Coveted 4-star WR Marcus Harris takes official visit to Georgia

Georgia has already compiled plenty of talent on the offensive side of the ball in its 2025 recruiting class, but the Bulldogs would love to add a pledge from a top-notch wide receiver.

Enter Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei four-star Marcus Harris, one of UGA’s top targets on the board entering the summer. The 5-foot-11 pass-catcher was back in Athens for his official visit as a part of a major recruiting weekend for the touted SEC program.

in the G with it #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/UL4FPSPeAd

— Marcus Harris (@marthagreatest) May 19, 2024

UGA is battling Alabama, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas for the blue-chipper. According to On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons, Kirby Smart’s program “had some ground to make up” for Harris in the lead-up to his OV. Texas is trending in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, but Oregon also looks to be at the top.

This is still a tight battle, and each school that Harris visits in the coming weeks, has a chance, but the people, the feeling he had and the connection with the staff at Oregon has the Big Ten program in a great spot,” Simmons wrote.

“Texas is right there, and “not far behind” based on intel. Chris Jackson is from Mater Dei and the wide receivers coach in Austin has a strong connection to Harris and his circle.”

Even still, Georgia can never be counted out when it’s in a race for a high-profile prospect. Trips to Athens usually result in a momentum boost, and Harris feels like a priority to Smart and is building a relationship with new receivers coach James Coley.

“That was one of my first big offers. Went out there to camp the start of my sophomore year and that’s when my recruitment really took off. Got to see the facilities, things like that. Coach Kirby Smart, you know, he’s that guy. The whole staff is welcoming,” Harris said of UGA on ‘The Five Star Flex’ last month. “They had Coach (Bryan McClendon) before, but he went to the NFL, so at that point I thought it was kinda over with Georgia, cause it’s kind of too late in my recruitment to build a relationship, but I didn’t know that, until Coach (James) Coley came.

…All the coaches are cool like that, they for sure have a lot of Cali connections, so that’s good also. Being able to talk to Coach Smart, he’s a legend for sure and he’s always going to compete for a national championship and that’s something I’ve always wanted to do.”

Harris’ four other finalists are also set to receive officials. Trips to Alabama (May 31), Tennessee (June 7), Oregon (June 14) and Texas (June 21) could prove decisive as he continues to work towards a decision.

Harris is the No. 152 overall prospect and No. 15 WR in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 16 player in California.