Four-star safety Peyton Woodyard flips to Alabama from Georgia

Georgia is down a commit for the Class of 2024 for the third time in recent weeks, and this time, it’s four-star prospect Peyton Woodyard, who’s flipped his commitment to Alabama

A product of Belflower, California’s St. John Bosco High, Woodyard was previously committed to the Bulldogs since early January, having made his pledge at the Adidas All-American Game in San Antonio. Since that time, he’d spent several trips in Athens, including an official visit in early June.

“The official visit to Georgia was great because I had an opportunity to have my entire family there enjoying the experience,” Woodyard told DawgsHQ’s Jeremy Johnson earlier this month. “I had an opportunity to speak with the coaching staff, and understand my role on the team, and how I fit into their scheme. Coach Muschamp and coach Fran as well as coach Kirby (Smart) really like the way I know their defense already. Each visit to Georgia has provided me additional information about not only the football but more importantly, the stuff they do outside of football for their players.”

But his status as a pledge didn’t stop others from pursuing heavily, as Alabama and Southern California have kept the pressure on in a big way for his services. He’s clearly been paying attention to those pitches, as well.

“To be able to sit down and see the plan they had mapped out for Peyton really made us feel like a priority,” his father, Gerald, told Andrew Bone of BamaOnLine. “Peyton plays in a similar style defense at Bosco. He has an intimate understanding of the defense. He would have an opportunity to come in and make an immediate impact. He will have to work hard for it. Nick Saban said he (Peyton) is one of, if not the top safety recruit in the country. That’s really exciting to hear that coming from his mouth. He’s also intimately involved in coaching defensive backs. It’s just a really good opportunity.”

Woodyard is the second safety to recently decommit from Georgia, joining Florida-based defender Jaylen Heyward. Linebacker Demarcus Riddick also decommitted from the Dawgs flipping his pledge to Auburn recently.

Peyton Woodyard ranks as the nation’s No. 86 overall prospect and the No. 4 safety in the 2024 cycle.

On3 Scouting Report on Peyton Woodyard

“Polished, refined safety with well-rounded skills in coverage and run defense. Measured at a shade over 6-foot, 200 pounds prior to his senior season. Has a muscled, developed build. Stars on the back end for one of the nation’s top high school programs. Lines up at safety and in the slot. Finished his junior season with 53 tackles, 8 pass breakups and one interception. Sees plays quickly and shows good instincts. Does a nice job recognizing route concepts. Refined footwork in coverage. Has adequate deep range. Shows some coordination in playing the ball. Assertive in working downhill as a run defender. Physical and lowers his shoulder on contact. Will come into college with a more advanced understanding of defenses given his experience at St. John Bosco. Does not have strong marks relative to verified athleticism. Long speed and athletic upside are not as noteworthy as many of his fellow blue-chip safety prospects. Works in a specialized role as a one-way player for a powerhouse high school program and does not have the breadth of playmaking experience of some other top safety prospects. Has the look of a high floor prospect who could be primed to contribute early in his career given his polish and refined game.” – Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings on Peyton Woodyard