Georgia
SEC Team Recruiting Rankings: Georgia’s Big Commit, Zech Ford, Moves the Needle
College football season ended a week-and-a-half ago when Ohio State beat Notre Dame in the National Championship game, but the recruiting stove is red hot across the sport.
In the SEC, Georgia landed a commitment from big-time safety Zech Fort of IMG Academy in Florida on Thursday. How did it impact the recruiting rankings across the SEC?
247Sports updated its composite team rankings following the commitment and five SEC programs checked in the top 10 nationally while three more ranked within the top 20.
Despite a woeful 2024 season that saw just a 2-10 overall record and winless SEC campaign, Mississippi State still ranks ahead of four other SEC teams.
Here is what the SEC team recruiting rankings look like as of January 30, 2025. Clearly there is a lot of time for movement to be made as we’re 11 months from the early signing period, but the foundation for recruiting classes is clearly being built.
No. 16: Kentucky (0 nationally)
Kentucky is the only team in the SEC that is yet to receive a public verbal commitment in the 2026 recruiting cycle.
15. Vanderbilt (54th nationally)
Vanderbilt Football:
1 commitment
87.26 average player rating
17.26 team points
14. Missouri (51st nationally)
Missouri Football:
1 commitment
89.58 average player rating
19.58 team points
13. Alabama (49th nationally)
Alabama Football:
1 commitment
95.05 average player rating
25.05 team points
12. Mississippi State (42 nationally)
Mississippi State Football:
4 commitments
87.07 average player rating
34.05 team points
11. Ole Miss (38th nationally)
Ole Miss Football:
2 commitments
86.66 average player rating
37.21 team points
10. Texas (33rd nationally)
Texas Football:
2 commitments
95.35 average player rating
50.55 team points
9. Florida (28th nationally)
Florida Football:
3 commitments
90.63 average player rating
61.32 team points
8. Oklahoma (19th nationally)
Oklahoma Football:
4 commitments
91.32 average player rating
83.65 team points
7. South Carolina (14th nationally)
South Carolina Football:
5 commitments
89.93 average player rating
96.70 team points
6. Georgia (12th nationally)
Georgia Football:
5 commitments
92.03 average player rating
106.71 team points
5. Arkansas (9th nationally)
Arkansas Football:
9 commitments
87.96 average player rating
117.09 team points
4. LSU (8th nationally)
LSU Football:
6 commitments
91.63 average player rating
123.91 team points
3. Auburn (7th nationally)
Auburn Football:
6 commitments
93.11 average player rating
132.21 team points
2. Tennessee (6th nationally)
Tennessee Football:
7 commitments
90.7 average player rating
135.95 team points
1. Texas A&M (2nd nationally)
Texas A&M Football:
10 commitments
92.2 average player rating
192 team points
Athlon Sports projected the best SEC games for each week of the 2026 regular season.
The conference features some of the most compelling matchups in all of college football, from opening weekend through rivalry week. The selections emphasize games anticipated to have the biggest impact on the SEC championship race and College Football Playoff picture.
Florida’s annual clash with Georgia was tabbed as one of the SEC’s premier fixtures. The game has grown in national significance since it began in 1904, continuing as a battle of blue-blood programs that routinely produces iconic results. The game temporarily moves to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta during the Jacksonville stadium renovations.
The Jon Sumrall era carries with it an increasing sense of belief — many experts see the Gators as a dark-horse CFB playoff contender. Regardless of its final win-loss record, UF will play a part in shaping the season’s narrative as they face several post-season favorites in Texas, Georgia and Oklahoma.
Noted in the article is the SEC’s depth and newly implemented nine-game conference schedule. Georgia, Texas, Alabama and LSU appear multiple times on this list, with Georgia facing Alabama in Week 6 and Ole Miss in Week 10 while LSU hosts Clemson in Week 1 and will see Texas in Week 11 take on Alabama.
Many contenders from the SEC face multiple nationally relevant foes over the course of the season.
Athlon Sports’ Best game for every week of the 2026 season
- Week 1: Clemson at LSU (Sept. 5)
- Week 2: Ohio State at Texas (Sept. 12)
- Week 3: LSU at Ole Miss (Sept. 19)
- Week 4: Oklahoma at Georgia (Sept. 26)
- Week 5: Auburn at Tennessee (Oct. 3)
- Week 6: Georgia at Alabama (Oct. 10)
- Week 7: Alabama at Tennessee (Oct. 17)
- Week 8: Ole Miss at Texas (Oct. 24)
- Week 9: Florida vs. Georgia (Atlanta) (Oct. 31)
- Week 10: Georgia at Ole Miss (Nov. 7)
- Week 11: Texas at LSU (Nov. 14)
- Week 12: Texas A&M at Oklahoma (Nov. 21)
- Week 13: Texas at Texas A&M (Friday) (Nov. 27)
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The Georgia Bulldogs are expected to have one of the country’s best defenses again in 2026. Georgia has a lot of continuity from the 2025 defense and should be able to dominate many of their opponents this fall.
