Where the top 10 recruits in Georgia for the 2024 class are signed

Despite having a fraction of the population of states like Florida, California and Texas, the state of Georgia continues to churn out elite football recruits at an unprecedented level.

In the final On300 rankings released earlier this week, the Peach State finished second in the total number of prospect represented, despite having half the population of the top-ranking state, Florida. But the talent isn’t all concentrated at the top, with dozens of coveted prospects stretching to every corner of the state.

With the conclusion of the 2024 class coming up and all major recruiting services locking in their rankings, On3 looks at who the top 10 recruits in Georgia are and where they’ll begin their college football careers.

1. SAF KJ Bolden – Georgia

On3 Industry Ranking: No. 14
School: Buford (Ga.)
Scouting Summary: “KJ Bolden is one of more versatile athletes in the 2024 cycle with considerable upside as a safety. Measured in at 6-foot, 185 pounds prior to his senior season. Has good length with 32-inch arms. Posted strong track marks as a high school underclassman with a personal best of 10.76 seconds in the 100 meters. Also tests well in the combine setting. Plays both ways for Georgia powerhouse Buford High as a receiver and defensive back. Projects as a defensive back and likely at safety long-term, where his combination of athleticism and length makes him one of the nation’s best.

… Flashes outstanding play speed on Friday nights. Closes quickly with physicality in defending the flats. Has shown good deep range in coverage both on Friday nights and in 7-on-7. Played a bunch of offense as a junior. Shows good playmaking ability and overall athleticism on that side. While his ball skills are good for a safety, they would need to improve were he to play offense in college. Has not replicated his impressive track times later in his high school career. Has a relatively smaller sample size relative to some of his highly-touted peers on defense heading into his senior season.”

2. QB Dylan Raiola – Nebraska

On3 Industry Ranking: No. 21
School: Buford (Ga.)
Scouting Summary: “Dylan Raiola has advanced arm talent with the ability to make a wide variety of high-level throws as a high school signal-caller. Was identified as a top arm talent and quarterback in the 2024 cycle early on in his high school career. Physically developed at around 6-foot-3, 220 pounds with a 9.75-inch hand. Has continued to add mass later on in his high school career. Owns a natural, loose throwing motion with arm dexterity to deliver off-platform and from multiple arm slots. Showed a deep catalog of throws as a sophomore. Easily drives the ball to all levels of the field. Showed off one of the cycle’s best deep balls at the Elite 11 Finals. Played both under center and in the shotgun as a junior.

… Ahead of the curve as a ball-handler and in the quick passing game. Shows good footwork and awareness in the pocket. Capable of creative plays in the face of pressure. Completed 64% of his passes for 2,287 yards (8.7 yards per attempt) and 21 touchdowns against 5 interceptions as a junior. Primarily a pass-first quarterback as a junior, not running for many yards and finishing with -92 yards rushing – an anomaly for a top quarterback prospect. Will need to show more mobility and playmaking ability and up his overall play as a senior. Can let his throws hang at times. Transferred to his fourth high school prior to his senior season. The son of 14-year NFL center Dominic Raiola. Also a standout baseball player as a pitcher and catcher early in his high school career.”

3. LB Sammy Brown – Clemson

On3 Industry Ranking: No. 22
School: Jefferson (Ga.)
Scouting Summary: “Sammy Brown is a physically developed two-way star with an elite combination of size and athleticism. Has measured in at 6-foot-2.5 and around 230 pounds. One of the top jumbo athletes in the 2024 cycle with eye-popping marks as a sprinter. Was a state finalist in the 100 meters as a junior, consistently running in the 10.8-10.9 second range. Transfers that speed over the field where he stars as a running back and linebacker. A twitchy, fluid mover. Lines up as an inside linebacker for hi s high school. Flashes his top-end speed as an excellent pursuit defender. Runs sideline to sideline with ease. Showed improvement as a take-on defender as a junior. Closes quickly and finishes with physicality.

… Shows outstanding conditioning and effort level as a two-way player. Has the long speed to pull away from defenders in the open field as a ball carrier. Good enough to play running back at the college level. Finished his junior season with 1,459 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns and 113 tackles and 1 interception on defense. A standout wrestler in addition to his exploits on the football field and track. Won a heavyweight state title as a junior. Extremely strong in the weight room with lifts that have gone viral. Very developed physically and may be closer to his ceiling than some others who have considerable room for growth. Has not looked overly instinctive in coverage in camp settings. One of the more established prospects at the position in the 2024 cycle given his elite athletic and multi-sport profile.”

