Georgia trending early for major targets in 2025 recruiting class
Georgia has its eyes set on becoming the first program since Alabama in 2014-15 to repeat as the No. 1 overall class in the On3 Industry Football Recruiting Rankings in back-to-back years. The Bulldogs ran away with the crown in 2024, signing 23 blue-chippers, including five 5-star prospects.
They’ll have some strong competition this time around from the likes of Ohio State and LSU, both of whom already have three five-stars pledged. But the state of Georgia is loaded this cycle, and UGA fully plans to take advantage of that, targeting a number of elite in-state recruits.
The Bulldogs are already trending in a big way with a handful in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).
Five-Star Plus+ DL Elijah Griffin
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 4
On3 RPM: Georgia 96.8%, South Carolina 1.5%
Intel: “Leading up to this weekend, I have viewed Georgia as the favorite to land Griffin. 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.” — Chad Simmons, On3 Director of Recruiting (Jan. 15)
5-star LB Zayden Walker
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 16
On3 RPM: Georgia 77.0%, Florida State 5.0%, South Carolina 4.3%, Miami 3.6%
Intel: “At different times, there have been different programs competing with Georgia for the top spot on Walker’s list. 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. I like where the Bulldogs sit for Walker and have put in a pick for the Bulldogs on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.” — Chad Simmons, On3 Director of Recruiting (Sept. 17, 2023)
4-star EDGE Isaiah Gibson
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 37
On3 RPM: Georgia 96.0%, South Carolina 1.1%
Intel: “Gibson is deeply familiar with the Georgia staff, has been able to make the trip to Athens with some frequency early on in his recruitment, and he fills a major need for the Dawgs as a potential EDGE or five-technique depending on how he fills out. Right now, it’s all working together in Georgia’s favor from where I’m sitting. Let’s call this one a 60-percent chance for now, as well.” — Jake Reuse, DawgsHQ.com (March 5)
4-star WR Travis Smith
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 99
On3 RPM: Georgia 95.4%, Auburn 1.4%
Intel: “Georgia has put itself in a good position early in the new year. Smith has visited Athens over half a dozen times. He is familiar with the culture under Kirby Smart, the talent in Athens appeals to him and he already feels like part of the family.
Bryan McClendon spent a lot of time with Smith over the weekend too. The two have a strong relationship. That connection, the location, Georgia’s consistency and the buzz coming out of the weekend has the Bulldogs trending for one of the best in the Peach State.I have logged a pick for Georgia on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.” — Chad Simmons, On3 Director of Recruiting (Jan. 16)
4-star SAF Lagonza Hayward
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 113
On3 RPM: Georgia 84.4%, Florida State 5.0%, Alabama 4.3%, Tennessee 2.7%
Intel: “I’ve put in a pick for Georgia to land Toombs County (Lyons, Ga.) safety Lagonza Hayward. Georgia offered the 6-foot-1 198-pound prospect last month. Hayward has gotten to know co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Travaris Robinson quite well over the past six weeks. One of Robinson’s first stops was at Toombs High School where he visited with the four-star talent. Hayward is being pursued by a number of other programs and it seems there’s some high interest in playing wideout. Georgia, evidenced by the deployment of Robinson to recruit him, likes him at safety. My confidence level in this pick is 60 percent.” — Jake Rowe, DawgsHQ.com (March 5)
4-star EDGE Darren Ikinnagbon
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 118
On3 RPM: Georgia 91.7%, Penn State 3.6%, Rutgers 2.1%
Intel: “Ikinnagbon has burst onto the scene after the evaluation period. Georgia has made him a priority and he’s taken to their recruitment. The Bulldogs are in a good spot and will get the first official visit. There’s a reason for that. Ikinnagbon is a major cultural fit at Georgia. He’s also been open about naming Georgia as a program at the top of his board. That has been one of the key reasons why I have logged my prediction here.” — Jeremy Johnson, DawgsHQ.com (March 5)