Georgia surging to flip Top-100 CB committed elsewhere in SEC

Georgia has beefed up its 2025 recruiting class this month via seven commitments — six of whom are blue-chippers. The Bulldogs’ pledge list is still without a listed defensive back, however.

That could soon change, as Kirby Smart’s program is eyeing one of the top cornerbacks in the nation already committed elsewhere. Chester (Va.) Thomas Dale four-star CB Shamari Earls has been in South Carolina’s class since April 20, but he took an official visit to Athens on June 21.

That trip made a significant impact on the 6-foot-2, 205-pounder. On Sunday, On3 VP of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong logged a pick in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine in favor of UGA flipping Earls from the Gamecocks.

“Shamari gave South Carolina a verbal when visiting for the spring game, but opened the door in the summer for schools like Michigan and Georgia to make a move. Talking to a couple sources with knowledge of the recruitment, they say it was the Bulldogs that made the big move following his official the weekend of June 21,” Wiltfong said.

“He loves the scheme and the emphasis UGA has regarding the secondary and the amount of coaches on staff that have DB backgrounds including Coach Smart.”

Earls is the No. 105 overall prospect and No. 12 corner in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. On3 ranks him higher, as he checks in at No. 69 overall and No. 8 at CB in the 2025 On300.

“It was hands down the best visit I’ve taken,” Earls told On3’s Chad Simmons of his OV to Athens. “I related to all the coaches. I got together with them and had a conversation with Kirby Smart about how I would fit in the scheme. On the visit, I was talking to the players and they were telling me how bad coach Donte Williams wants me and how I can fit in there.”

Earls is currently the top-ranked commit in South Carolina’s 2025 class. The Bulldogs are looking to make him the eighth commitment ranked inside the top 150 in their class, which ranks No. 4 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

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