Kirby Smart and company once again landed Georgia the No. 1 overall recruiting class. Most of these recruits have already enrolled and are on campus. Some even had the opportunity to practice leading up to the Orange Bowl, helping the team prepare for FSU. 

Listing the 2024 Class

Ellis Robinson IV (CB/Bradenton, FL)

Justin Williams (LB/Conroe, TX)

KJ Bolden (S/Buford, GA)

Chris Cole (LB/Salem, GA)

Joseph Jonah-Ajonye (DL/Conroe, TX)

Daniel Calhoun (OT/Marietta, GA)

Demello Jones (CB/Swainsboro, GA)

Jordan Thomas (DL/Ramsey, NJ)

Jaden Reddell (TE/Peculiar, MO)

Ondre Evans (CB/Nashville, TN)

Michael Uini (OT/Copperas Grove, TX)

NiTareon Tuggle (WR/Nappanee, IN)

Kristopher Jones (LB/Fairfax, VA)

Ryan Puglisi (QB/Avon, CT)

Marques Easley (OT/Kankakee, IL)

Nyier Daniels (OT/Oradell, NJ)

Sacovie White (WR/Cartersville, GA)

Quintavius Johnson (EDGE/Atlanta, GA)

Chauncey Bowens (RB/North Palm Beach, FL)

Nnamdi Ogboko (DL/Garner, SC)

Malachi Toliver (IOL/Cartersville, GA)

Colton Heinrich (TE/Fort Lauderdale, FL)

Nasir Johnson (DL/Dublin, GA)

Nate Frazier (RB/Santa Ana, CA)

Justin Greene (DL/Lawrenceville, GA)

Dwight Phillips Jr. (RB/Mableton, GA)

Marcus Harrison (OT/Hamburg, NY)

Colter Ginn (QB/Perry, GA)

Drew Miller (P/Mediapolis, IA)

Transfer Portal Additions

Jake Pope (S/University of Alabama)

Michael Jackson III (WR/University of Southern California)

Trevor Etienne (RB/University of Florida)

Colbie Young (WR/University of Miami)

Xzavier McLeod (DL/University of South Carolina)

London Humphreys (WR/Vanderbilt University)

Benjamin Yurosek (TE/Stanford)

Breaking it down by position

Quarterback

After not signing a quarterback out of high school in the 2023 class, Georgia made a strong effort to recruit the position in the 2024 class. At one point, the Dawgs had two of the top10-ranked quarterbacks committed. Yet, in this era of College Football, nothing is ever set in stone until the letter of intent has been signed. Dylan Raiola, ranked the No. 1 quarterback by some recruiting services, flipped his commitment from Georgia to Nebraska just a few days before Early Signing Day. There was one player who stayed firm in his recruitment throughout it all, Ryan Puglisi. Puglisi initially announced his commitment to Georgia in October of 2022. Puglisi was able to enroll early and compete in Orange Bowl practices, and one thing that always seems to stand out is his mentality. 

“He was making those throws against the starters at both practices… Yea, he’s nice… I was in his face talking s*** to him like before the play. Doesn’t even phase him,” said Georgia Veteran DL Warren Brinson.

Via The Players’ Lounge Podcast

Puglisi seemed to turn heads immediately. 

Late into the recruiting season, another quarterback committed to Georgia. This time, accepting a preferred walk-on offer. Colter Ginn, out of Perry High School, led his team to a state championship this past season. Ginn threw for 261 yards and a touchdown in the championship.

Tight Ends

Tight End coach Todd Hartley once again did his thing on the recruiting trail for the 2024 Class. Starting off, Hartley landed Jaden Redell. Redell is currently listed at 6-4, 233-pound. Redell was a participant in bowl practices, and in one image showing a group of new Dawgs, he towers, looking every bit his listed size.

Georgia also landed Colton Heinrich out of Cardinal Gibbons HS in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In three years, Heinrich recorded 74 receptions for 947 YDs (12.8 per reception) and six touchdowns. 

