Kirby Smart took some heat last season; sure, they snagged the SEC title, but for the Dawgs, it’s national championship or bust. And Smart ain’t letting Georgia slide. Want to talk about grinding? The man’s working overtime to lock down top talent. Even after losing out on five-star QB Jared Curtis for 2026, he’s still in the hunt. And after taking flak for WR recruiting, he snagged four-star Vance Spafford, the lone receiver in Georgia’s 2026 class, a prized catch. But the celebration’s on hold, because Big Ten rivals are circling, and Spafford’s left the door slightly open.

Vance Spafford isn’t just a recruit; he’s a game-changer. Ranked 66th overall in 2026, the nation’s 10th best WR, and California’s 10th best recruit according to 247Sports. Kirby Smart beat out Ole Miss, Oregon, and Nebraska to land him, pairing Spafford with Tayln Taylor (2025) for a potent WR duo. But here’s the twist: despite committing on November 5th, USC is still in hot pursuit. And Spafford’s hearing the chatter, especially the “backyard” factor. But he’s standing his ground. As he told On3, “People are going to talk. That’s how it goes. Everyone can have their assumptions about what’s going on, which is fine. USC is in the backyard. It is what it is. Just let them talk; it’s okay.” For now, Spafford’s locked in with Georgia, but in the world of recruiting, nothing’s set in stone.

However, USC’s recruiting pull? Straight up sorcery!

The Trojans recently secured 2026 QB Jonas Williams from Oregon and are now focused on building around him, starting with four-star WR Vance Spafford. USC’s recruiting efforts have been impressive, ranking No. 1 in 247Sports’ 2026 rankings with 11 commits, 64% of whom are from in-state. In addition to Williams, they’ve also signed four-star RB Shahn Alston, but they need more wide receivers. Landing Spafford would be a huge win, and USC is determined to recruit him.

Here’s the kicker: Vance Spafford visited USC unofficially on February 1st for Junior Day and has another visit planned. USC is actively pursuing top talent, so it’s no wonder they’re going all out for him. Spafford’s sophomore year performance speaks volumes—he possesses exceptional speed, great hands, and the ability to turn short catches into big gains. His standout performance at Mission Viejo resulted in breaking numerous records, including 83 catches for 1,576 yards and 22 touchdowns, setting new school records.

Despite all their efforts, Vance Spafford currently seems committed to Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs. But what makes him so drawn to the team?

Vance Spafford’s strong belief in Kirby Smart’s system

Now, what keeps Vance Spafford locked in with Georgia? The coaching staff. After attending Georgia’s pro day, he explained the significance of that connection. “I loved being around the coaches more,” Spafford told On3. “Coach Smart was amazing to talk to, and I had great talks with (receivers) coach (James) Coley. I feel we really grew our relationship more, and that was amazing.”

Vance Spafford isn’t stopping there; he’s planning another Athens trip this spring, with an official visit set for June 13th. And he won’t be making that trip alone. Star quarterback Jared Curtis will be present, and Spafford is monitoring him closely. “Jared Curtis is a beast; he’s amazing,” Spafford said. “He’s incredible. I committed there partly because he was committed there as well. He has been working on making his decision, and I respect that. I think he should do what he should do. I think he’s amazing, and I would love for him to come to Georgia and throw me that ba-l. That would be great.”

But Jared Curtis isn’t the only recruit on Spafford’s radar. Georgia also holds a commitment from four-star tight end Mark Bowman, who reclassified to the 2026 class and is a top target, and is also making a massive impact on Vance Spafford. “Mark Bowman is my guy; we talk all the time,” Spafford said. “I hang out with him. He’s incredible. That’s a future first-round draft pick right there. He’s a great kid; he’s phenomenal on the field. He’s a generational talent, and I’d be honored to put the pads on with him.” Right now, Spafford isn’t entertaining any other schools. His focus? School, training, and locking in for early enrollment next spring.