Recruiting at the University of Georgia isn't just about collecting five-star athletes anymore. It’s about building a roster that won't fall apart when the transfer portal opens its jaws every December. Honestly, if you’re just looking at the star rankings on a 247Sports spreadsheet, you’re missing the actual story of what Kirby Smart is doing in Athens right now.
The 2026 cycle has been a wild ride. We’ve seen the highest of highs and some genuinely confusing departures.
Most fans are still reeling from the Jared Curtis flip to Vanderbilt. Losing the nation’s top quarterback recruit to a divisional rival—even one that's historically struggled—is a tough pill to swallow. But the real UGA football recruiting news isn't just about who left; it’s about the "pre-wiring" Smart is doing to make sure the guys who stay actually want to be there.
The Brotherhood Blueprint: More Than Just a Catchphrase
You’ve heard the word "connection" thrown around in press conferences. It usually sounds like coach-speak. However, look at the numbers for the 2026 class and the current roster. As of mid-January 2026, nearly 30 percent of the Georgia roster consists of players who were high school teammates.
That’s not an accident.
Smart is leaning into "teammate clusters." The logic is simple: if you’re 500 miles from home but your best friend from high school is in the next locker, you’re less likely to hop in the portal the moment you’re second on the depth chart.
Take the recent commitment of Dallas Dickerson. He’s a three-star wide receiver from North Oconee High who can absolutely fly—clocking a 10.36 in the 100 meters. On paper, he’s a "late addition" who filled the spot left by Brady Marchese (who ended up at Auburn after a chaotic Michigan-to-Auburn saga). But Dickerson is the fourth North Oconee Titan on the roster. He joins freshman EDGE Khamari Brooks and rising sophomore Landon Roldan.
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These kids aren't just names on a scout’s list. They are a support system.
Breaking Down the 2026 Signees
While the "star" count might look slightly lower than the historic 2024 class, the talent floor is remarkably high. Georgia currently sits at No. 3 in the On3 Industry Team Rankings, trailing only USC and Notre Dame.
Here is what the core of this class looks like:
- Ekene Ogboko (OT): A consensus five-star tackle from North Carolina. He’s the first five-star offensive tackle the Dawgs have landed since Amarius Mims in 2021. He also happens to be the younger brother of current Dawg DL Nnamdi Ogboko.
- Kaiden Prothro (TE): A freakish athlete from Bowdon High. At 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds, he’s the next evolution in the Todd Hartley tight end factory.
- The DB Haul: This is where the class shines. Justice Fitzpatrick and Caden Harris are both top-100 national recruits at cornerback. Add in Jordan Smith from Houston County and Zech Fort from IMG Academy, and you have a secondary that looks like an NFL practice squad.
What Happened With the Jared Curtis Flip?
Let's address the elephant in the room. Jared Curtis was the crown jewel. He was the guy who was supposed to lead the offense in the post-Gunner Stockton era.
He flipped to Vanderbilt in December.
Why? It basically came down to playing time and "guarantees." Reports suggest Curtis wanted a clear path to the starting job by 2027. Kirby Smart, true to form, refused to promise anything other than a chance to compete. In the modern NIL era, a lot of top-tier QBs aren't interested in a "wait and see" approach.
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The fallout was immediate. Georgia lost its five-star signal caller and a few other pieces like Kealan Jones and Jarmaine Mitchell.
But Smart didn't panic. He shifted to the portal.
The January Portal Surge
While the high school recruiting gets the headlines, the transfer portal is where Georgia has been doing surgery over the last two weeks. The "UGA football recruiting news" cycle in January 2026 has been dominated by veteran additions.
Khalil Barnes, the former Clemson safety, is perhaps the biggest "get." He’s an Athens-area native who should have been a Dawg from day one. Bringing him home provides an immediate veteran presence in a room that lost Joenel Aguero to Ole Miss.
Then there’s the wide receiver room. With Colbie Young heading to the NFL, Georgia needed size. They found it in Isiah Canion from Georgia Tech. He’s 6-foot-4 and has two years of SEC-level production under his belt. Pair him with Dante Dowdell, the 227-pound hammer of a running back transferring from Kentucky, and the offense suddenly looks much more physical.
Common Misconceptions About the 2026 Class
People see the No. 3 or No. 4 ranking and think the "standard" has dropped. That’s a mistake.
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First, the average player rating for this class is still over 92.00. That is elite. Second, the roster size has shifted to 105 players. Smart is prioritizing depth and "cultural fit" over raw star power for the back half of the class.
You’re seeing fewer "national" battles for three-star players and more "local" battles for guys like Anthony "AJ" Lonon or Tyriq Green. If a kid grew up in the shadow of Sanford Stadium, they are less likely to leave when things get tough in August camp.
Key Dates to Watch
The recruitment cycle never actually stops. Even though the Early Signing Period is over, the traditional National Signing Day on February 4, 2026, still holds some intrigue.
- Chace Calicut: The four-star cornerback from Texas is still technically "unsigned." Keeping him in the fold is a priority for Donte Williams.
- The Quarterback Search: Mike Bobo is already deep into the 2027 class, but don't be surprised if Georgia takes a look at a late-blooming 2026 QB or another portal option to bridge the gap.
- The "Big Fish" Portal Targets: Keep an eye on Jordan Seaton, the Colorado tackle. He’s the white whale of the portal right now. If Georgia can swing the NIL numbers—rumored to be around $2.5 million—he’d be the perfect replacement for Monroe Freeling.
Moving Forward: Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following Georgia's recruiting, stop looking at the "Commitments" tab and start looking at the "Connections" tab.
Success in 2026 won't be defined by who signed on the first Wednesday of December. It will be defined by how many of those 31 "teammate" players are still on the roster in 2028.
Watch the development of the mid-year enrollees. Guys like Ekene Ogboko and Justice Fitzpatrick are already on campus, getting through winter workouts and learning the playbook. Their ability to contribute as true freshmen will dictate whether Georgia can reclaim the SEC throne after a bittersweet 2025 season.
The strategy has shifted from "Best Players Available" to "Best Players Who Fit." It’s a subtle change, but in a world where rosters turn over 30% every year, it’s the only way to maintain a dynasty.
To stay ahead of the curve, focus on the following:
- Monitor the remaining unsigned commits, specifically Chace Calicut, heading into February.
- Watch the defensive back rotation in spring practice; with the influx of 2026 talent, the competition will be fierce.
- Follow the recruitment of 2027 prospects like Aden Starling, as Georgia is already using the "brotherhood" pitch to lock down the next wave of talent early.