Georgia trending for two of the nation's top defensive prospects
Kirby Smart and Georgia have made their bones as the nation’s preeminent football program by building out elite defenses year in year out.
The Bulldogs are coming off a No. 1 recruiting class in 2024, and with the state of Georgia being loaded again in 2025, they have eyes on repeating the feat. For that to happen, Smart and Co. will need to lock down the Peach State, which features nine players ranked among the nation’s top 50 in the On3 Industry Ranking.
UGA already has commitments from two of the top five in-state prospects — defensive lineman Justus Terry and tight end Elyiss Williams — and is trending for two more.
Five-star linebacker Zayden Walker and Five-Star Plus+ defensive lineman Elijah Griffin are both favored to land with the Bulldogs, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).
Bulldogs battling Miami, FSU and more for Walker
The 6-foot-1, 225-pound Walker has been trending Georgia’s way since September, when On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons logged an expert prediction in favor of the Bulldogs. He nearly committed to UGA during the season, but opted to hold off and take more time with his recruitment.
“At different times, there have been different programs competing with Georgia for the top spot on Walker’s list,” Simmons wrote at the time. “But Georgia has always been right there at, or near the top. South Carolina was viewed as a strong contender early. Florida State has had Walker on campus numerous times. Miami came on over the summer. All three programs are still there, as are others, but early on, all are chasing Georgia.”
Walker named Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, South Carolina, Penn State and Miami as his top schools this fall, and he’s already taken a visit back to Georgia this month.
Florida State (January 20), Miami (January 27) and South Carolina (February 3) are expected to host him over the next few week.
Five-Star Plus+ DL coming off recent visit to Athens
Griffin, meanwhile, is fresh off a visit to Athens over the weekend. And the nation’s No. 1 defensive lineman, who is also considering Clemson, Alabama and many others, is also trending Georgia’s way.
Simmons logged a pick on Monday afternoon for the Bulldogs to win out with Griffin, pushing them heavily into the lead in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).
“Leading up to this weekend, I have viewed Georgia as the favorite to land Griffin,” Simmons wrote in explaining the pick. “After this weekend, the buzz is even higher around the Bulldogs. Griffin had his grandmother on campus for the first time. His younger sister loved it in Athens. His mother is very comfortable with the staff and Georgia continues to sit in a good spot for the No. 1 prospect in their state.
After talking to sources, I have logged a pick for Georgia on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. South Carolina is viewed as Georgia’s biggest competition. Griffin is visiting Florida this weekend, then Clemson on Jan. 27. Griffin has always talked about making a decision late in the process, but there is a chance he decides to commit earlier. That is something still being discussed.”