2025 4-star safety Jontae Gilbert sets trio of January visits

After being committed to Ohio State for a year, Atlanta Douglass four-star safety Jontae Gilbert backed off his pledge to the Buckeyes at the end of July.

Since then, the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder has released a new top schools list and is now set for three visits this month. On3’s Chad Simmons reported earlier this week that Gilbert will visit Georgia (Jan. 13), Tennessee (Jan. 20) and South Carolina (Jan. 27) to round out the first month of the year.

Gilbert will make the SEC rounds as he works toward his next decision. He has already made multiple visits to each of the three campuses he’ll step foot on over the next three weekends.

Gilbert is the No. 30 overall prospect and No. 3 safety 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. 6 player in Georgia.

South Carolina, Clemson battling for On3 RPM lead for Gilbert

The elite defensive back’s top schools list features USC, South Carolina, Texas, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Clemson, Colorado, Auburn, LSU, and NC State. Of the 10, it’s Clemson and South Carolina that sit atop the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

Dabo Swinney and the Tigers had Gilbert on campus in November and December to round out 2023. Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks have stayed steady and are also continuing their pursuit.

“South Carolina has been as consistent with Gilbert as any program. That makes a difference. Even before he committed to Ohio State, and while he was committed, the Gamecocks made Gilbert feel like a priority,” Simmons wrote back in October. “He has a great connection with Torrian Gray. Gilbert likes his experience in the NFL and Gray has made him feel like a priority. Shane Beamer is heavily involved as well.”

Georgia can never be written off for any top recruit it goes after — especially one that resides in the Peach State. Tennessee has also curated some momentum on the recruiting trail under Josh Heupel and will look to make an impression on Gilbert this month. USC is another school that has been mentioned as a frontrunner for the four-star.

Gilbert has an On3 NIL Valuation of $108K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.

Jontae Gilbert Scouting Summary

“Heady secondary player who has tremendous instincts and feel for as a zone and man defender. Great understanding of what receivers are trying to do when setting up their routes. Quality defensive back build measuring in at nearly 6-foot-2, 190 pounds during summer camp visits with an impressive 6-foot-6 wingspan. Can play as a slot corner, boundary corner or hang defender depending on the scheme. Physical player in press coverage and more than willing in run support. Solid long speed on the track running 23.69 in the 200m and 11.76 in the 100m during his sophomore track and field season. High floor prospect who can play a multitude of roles in the secondary and around the box.”