Kirby Smart is a master recruiter continually working to strengthen Georgia’s roster for the future. And he’s not just looking for any players — he’s targeting top in-state talents!

The Bulldogs recently landed a big commitment from 4-star cornerback Jontae Gilbert. Initially, Gilbert committed to Ohio State after his freshman year but decided to reopen his recruitment and explore other options. After visiting schools like Georgia Tech, UCF, and North State, he ultimately joined the Bulldogs.

On August 10, On3’s Hayes Fawcett announced the news on Instagram, saying, “Four-Star CB Jontae Gilbert has Committed to Georgia, he tells me for @on3recruits.” Fawcett highlighted Gilbert’s words: “Georgia boys stay in Georgia & go to Georgia.” Soon, Gilbert jumped into the comments, excitedly writing, “Go Dawgs 🐶🐶😎,” — showing how pumped he is to represent his home state.

Gilbert, a 6’1″, 187-pound senior at Frederick Douglass High School, is a true all-rounder. We mean, he’s not just a standout cornerback but also a wide receiver, safety, and even a punter at times. Currently, he’s ranked as the 18th-best player in Georgia and the 17th-best cornerback in the 2025 class.

Seeing Gilbert’s potential, Smart wasted no time. He invited Gilbert to two camps — one in June and another a month later — to solidify his interest. “They’ve been calling and checking in since the camp,” Gilbert said, stressing how Georgia prioritized him. That’s a savvy recruiting move!

Gilbert will join other 4-star recruits like Shamari Earls and Todd Robinson in Georgia’s defensive backroom next year. With this, the Bulldogs now have the 2nd best recruiting class in the SEC and the third-best in the nation. While Alabama still leads, they’re having more difficulty locking down in-state talents than Georgia.

Kirby Smart shows recruiting dominance in the SEC

Kalen DeBoer is having a tough time attracting top in-state talent. Only 14% of Alabama’s roster comprises homegrown players, while Kirby Smart has secured 61% in-state talent for Georgia. DeBoer lost two big names to in-state rivals Auburn this August—4-star edge rusher Jared Smith and 4-star defensive lineman Antonio Coleman.

Regarding the 2025 recruiting class, Smart is edging ahead with 23 recruits, while DeBoer has 21. It’s looking like Smart could soon surpass Alabama’s dominance. Even college football analyst Josh Pate agrees. Pate said on his August 9 show, “I think this will be a top-five offense. It was last year, and they don’t need to improve at all.” He also noted how Smart retained his star quarterback, Carson Beck. Plus, the HC now has a strong receiver and running back room.

Pate also didn’t shy away from addressing the loss of tight end Brock Bowers to the NFL but reassured fans, saying, “Tight end loses Brock Bowers, and yet it’s still one of the best tight end rooms in the country. That’s called recruiting and developing.” With Smart’s ability to secure top in-state talent, Georgia is clearly on the right ‘recruiting’ path. And the “development” should soon be visible in their wins.