The Bulldogs defense will be led by potential All-American defensive backs KJ Bolden and Ellis Robinson. Georgia appears to be set at inside linebacker with the likes of Raylen Wilson, Chris Cole, Justin Williams and Zayden Walker forming a formidable group.
Georgia’s defense is not without questions. The Bulldogs need defensive tackle Elijah Griffin to play like a star as a sophomore. Georgia has to get more pass rush production. UGA managed only 20 sacks a year ago and their top defensive transfer addition, Amaris Williams of Auburn, is expected to be out for the season. Georgia fans can all remember Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss running circles around the Georgia defense in crucial moments of the Sugar Bowl.
Outside of the pass rush, Georgia’s depth at outside cornerback is probably the Bulldogs’ second-biggest weakness. If Ellis Robinson gets hurt, then Georgia could be in trouble. Despite these concerns, Georgia’s defense should overwhelm weaker SEC opponents this fall.
Nose tackle
- Jordan Hall
- Xzavier McLeod
- Nnamdi Ogboko
Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Hall is a former five-star recruit with a significant injury history. His snaps will probably be limited at times this fall. Xzavier McLeod has improved in each of his two seasons at Georgia and should be one of Georgia’s top depth options in the defensive line rotation. Nasir Johnson is another big body to know up front at nose tackle.
Defensive tackle
- Elijah Griffin
- Josh Horton
- Nasir Johnson/London Seymour/Valdin Sone
Five-star defensive lineman Elijah Griffin is entering his second season and is looking to have a big year after making an impact as a true freshman. Josh Horton has plenty of experience, but Bulldog fans would like to see a bit more production. Another defensive lineman to know is freshman Valdin Sone, who is a five-star recruit.
Defensive end
- Gabe Harris
- Joseph Jonah-Ajonye
- Justin Greene/JJ Hanne
Gabe Harris has the size to play both defensive end and outside linebacker. Georgia needs him as a pass rusher. He missed the Bulldogs’ Sugar Bowl loss and spring practice due to a turf toe injury. Joseph Jonah-Ajonye is a former elite recruit.
Outside linebacker
- Quintavius Johnson
- Chase Linton/Isaiah Gibson
- Darren Ikinnagbon/Khamari Brooks/PJ Dean
Quintavius Johnson is expected to start after a promising 2025 season. Gabe Harris and Chris Cole will also see action at outside linebacker. One of these second-year players needs to step up: Isaiah Gibson, Chase Linton and/or Darren Ikinnagbon. All have a lot of talent and are in for bigger roles after Auburn transfer Amaris Williams suffered an ACL injury in the spring. Freshmen Khamari Brooks and PJ Dean were both four-star signees.
Inside linebacker
- Raylen Wilson
- Chris Cole
- Justin Williams
- Zayden Walker
Once again, Georgia and coach Glenn Schumann have a stacked inside linebackers room. The Bulldogs will start two inside linebackers, but their backups will all play key roles. Chris Cole led UGA in sacks during the 2025 season. Cole and Zayden Walker are important pieces in Georgia’s pass rush. Raylen Wilson (knee) and Walker (shoulder) both missed the spring.
Georgia freshmen Nick Abrams has a lot of talent and veteran Terrell Foster is reliable, but they’re expected to be buried on Georgia’s depth chart along with redshirt freshman AJ Kruah.
Outside cornerback
- Ellis Robinson IV
- Demello Jones
- Braylon Conley/Gentry Williams
- Jontae Gilbert/Caden Harris/Justice Fitzpatrick
Georgia’s outside cornerback room is led by Ellis Robinson, who should be an All-SEC pick. The spot opposite Robinson should go to Demello Jones, but don’t rule out experience transfers Braylon Conley (USC) and Gentry Williams (Oklahoma). There is some concern about Georgia’s outside cornerback depth this season. Jontae Gilbert, Caden Harris and Justice Fitzpatrick all have talent, but Fitzpatrick did suffer a torn ACL in December.
Slot cornerback
- Khalil Barnes
- Rasean Dinkins
- Zech Fort
Rasean Dinkins did well in the SEC championship against Alabama, but not as strong in the Sugar Bowl. Clemson transfer Khalil Barnes is projected to start over him with Tyrique Green being another name to watch at star.
Free safety
- KJ Bolden
- Tyrique Green
- Jaylan Morgan/Jordan Smith
Georgia junior KJ Bolden should be an All-SEC pick. Four-star signee Tyrique Green is going to find a way on to the field this season.
Strong safety
- Rasean Dinkins
- Zion Branch/Ja’Marley Riddle/Kyron Jones
- Todd Robinson/Blake Stewart
Dinkins and Barnes will both likely start for UGA. Zion Branch, Ja’Marley Riddle and Kyron Jones should all see snaps with Jones’ health being a question.
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