Georgia jumps near top five in On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings
Georgia has plenty of work to do if it wishes to repeat atop the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings this cycle, but the Bulldogs made progress with a big commitment on Saturday.
Hillside (N.J.) four-star EDGE Darren Ikinnagbon announced his pledge at the Bulldogs spring game, becoming the third highest-ranked commit in the mix for Kirby Smart and his staff. He is the No. 60 overall prospect and No. 7 EDGE in the 2025 On300.
“It’s about the culture and the winning mentality that all the players had when I was talking to them,” Ikinnagbon told On3 upon his commitment. “They just want to win. I think Georgia can go to the national championship. I am going to be surrounded by winners and people are going to push me the hardest every day and make me be my best self.”
The addition of the 6-foot-5, 240-pounder bumped Georgia up from No. 10 to No. 7 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. UGA now also owns the No. 3 class in the SEC, behind just LSU and Alabama.
Georgia Class Breakdown
Of Georgia’s seven commitments, four project to the offensive side of the ball and three are expected to play defense at the next level. After seeing five-star defensive lineman Justus Terry of Manchester (Ga.) flip to USC, four-star tight end Elyiss Williams, linebacker Jadon Perlotte and Ikinnagbon are the only UGA commits to rank in the top-100 in the country. Five of the seven commitments hail from the Peach State.
Before the addition of Ikinnagbon, the latest addition to the class for Georgia was four-star offensive lineman Mason Short, a one-time Alabama commit who reopened his recruitment when Nick Saban retired. The Evans (Ga.) standout is Georgia’s first commit on the offensive side of the trenches this cycle.
Top Bulldogs Offensive Commit: TE Elyiss Williams
One of two elite offensive prospects in Georgia this cycle, Williams ranks as the nation’s No. 26 overall prospect and No. 1 tight end nationally at this point. On3’s Scouting and Rankings team writes this about him as a prospect:
“Rare combination of athleticism and size for the tight end position. Stands in at nearly 6-foot-7 with crazy bounce and ability to play above the rim which stems from his dominance on the hardwood. Smooth mover in space that can win vertically up the seam with his top-end speed. Has the fluidity and looseness in his hips in order to win in intermediate routes as well. Physical and more than willing blocker at the line of scrimmage. Plays with tenacity and ferocity at the point of attack. Comfortable pass catcher but will need to get stronger catching the ball away from his frame more consistently. Has all the physical and athletic tools that offensive coaches covet at the position. Extremely high upside prospect.”
Top Defensive Commit: LB Jadon Perlotte
No program has recruited linebackers like Georgia has, Perlotte could be the next great one out of Athens. He committed to the Bulldogs more than a year ago, and while other programs remain in pursuit, he looks to be locked in with UGA.
On3’s Scouting and Rankings team gives their take on him:
“Instinctive downhill linebacker prospect that has a knack for bringing down ball carriers and sniffing out plays before the ball is snapped. Excellent ability to diagnose and trigger to the football. Great burst, closes quickly and can change direction with ease. Physical player that can shock and shed blockers between the hashes. Solid top-end speed to get from sideline to sideline. Ran an 11.53 100m in his sophomore track and field season. High floor prospect who will need to add some mass throughout his frame at the next level but should fill out with ease.”