Georgia Football News: Recruiting Shakeups, Rankings Boosts, and a Checkerboard in Knoxville
Georgia football got a mix of good news and entertainment on Wednesday. One of their newest commits earned a surprise fifth star, and Tennessee fans unintentionally delivered some comic relief with a “special” game day announcement. But the main storyline that had Bulldogs fans buzzing was the fallout from missing out on the nation’s top recruit.
Jackson Cantwell Commits Elsewhere, Sparks Debate
Five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell committed to Miami (FL) on Tuesday, choosing the Hurricanes over Georgia. The decision stirred a wave of reactions, with the general consensus among fans being that Miami’s lucrative NIL offer played a significant role in his choice.
While disappointing for Georgia fans, it’s hard to blame any recruit for prioritizing financial opportunity—especially in the current landscape of college football, where the NCAA allows NIL to be a major factor in recruitment. Most people would make a similar choice if offered a better-paying job.
Regardless of the reasoning, Cantwell will not be part of Georgia’s 2026 recruiting class. Still, there’s no reason for panic in Athens. Georgia remains well-positioned to finish with one of the top classes in the country.
Jared Curtis Gets His Fifth Star
Quarterback commit Jared Curtis has only been pledged to Georgia for about a week and a half, but he’s already climbing the ranks. While many fans already viewed him as a five-star thanks to the composite rankings from 247Sports and On3, 247Sports’ individual ranking still listed him as a four-star—until now.
On Wednesday, 247Sports updated its rankings, officially giving Curtis his fifth star. In a fun twist, Curtis leapfrogged Cantwell in the rankings, moving up three spots to No. 9 overall, while Cantwell slipped seven spots to No. 10.
Tennessee Plans Checker Neyland for Georgia Game
Although the season is still more than three months away, Tennessee is already hyping up its marquee home games. When Georgia visits Neyland Stadium in Week 3, the Vols plan to “checker” the stadium—a coordinated fan outfit of alternating orange and white sections.
It’s a flashy move meant to intimidate, but Georgia isn’t likely to be fazed. The Bulldogs have beaten Tennessee eight straight times, and none of those wins were particularly close. The checkerboard may make for a cool visual, but history suggests it won’t make a difference on the scoreboard.
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