In addition, Hartley landed a veteran TE from the transfer portal. Benjamin Yurosek is a 6-4, 242-pound senior. Yurosek, in his time at Stanford, amassed 107 receptions for 1,337 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He also ran the ball 14 times for 119 yards. A great addition to look forward to in the Georgia offense with plenty of experience. 

Wide Receivers

The high school recruiting for the 2024 class only resulted in one commitment. NiTareon Tuggle committed to the Dawgs as a three-star but worked his way up the ranks during his final season. Tuggle was named the WR MVP of May 7th, 2023’s Under Armor Camp. Tuggle continues to show off incredible ball tracking and body control in all of his highlights. Standing at 6’1, nearly 200 pounds, the Dawgs got themselves another wide receiver with great potential. 

With a lot of talent at the position heading to the NFL, Georgia hit the portal hard this offseason. Miami graduate transfer Colbie Young, being just one of the names, will make an immediate impact. Drawing comparisons to former UGA and Miami WR Lawrence Cager, Young shares the size of a tight end, with the skills of a wideout. Young is 6-5, 215-pound, and will fit perfectly in the Mike Bobo offense. In his time at Miami, Young was seen countless times turning short screen plays into huge gains. In the past two seasons, Young had 77 receptions for 939 yards and 10 total touchdowns.

Georgia landed two more wideouts this offseason. Michael Jackson III, out of USC, was hurt by the depth at WR at USC and decided to look for a new home. While on the field, Jackson III displayed his estimated 4.45 40 speed at both punter-returner and receiver. Jackson III played three seasons at USC and racked up 46 receptions for 498 yards and five TDs as well as two carries for 72 yards. Next is true freshman London Humphreys out of Vanderbilt. Dawg fans may remember Humphreys scoring a 49-yard touchdown early into the matchup against the Commodores, blazing past the Georgia secondary. Combining his height at 6’3, with his speed, Humphreys could be a key piece in the future.

Running Backs

Dell McGee landed one of the most stacked running back classes in some time. On some sites, the three running backs signed in the 2024 class are all listed in the top 10 at their position. McGee just took the head coaching job at Georgia State, leaving a highly sought after vacant position on the Georgia staff. 

Dwight Phillips Jr. is one of the fastest prospects in the class. He plays both running back and runs track for his high school, where he continues to show off impressive times. A year ago, Phillips Jr. clocked a 10.29 second 100M dash. This speed has been trained by his dad, who is a 5x World Champion and 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist in the long jump. Phillips Jr. carried the ball 62 times for 774 yards and seven TDs as well as received the ball nine times for 245 yards and two touchdowns during his senior season. In addition, he returned one kick return 95 yards for a touchdown.

Chauncey Bowens, once committed to the Florida Gators, is another talented back committed to the Dawgs. A combination of both speed and power, Bowens is listed at 5-11, 209-pound and runs a verified 10.88 100-meter dash. Bowens played in 10 games during his senior season and ran 112 times for 811 yards and 10 TDs.

Nate Frazier, out of Mater Dei High School in California, was the last of the three to commit to Georgia. Frazier split time with Class of 2025 RB Jordan Davidson at Mater Dei but was still able to put up impressive stats. In 10 games played during his senior season, Frazier had 91 rushing attempts for 583 yards and five TDs.

Finally, Georgia also made a major addition in the transfer portal at the running back position. Trevor Etienne, former Florida running back and brother of Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr, committed to Georgia just a few weeks after the Dawgs lost their SEC Championship game. Etienne played for the Gators for two seasons and racked up 1,710 all-purpose yards. Look for Etienne to make an immediate impact on this upcoming season.

Offensive Line

Stacy Searels landed one of the biggest offensive line classes in Georgia history. Six offensive linemen signed with Georgia in the 2024 class, and they have an average size of 6-7, 325- pound. It is unknown which position on the offensive line these players will play at Georgia, but just know that there is some serious size in the class. The highest-rated prospect in the class is Daniel Calhoun, out of Walton High School in Marietta, GA. Calhoun is 6-6.5, 365 pound, and was ranked the 66th best player in the country and 5th best OT by 247Sports. 

