UGA Recruiting Buzz: Nation's Top Defenders Invade Athens This Weekend
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ATHENS - Recruiting season is in full swing for Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs.
The 2021 and 2022 national champions hosted a giant list of official visitors to kick off the month of June and this upcoming weekend will be no different.
Several major targets on offense will be in town, but this upcoming weekend will be loaded with some of the nation’s top defenders as well.
Here’s a quick list of official visitors on defense who will be in town this weekend for an official visit.
5-star CB DJ Pickett
An elite defensive back with outstanding length and natural ball skills out of Zephyrhills (FL), this 6-foot-4 180-pound cornerback is one of the nation’s top prospects, ranked as the No. 2 CB and the No. 6 overall prospect in the country. Sources say Georgia has plenty of ground to make up as LSU, Miami, and others may be ahead of Georgia this second. This is a massive visit and one that needs to go well if Georgia plans on gaining some momentum in his recruitment. As a junior last season, Pickett caught 52 passes on offense for 1,033 yards and 15 touchdowns. Defensively, the playmaking defender made 31 tackles with one INT and one forced fumble.
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4-star EDGE Mariyon Dye
An elite EDGE defender that the Georgia staff would love to bring on board, Dye is a defender who could end up a 5-star when the final 2025 rankings come out. The big 6-foot-5 260-pounder brings an excellent combination of size, strength, instincts, and big play ability. Right now, sources say Georgia has some catching up to do with schools like Ohio State and Tennessee currently towards the top of his list. Look for the Georgia staff to roll out the red carpet for this playmaking Elkhart Central (IN) defender. He’s currently ranked as the No. 22 EDGE defender and the No. 164 overall prospect in the 2025 class.
4-star LB Ty Jackson
One of the top defenders not only in Florida but across the country for the 2025 class, Jackson is a 6-foot-2 200-pound linebacker out of Seminole Ridge (FL) who has plenty of interest in Georgia. He’s ranked as the No. 6 LB prospect and the No. 76 overall prospect in the country. The Dawgs have two linebackers on board already, but Jackson doesn’t appear to be a player they would turn down if he wants to jump on board. As a junior last year, Jackson made 135 tackles, two INTs, and forced four fumbles.
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4-star EDGE Jared Smith
A long-time Georgia target from Alabama, sources say Smith has fallen down Georgia’s board over the last several months. Is he a take in this class? We’ll get a better understanding of that after this official visit. This second, sources say South Carolina and others have made Smith more of a priority than Georgia has. The 6-foot-6 235-pounder is ranked as the No. 5 EDGE defender and the No. 41 overall prospect in the 2025 class.
4-star LB Tavion Wallace
Glenn Schumann and the Dawgs have two linebackers on the commit list already, but this Wayne County (GA) defender is still a name to know. The 6-foot-2 220-pounder is ranked as the No.3 middle linebacker prospect and the No. 58 overall prospect in the country. As a junior last fall, Wallace made 58 tackles, four TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 10 QB hurries, and one forced fumble. Sources say Florida State is the team in front behind the scenes, but he’s also a giant target for the Florida Gators.
4-star safety Eric Winters
A tough, instinctive safety from South Alabama, Winters saw his recruitment take off this spring and will be in town for a big official visit this weekend. His stock is on the rise, and he’s now ranked as the No. 8 safety prospect and the No. 65 overall prospect in the country. Sources say the 6-foot-2 195-pounder might be leaning towards the in-state Auburn Tigers this second, but that could obviously change with a successful visit this weekend.
4-star DL Christian Garrett
A nearby defensive tackle out of Prince Avenue Christian, Garrett is a powerful 6-foot-4 285-pound interior lineman ranked as the No. 10 DL prospect and the No. 128 overall prospect in the 2025 class. He’s coming off a strong junior season making 86 tackles, nine TFLs and five sacks while leading the Wolverines to a second-consecutive Single-A title. This is shaping up to be a Georgia/Clemson battle, and this second, we feel Georgia is the team to beat.
3-star DL Charles House
Don’t let the 3-star ranking fool you here. Sources say House is higher on Georgia’s board than most realize, and he’ll be in Athens this weekend for an official visit. The Tennessee Vols have been trying hard to get him on the commit list, but have been unsuccessful so far. He’s an active, dominant defensive tackle at 6-foot-3 300-pounds who is down to Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama with a commitment coming on June 22nd.