Insider Recruiting Notes: Where Does UGA Football Sit With 5-Star Targets?
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ATHENS - The summer is quickly approaching for Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs. That means it’s recruiting season. After signing another elite recruiting class this past winter, the Georgia staff will hope to put together another outstanding class in the current 2026 cycle.
Where do the Bulldogs sit with some of their biggest 5-star targets? Let’s take a look...
OT Jackson Cantwell (Nixa, MO) - No. 1 OT and No. 1 overall
A major target for Stacy Searels from the very beginning, Cantwell is an elite left tackle with an outstanding 6-foot-8 305-pound frame that has always been high on Georgia. After taking several trips to Athens, the Bulldogs were able to make Cantwell’s “Final 4” and will host him on an unofficial visit on May 10th with a commitment coming three days later on May 13th.
QB Jared Curtis (Nashville Christian, TN) - No. 1 QB and No. 6 overall
Everyone knows the deal here. Georgia had the elite gunslinger on the commit list early in his recruitment, but after opening things up earlier this year, this has become an Oregon/Georgia battle with a commitment coming on May 5th. Curtis and his family are very comfortable with the Georgia staff, they like the location, and they like the winning culture Kirby Smart has built. They love Georgia, but Oregon has a lot to offer as well. As expected, sources say NIL will play a major role and we’re told the Bulldogs are doing everything they can there. Sources say Oregon was the clear leader in early March, but a multi-day visit to Athens shortly after made things interesting again. This second we still like Oregon’s chances, but Curtis picking Georgia would not be shocking. This one is close, but we’re giving the Ducks the slight edge this second.
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LB Tyler Atkinson (Grayson, GA) - No. 1 LB and No. 8 overall
While many have already penciled in Atkinson to Georgia’s class, it’s clear the Bulldogs still have a fight on their hands. Atkinson has been a major Bulldog target since the 8th grade but he’s also seriously considering other programs like Ohio State, Clemson, Oregon and Texas. Yes, the Dawgs are still the team to beat here, but Atkinson is doing his due diligence and has taken several visits this spring to get close look at other programs. Dawg Post still feels Georgia will land him in the end, but this one is far from a slam dunk. He’s an elite prospect and someone Georgia really needs to land in this class. Atkinson made 166 tackles last season with 32 TFLs, 13 sacks, one INT, one forced fumble, and one blocked kick, leading the Grayson Rams to the 7A state championship.
RB Savion Hiter (Louisa County, VA) - No. 1 RB and No. 11 overall
The Bulldogs are looking to sign two elite backs in this current 2026 cycle and Hiter is the best of the best. Georgia’s been towards the top of Hiter’s recruitment from the very beginning and are in his “Final Four” along with Ohio State, Michigan, and Tennessee. In late March most insiders believed the Michigan Wolverines were in the best position to land the top-ranked back. Now, sources say Georgia’s biggest competition is Ohio State. The Wolverines are still a team to keep a close eye on, but most of the buzz this second is around Georgia and Ohio State. Hiter has official visits lined to to Ohio State (May 30th), Georgia (June 6th), Michigan (June 13th) and Tennessee (June 19th).
“UGA is called RBU for a reason”, Hiter told Georgia last fall. “I could definitely see myself in that offense and being developed for the next level.”
TE Mark Bowman (Mater Dei, CA) - No. 2 TE and No. 22 overall
The word “elite” is thrown around a little too often these days when evaluating prospects, but make no mistake, Bowman is elite. The California native is a promising pass-catcher with outstanding hands who is dangerous after the catch. He brings a promising 6-foot-4 230-pound frame and doesn’t show a clear weakness on the field. He does just about everything well and is a major target for Todd Hartley in this class. Bowman was back in Athens for G-Day but sources continue to tell Dawg Post that Texas and USC are likely ahead of Georgia right now. Still, he’s a five-star prospect to keep an eye on until he makes his decision.
TE Kaiden Prothro (Bowdon, GA) - No. 3 TE and No. 29 overall
One of the more productive tight ends across the country, Prothro plays the position like a wide receiver who uses his strong hands and outstanding 6-foot-6 215-pound frame to his advantage. Leading Bowdon to a third-consecutive state championship last fall, Prothro hauled in 56 passes for 1,203 yards and 22 touchdowns in 15 games. He’s a matchup nightmare and a major in-state target for the Bulldogs. Dawg Post feels Georgia is the team to beat here and he’s fresh off a G-Day visit earlier this month. Still, teams like Auburn, Florida, Alabama, among others continue to push hard for the playmaking tight end.
Prothro has official visits lined up to Georgia (May 30th), Alabama (June 6th), Auburn (June 10th), Florida (June 13th), and Texas (June 20th).