4. WR Mike Matthews – Tennessee

On3 Industry Ranking: No. 28
School: Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview
Scouting Summary: “Mike Matthews is a two-way playmaker with high-end athleticism, length and coordination who has blossomed into one of the better receiver prospects in the 2024 cycle. Measured at 6-foot-0.5, and close to 190 pounds prior to his senior season. Has a big frame and very good length for the position with a 32.75-inch arm and 9.75-inch hand. Lines up at both receiver and safety for Parkview High. Pairs that length with advanced coordination to result in a considerable catch radius. Has shown the ability to win in contested situations on Friday nights and in 7-on-7 settings. Makes difficult catches and adjusts to poorly thrown balls. Has the burst and speed to separate on vertical routes.

… A bouncy athlete who doubles as a standout basketball player in high school and on the AAU circuit. Had a number of big games against top competition as a junior. Caught 48 passes for 1,030 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2022. Throws down impressive dunks on the hardwood. Still developing as a route-runner, given he was more of an athlete and safety prospect early on in his high school career. Had some concentration drops as a junior. Upside for the position is high given his overall skill package and room for continued development.”

5. EDGE Eddrick Houston – Ohio State

On3 Industry Ranking: No. 33
School: Buford (Ga.)
Scouting Summary: “Eddrick Houston is a powerful, versatile defensive lineman who imposes his will on opposing offensive linemen. Measured in at a shade under 6-foot-4, 275 pounds prior to his senior season. Added significant mass during his junior season. Has a naturally large frame with plus length for the position with arms that measure 34 inches. Primarily lines up as a defensive end in a 3-man front for Georgia power Buford High, where he faces strong competition.. A physical, high effort player who is active as a run defender. Capable of setting the edge. Shows the motor and athleticism to make high level plays in pursuit.

… Primarily a straight line pass rusher at this point. Looks to overpower offensive linemen with his bull rush. Has the length and speed to power to walk offensive linemen back to the quarterback. More of a linear athlete at this time. Will need to improve his bend flexibility if he’s to stick on the edge long-term. Could grow into a defensive tackle or play as a 4i in a 3-man front. Also has a wrestling background and runs track. Has a wrestling background and also runs track.”

6. QB Luke Kromenhoek – Florida State

On3 Industry Ranking: No. 45
School: Savannah (Ga.) Benedictine Military School
Scouting Summary: “Luke Kromenhoek is a toolsy, strong-armed passer with some of the best physical attributes among quarterbacks in the 2024 cycle. One of the taller quarterbacks in the group with a prototypical build at 6-foot-3.5, 190 pounds with a 9.5-inch hand. Shows a very live arm on Friday nights and in the camp setting. Backed that up in the camp setting, where he showed one of the strongest arms at the Elite 11 Finals. Flashes a quick, natural release, generating considerable velocity with ease. Rips throws down the middle of the field on a line. Had several passes travel over 50 yards in the air as a junior. Can stretch secondaries with his arm strength. Delivers some nice passes on the on rollouts to his right and left.

… A good athlete at the position. Shows very encouraging reactive quickness and burst as a mover in evading the pass rush. Has upside as a runner with his quickness and speed and can pick up chunks of yards once at the second level. Unlike most other top 2024 quarterbacks, was a first-year starter as a junior, leading his team to a state title. Completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,576 yards and 24 touchdowns against 3 interceptions, while rushing for 453 yards and 7 scores. Played wide receiver and safety while backing up Auburn signee Holden Geriner as a sophomore. Can stand to improve his overall consistency and will likely see the game continue to slow down for him with more in-game reps. Older for the class, turning 19 years-old in January of his senior year. Has one of the higher upsides in the murky 2024 quarterback class.”

