Georgia jumps into top 3 of 2025 recruiting rankings

Georgia landed the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class last year, and the Bulldogs are chasing another one in 2025. Friday, UGA landed the commitment of five-star plus+ defensive lineman Elijah Griffin. In the process, it’s class jumped up to No. 3 in the country, passing Auburn and LSU to get there with Alabama and Ohio State still in front.

Griffin, who comes in at No. 5 overall and No. 1 among defensive linemen, is just the latest piece of a group that’s already pretty special. Five-star EDGE Isaiah Gibson and five-star linebacker Zayden Walker both rank as the top player for their respective positions per the On3 Industry Rankings, and according to Griffin, the Bulldogs might not be done.

“We already have a great class and a lot of top recruits are committed, but I will get in Justus Terry‘s ear,” Griffin told On3’s Chad Simmons. “I will make sure he knows it is time to come home. It is his decision and I won’t rush him, but he knows where home is. I will remind him of that.”

SIMMONS: More on Georgia’s pursuit of top-ranked class (+++)

Georgia’s defensive class also includes cornerback Shamari Earls (No. 66 overall, No. 7 CB), EDGE Darren Ikinnagbon (No. 68 overall, No. 8 EDGE), defensive back Todd Robinson (No. 161 overall, No. 5 ATH) and cornerback Jontae Gilbert (No. 180 overall, No. 22 CB) in the top-200. Safety Jaylan Morgan (No. 265 overall, No. 22 S), defensive linemen Stephon Shivers (No. 446 overall, No. 41 DL) and Jayden-Jamal Hanne (No. 733 overall, No. 71 DL) are also a part of the class, although Shivers recently re-opened his recruitment.

Meanwhile, on the offensive side are wide receiver Talyn Taylor (No. 40 overall, No. 8 WR), tight end Elyiss Williams (No. 44 overall, No. 2 TE), running back Ousmane Kromah (No. 87 overall, No. 4 RB), quarterback Ryan Montgomery (No. 120 overall, No. 11 QB), offensive lineman Cortez Smith (No. 146 overall, No. 10 IOL), offensive lineman Juan Gaston (No. 149 overall, No. 11 IOL), tight end Ethan Barbour (No. 221 overall, No. 13 TE), offensive lineman Mason Short (No. 262 overall, No. 19 IOL), wide receiver Tyler Williams (No. 312 overall, No. 46 WR), wide receiver Thomas Blackshear (No. 314 overall, No. 47 WR), offensive lineman Dontrell Glover (No. 332 overall, No. 23 IOL), wide receiver Landon Roldan (No. 388 overall, No. 59 WR) and running back Bo Walker (No. 407 overall, No. 31 RB). Like Shivers, Blackhsear recently re-opened his recruitment.

*** ALL RANKINGS LISTED ABOVE ARE PER THE ON3 INDUSTRY, A WEIGHTED AVERAGE UTILIZES ALL FOUR MAJOR RECRUITING MEDIA COMPANIES ***

In classes recruited entirely by Kirby Smart (since 2017), Georgia has finished no lower than No. 3 in the nation. The Bulldogs finished first in 2018, 2020 and 2024.

Griffin Scouting Report

Highly athletic, disruptive defensive lineman who looks like the top prospect along the defensive front entering his senior season. One of the top defensive line prospects in several cycles. Measured at 6-foot-4, 300 pounds with 34.5-inch arms and 10-inch hands prior to his senior season. Has continued adding mass and strength. Flies off the snap and darts into the backfield to create disruption with regularity. A very loose and fluid athlete, particularly at his size. Plays with outstanding leverage and body lean. Shows advanced hands at the point of attack and quickly neutralizes offensive linemen. Darts into the backfield to make plays behind the line of scrimmage at a high clip. Consistently wins in a phone booth with his combination of length, strength and first-step quickness. Has the speed in pursuit to track down running backs from the back side. Posted phenomenal production throughout his high school career, with 182 tackles, 61 tackles for loss and 35.5 sacks as a sophomore and junior. Shows his functional strength and short area explosion in track and field, where he’s posted a 52-2 foot throw in the shot put. Posts eye-popping numbers in the weight room, with a 405 pound bench press, 550+ pound squat and 315 pound clean prior to his junior season. Projects as a top defensive lineman with the ability to line up and disrupt from multiple spots on a defensive front. – Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting