Georgia jumps past two SEC rivals in latest On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings

As Georgia ramps up for arguably its most important game of the year on Saturday against Texas, Kirby Smart and Co. have gotten some massive news on the recruiting trail.

Five-Star Plus+ defensive lineman Elijah Griffin, the nation’s No. 5 overall prospect, committed to the Bulldogs publicly on Friday afternoon. He ultimately chose UGA over Miami and USC, but had offers from nearly every major program around the country.

He becomes the third five-star commitment of the cycle for Georgia, joining EDGE Isaiah Gibson and linebacker Zayden Walker — all three of whom hail from the Peach State.

“There is something very distinctive about Georgia and I could never let go,” he told On3’s Chad Simmons. “How they treat me. The way they showed love to my family. What they have done since offered me and staying with me. There is a different standard in that building, and that is what makes Georgia different. Georgia is a program like no other and I want to be a part of that.”

Bulldogs eyeing nation’s No. 1 class — again

The addition of Griffin also pushes Georgia up two spots in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings to No. 3 nationally, and they jump over SEC rivals Auburn and LSU in the process.

He’s their 23rd commitment in the cycle and 15th from the Peach State, with UGA commits hailing an average distance from Athens of just under 300 miles. Smart and Co. leaned heavily on out-of-state pledges last cycle, with only nine of their 29 signees in 2024 coming from inside the borders. That has changed significantly in this class.

Of Georgia’s 23 pledges, 13 project to the offensive side of the ball and 10 are expected to play defense at the next level.

Five-stars Zayden Walker and Isaiah Gibson, along with four-star tight end Elyiss Williams, four-star EDGE Darren Ikinnagbon, four-star cornerback Shamari Earls, four-star running back Ousmane Kromah and four-star wideout Talyn Taylor give UGA six commits who rank in the top-100 in the country.

And they still have their eyes on several more targets including a handful from the Peach State. On3’s Chad Simmons has the latest intel on those names here.

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