After the GOAT (Nick Saban) left college football, there was only one man everyone predicted to take over his throne. Kirby Smart had won two national championships. So, the predictions weren’t that off. However, the 2024 season for Smart and his Bulldogs can be summed up as a missed opportunity. Of course, they won the SEC Championship, but the Fighting Irish just outplayed a Kirby Smart team in the semis of the CFP. That wasn’t supposed to happen. Now, we look forward to the next season. Knowing Georgia HC, he’d be eager to go again with more rigor. The overhaul requires help, and some of it can come from the portal.

Firstly, the defensive struggles Georgia Bulldogs had in the 2024 season may not well be visible on the surface. But they were there to see if someone wanted. Take, for example, their 30th finish in defensive rankings in 2024, which in itself is a huge downgrade from previous years. To put that into context, they allowed almost 330 yards per game in the season. With their rushing yards allowed (129.6) being the highest since 2018. But that’s not all because, in some aspects, their defense was even far behind Florida State, Liberty Flames, and Mississippi State. But one Kirby Smart prospect has the potential to change all that.

Well, it is none other than the 4-star-rated DL

Preston Carey. Who, at 6 feet 4 and weighing 280 lbs, is a tank on defense. He currently holds almost 36 offers from different colleges without being committed to any. And his visit to Bulldogs may have changed that. He said in a statement praising the staff at Athens and the bossman Kirby Smart. “They treated me excellent, and they were very authentic to my father and me; I always enjoy everything about Georgia when I’m here.” He also had words of praise for the Georgia DC Glenn Schumann and praised how Schumann has the unique ability to run the defensive meetings that Carey also attended

“Very high energy and very interactive, Coach Schumann has a saying, ‘Say it with yo chest.’ The dynamic in the meeting room was loud and good talk. I loved it“. But that was not all because his best words were reserved for Kirby Smart. 

“He was telling me I could come in and compete and play early and that they need a big defensive tackle like myself for this 2026 class, and that they really want me“. That is classic Kirby, with his negotiating ability and in-person charisma that can even land him the best of the prospects. Overall, it seems Carey’s heart is set on the Dawgs. He resonated with the staff and coach Kirby Smart. And said that he wanted to get back to Athens as soon as possible. 

Notably, Preston Carey is a graduate of the famed IMG football academy. And if you somehow don’t know about it or have been living under a rock, then hear this. This is the same Academy that has given 1st round picks in 5 consecutive NFL drafts. Furthermore, they had three players playing in the 2023 natty final: JJ McCarthy (QB), Greg Crippen (OL), and Keon Sabb (DB). Even in the 2025 class, they gave recruits like the No. 2 recruit, Ellis Robinson IV. All this promises only one thing, and that is Carey has got a rich history on his back, and that will serve him well in the future. But the primary question looms: Is Carey and Smart’s union a done deal?

Has Kirby Smart finally landed Preston Carey?

While it is very likely that he will join the Bulldogs in the future. But, with almost 36 colleges chasing him, even a slight miscalculation from Smart’s camp will lead to losing him. Amongst, these colleges are Penn State, Rutgers, Syracuse, Ohio State, and LSU. The teams like Rutgers and Syracuse are mentioned here for a reason. That is because the Scarlet Knights, for instance, have almost a 9% chance of landing him, and they are ranked 2nd in probability rankings. He even had words of praise for their DC and Greg Schiano.

“They are great. Coach Schiano and Coach Watson continue to recruit, and I am grateful! They are just telling me how they will make sure I become a great man, not only a great player”. But that doesn’t add up, right? Rutgers is at best a mid-tier team, but they have already committed four-star Dyzier Carter and QB Gavin Sidwar for their 2026 class. That may point to something optimistic brewing in the Scarlet Knights’ camp. Apart from Rutgers, one of the biggest teams has almost a 27% chance to sign him.

That team is Penn State, which is ranked 1st in probabilities to land Carey by a wide margin. This is because Carey’s negotiations have been going on with the team since 2022 when he visited the program and consequently earned an offer from them. Furthermore, their star-studded 2026 class also may appeal to Carey more than other teams. The verdict? Well, the Bulldogs are definitely the front runners in making Carrey commit, but so are other teams. However, probability rankings are just numbers, and Coach Smart definitely would have a trick or two up his sleeve to convince Carey.