Defensive Backs

Despite DB Coach Fran Brown’s departure (to take the HC job at Syracuse), Georgia still landed an elite defensive back class. The No. 1 corner in the 2024 class, Ellis Robinson IV, has been committed to the Dawgs since February 1st, 2023. Since then, his commitment stayed strong, and so has his ranking. Robinson IV is tied with Nolan Smith as the second-highest recruit in UGA history. Robinson IV showcased his talents at the Under Armor All-American game. Robinson IV was highlighted multiple times throughout practices for his lockdown coverage, most notably picking off one of the best quarterbacks in the class, DJ Lagway. KJ Bolden is a name I’m sure most Dawg fans heard multiple times throughout his recruiting process. The No. 1 safety in the country was initially committed to FSU and flipped to Georgia on signing day. Bolden knew Fran Brown was leaving the program, but Brown’s comments on the University and its success influenced Bolden to stay.

Bolden was quoted saying, “When Coach Fran went away and still talked good about the school… I knew it was the place to be.”

Two more DBs, Demello Jones and Ondre Evans, also signed with the Bulldogs this offseason. Demello Jones, the 7th-ranked safety in the country, played in Georgia’s high school state championship against Prince Avenue. Although the outcome of the game was not in Jones’ favor, he still was able to record himself a pick-six. Jones returned Georgia Tech commit Aaron Philo’s pass for 98 yards. Ondre Evans is the 8th-ranked corner in the country. Initially committed to LSU, he flipped to Georgia due to his and Coach Fran Brown’s relationship. Jones also says attending a Georgia practice took another step in influencing his decision to flip.

Georgia acquired one defensive back in the portal this offseason. Former Buford safety Jake Pope announced he’d be joining the Dawgs on January 12. Georgia now has two former Buford safeties in the backfield.

Linebackers

An ongoing theme you might be noticing in the 2024 class is landing the No. 1 ranked player at a certain position. This does not change with the linebacker group brought in by Glenn Schumann and company. Georgia landed Justin Williams, the No. 1 ranked LB in the 2024 class. Williams played High School ball at Oak Ridge in Conroe, Texas. The 6-2, 205-pound backer ran an 11.01 100-meter dash in his junior year of high school. He is listed as the 10th most talented recruit in UGA history. Fellow five-star Chris Cole out of Salem, Virginia committed to Georgia in September of this past year. Finally, Kristopher Jones, from Fairfax, Virginia, joins the group as the third linebacker in the class. All three of these players are listed in the top ten at their position. 

Defensive Linemen

Georgia landed five players on the defensive line out of high school in the 2024 class. Consisting of both true D-Linemen and edge rushers, the group has some serious talent. Joseph Jonah-Ajonye, high school teammate of linebacker Justin Williams, is the highest-rated defensive lineman in the class. After his initial commitment, Jonah-Ajonye said “To put it simply. Georgia is just different … I feel like I’m built for that defense. Jordan Thomas, Nnamdi Ogoboko, and Nasir Johnson are all also new members of the ‘trench mob.’ Each stands no smaller than 6-3,  300-pound, Tray Scott continues to bring in massive athletes to the defensive front. Quintavius Johnson, listed as an edge rusher, showed off his athleticism throughout High School. Johnson played some time at quarterback and scored himself a 70-yard rushing touchdown on the offensive side of the ball. 

Georgia landed one defensive lineman in the portal. South Carolina DL Xzavier McLeod announced he was transferring to Georgia on December 22nd, 2023. McLeod’s high school recruitment came down to South Carolina and Georgia, but he stuck with the Gamecocks. Things have now come full circle as the 6-5, 284-pound freshman will put on the ‘G’ this upcoming season.

Special Teams

Georgia managed to land the most talented punter in the country, Drew Miller. Miller averaged 49.5 yards per punt with 55% landing inside the 20-yard line during his senior season. Miller only allowed five return yards in all 11 games played.