Texas)

The skinny: The life-long Alabama fan didn’t want his fandom to get in the way of his recruitment. Poe took his first official visit (in May) to Georgia. The final trip was in Tuscaloosa prior to the dead period. There may have been a little bit of pressure on the UGA side for a decision in early July prior to a few other OL targets revealing their intentions. Poe informed UGA they were not the choice,  and a few weeks later announced his commitment to Alabama. 

Don’t Miss: Alabama commits/targets predict SEC Championship game (On3+)

Caleb Odom, Top 100 TE, Carrollton HS (Ga.)

The skinny: The No. 1 tight end, per On3 Sports, announced his commitment to Alabama in July. This was not viewed as a Bama/UGA battle, but is one the in-state school shifted some attention to this fall. Odom has not indicated any plans to visit Athens prior to signing day. UGA wide receivers coach Byran McClendon attended one of his games in October. Alabama is in great shape to keep Odom. Both sides appear happy with its TE class. 

Ryan Williams, ’25 Five-Star WR, Saraland HS (Ala.)

The skinny: The Five-Star Plus+ receiver committed to Alabama more than a year ago. It hasn’t stopped others from pursuing including the Bulldogs. Williams has kept the door slightly open in his recruitment which has included multiple visits to Athens including earlier this season. Williams is considered a solid commitment to Alabama, but continues to speak with the UGA staff. Auburn is also hoping it can flip the No. 1 receiver. 

Watch the latest video content with our staff on the BOL YouTube Channel!

Georgia commitments

Ellis Robinson IV, Five-Star CB, IMG Academy in Bradenton (Fla.)

The skinny: The Five-Star Plus+ cornerback is considered one of the top prospects in the country. Alabama was involved heavily. The Crimson Tide landed Robinson’s IMG Academy teammate Desmond Ricks, who was at once a classmate before reclassifying. Robinson chose Georgia and has kept hearing from Alabama but has remained locked in on Georgia. Robinson expects to enroll at Georgia in January.

Demello Jones, Top 100 CB, Swainsboro HS (Ga.)

The skinny: Jones had Georgia near the top for much of his recruitment. Alabama was one of the other programs in it from the start as well. The Crimson Tide was one of the first to offer before Georgia landed his commitment.

Daniel Calhoun, Four-Star OL, Walton HS in Roswell (Ga.)

The skinny: Calhoun had Georgia and Alabama going head to head nearly from the day his recruitment began. Both programs offered him early on. Georgia and Alabama led the way in most visits taken before Georgia won out.

Justus Terry, ’25 Five-Star DL, Manchester HS (Ga.)

The skinny: Both Georgia and Alabama jumped in early for Terry. He committed to the in-state program early in the process. The Crimson Tide will be one of the programs Georgia will have to fend off over the next year to land Terry’s signature. He made his way to Tuscaloosa early in the fall.

Micah Debose, ’25 Top 100 interior OL, Vigor HS in Prichard (Ala.)

The skinny: Debose committed to the Bulldogs 11 months ago. He has visited Alabama several times since his decision including multiple games in Tuscaloosa this fall. Georgia is fighting to keep Debose in its class. Debose was also in Auburn for the Iron Bowl last weekend. Both in-state schools believe it has a chance to flip the No. 1 interior OL.

CLICK HERE to download the On3 Sports App!

Want to talk with the BOL staff and also thousands of other Alabama fans? CLICK HERE to join daily conversations about the Crimson Tide and much more on the BOL RoundTable!