7. CB Demello Jones – Georgia

On3 Industry Ranking: No. 46
School: Swainsboro (Ga.)
Scouting Summary: “Demello Jones is a do-it-all athlete who projects as one of the top defensive back prospects in the 2024 cycle. Measured in at around 6-foot-0.5, 175 pounds with a 31-inch arm. A strong athlete in track and field, improving his sprint times, posting a 10.97 second 100 meter dash as a junior along with an impressive 6-4 foot high jump. Sees snaps all over the field on Friday nights, lining up at quarterback, running back,wide receiver and corner. Helped his team to a state title as a junior. Rushed for 1,279 yards and 20 touchdowns while averaging over 10 yards per carry. Also had 7 receiving touchdowns on just 14 catches.

… A smooth, natural athlete. An easy mover who is capable of pulling away once in the open field. Shows encouraging cover skills and functional athleticism when projecting as a defensive back. Plays with good instincts and toughness. Closes quickly and drives through ball carriers as a tackler. Ball skills developed from his time on offense aid as a defensive back. Could feasibly line up at any spot in the secondary. Also a good high school basketball player, averaging 11.8 points per game as a junior. Breadth of skills points to a strong foundation as a prospect and developmental upside.”

8. TE Caleb Odom – Alabama

On3 Industry Ranking: No. 54
School: Carrollton (Ga.)
Scouting Summary: “Caleb Odom is a highly athletic, jumbo receiver with the upside to grow into a dangerous mismatch at tight end. Arguably the most skilled big pass-catcher in the 2024 cycle heading into the senior season. Checked in at listed at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds with good length for the position prior to his senior year. Starred as a receiver for one of the top high school programs in Georgia as a junior, helping Carrollton to a state title game. A long-striding, bouncy athlete with explosive movements. Has the burst to run past defensive backs as an outside receiver.

… Shows the ability to high-point passes and make acrobatic grabs in jump ball situations. Has good pacing within his routes. Very productive, finishing his junior season with 64 catches for 1,121 yards and 13 touchdowns. Doubles as a big-time above-the-rim athlete in basketball. Has the best dunk reel we’ve seen from a 2024 prospect. Plays high level AAU basketball and is talented enough to play the sport at a high level in college. Has some ambiguity around his long-term position. Could end up as a top player as a receiver or tight end, but may be more unique as a mismatch at tight end at this stage.”

9. QB Air Noland – Ohio State

On3 Industry Ranking: No. 59
School: Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes
Scouting Summary: “Air Noland is an instinctual, accurate southpaw passer who shredded opposing defenses through the air as a junior. Was the most productive passer among top 2024 quarterbacks. Measured in at around 6-foot-2, 185 pounds with a 9-inch hand in the spring prior to his senior season. Has a streamlined frame with thinner shoulders. Had a monster junior season, completing 73.1% of his passes for 4,095 yards (12.7 yards per attempt) for 55 touchdowns against four interceptions. Led Langston Hughes to a state title in a high classification and helmed an offense that set the state record for most points scored.

… Shows high end field vision with the ability to go through his reads and find open receivers. At his best as a reliable distributor to talented skill players. Throws with timing and touch. Accurate to all levels and shows the ability to layer the football and locate throws into small windows. Arm strength is solid, but may not be on the level of some of his highly-ranked peers. Plays with an advanced feel and shows a nice internal clock against the pass rush. A pass-first quarterback but has some creativity and mobility when needed. One of the safest bets among quarterbacks in the 2024 cycle given his on-field success and production relative to his peers.”

10. EDGE Kameryn Fountain – USC

On3 Industry Ranking: No. 63
School: Atlanta (Ga.) Washington
Scouting Summary: “Kameryn Fountain is an athletic EDGE defender with a tremendous frame and build that should sit at 250-265 pounds with ease at the college level. Has plenty of room to add substantial mass throughout his frame and love his length. Jumped a 32-inch vertical and ran a 4.59 shuttle during the spring camp circuit prior to his senior season. Excellent footwork, balance and ability to play under control. Rarely caught off-guard or put in disadvantageous positions. Always around the football, plays with a high motor and constantly chases the football from the backside.”

… Solid hand usage, very comfortable with the arm over and chops. Needs to develop a counter move but will come with collegiate coaching. Has some slight hip stiffness but makes up for it with his foot speed. Need to see more physicality at the point of attack but has the size and traits to develop it. High upside prospect who has all the physical and athletic ability to develop into an impressive EDGE player at the collegiate level and beyond. Quality hooper on the hardwood as well. Nearly averaged a double double in points and rebounds as a junior.”