By: Michael Spiers

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs are absolutely rolling right now when it comes to recruiting.

June was a huge month, packed with big commitments, and Georgia now sits with the number two ranked 2026 class in the country. And they are not done yet.

In just the last month, Georgia landed 16 new commitments for the 2026 cycle, pushing their total to 26. They also picked up a couple of early pledges for the 2027 class. Out of those 26 players, seven are ranked in the top 100 nationally, and a few others are knocking on the door.

Leading the way is five-star quarterback Jared Curtis, who gives Georgia a strong foundation. But more help could be on the way very soon.

Tight end Kaiden Prothro and running back Derrek Cooper are both top tier prospects who will announce their college decisions on July twelfth. Georgia is right in the mix for both.

Prothro is especially important after the Bulldogs missed out on another top tight end, Mark Bowman. Cooper, meanwhile, has Georgia going head-to-head with Miami, Ohio State, and Texas.

The biggest name still out there for Georgia might be linebacker Tyler Atkinson. He is the top player in the state and the number one linebacker in the country. He has visited Georgia more than any other school and has been a major target for years. Oregon, Clemson, and Texas are still pushing hard, but Georgia looks like it is in a strong position.

One interesting trend in this class is how many family ties are coming into play. The Bulldogs landed Zachariah and Zion Branch, who came over from Southern California.

PJ Dean committed recently and is the younger brother of former Georgia lineman Jared Wilson.

They also added Justice Fitzpatrick, whose brother Minkah is a star in the NFL. Georgia clearly values those family connections and is using them to build chemistry and depth.

Coach Smart has always said he wants players who truly love football. It is not just about rankings or offers or money.

He made that clear again this spring when he said Georgia is focused on guys with fire, passion, and energy. That mindset is helping the Bulldogs stay strong even as college football continues to change around them.

Since Smart took over in 2016, Georgia has never finished lower than fourth in the national recruiting rankings. That consistency continues.

The Bulldogs went into Texas and grabbed defensive back Chace Calicut, then beat out in state rivals Florida and Miami for defensive lineman James Johnson. Georgia is pulling talent from everywhere.

And things are still heating up. July will bring some major decisions, and Georgia is in position to land even more top players. If they do, they could easily take over the top spot in the 2026 rankings from Southern California.

Kirby Smart understands better than anyone that great players build great programs. Even with all the new twists in the sport, Georgia is sticking to what works. Recruit hard. Build relationships. Target kids who live and breathe football. That approach has Georgia sitting near the top once again.

The message is clear. Georgia is not just keeping up in the new era of recruiting. It is setting the pace.