Georgia Football Recruiting 2023: Kirby Smart's Top Commits Landed and Predictions

Losing in the SEC Championship Game and missing the College Football Playoff for the first time in three years hasn't done much to hurt Georgia's ability to recruit.

The Bulldogs currently have the best recruiting class in the country, per 247Sports.com's composite rankings. Their group of incoming players includes 23 players who are either 4- or 5-star prospects.

It's hardly a surprise to see head coach Kirby Smart and his staff having this much success on the recruiting trail. They haven't finished outside of the top five in 247Sports' team rankings since 2016 when they were sixth.

Here's a look at the top players who have already committed to Georgia, as well as rumors and predictions for what to expect now that the early signing period has begun.

Top Commitments

Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

ATHENS, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 4: A Georgia Bulldogs helmet sits in the bench area during the fourth quarter against the Missouri Tigers at Sanford Stadium on November 4, 2023 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

5-star cornerback Ellis Robinson IV (Bradenton, FL)

5-star linebacker Justin Williams (Conroe, TX)

4-star defensive lineman Joseph Jonah-Ajonye (Conroe, TX)

4-star linebacker Chris Cole (Salem, VA)

4-star wide receiver NiTareon Tuggle (Nappanee, IN)

4-star offensive tackle Daniel Calhoun (Marietta, GA)

4-star cornerback Demello Jones (Swainsboro, GA)

4-star tight end Jaden Reddell (Peculiar, MO)

4-star defensive lineman Nasir Johnson (Dublin, GA)

4-star cornerback Ondre Evans (Nashville, TN)

4-star defensive lineman Jordan Thomas (Ramsey, NJ)

4-star linebacker Kristopher Jones (Fairfax, VA)

4-star offensive tackle Marques Easley (Kankakee, IL))

4-star running back Nate Frazier (Santa Ana, CA)

4-star athlete Dwight Phillips Jr. (Mableton, GA)

4-star quarterback Ryan Puglisi (Avon, CT)

4-star offensive tackle Nyier Daniels (Oradell, NJ)

4-star offensive tackle Michael Uini (Copperas Cove, TX)

4-star defensive lineman Justin Greene (Lawrenceville, GA)

A complete list of Georgia's 2024 class can be found at 247Sports.

While the Bulldogs' incoming class looks fantastic, it did take a notable hit on Monday when 5-star quarterback Dylan Raiola flipped his commitment to Nebraska.

It probably wasn't a coincidence that Raiola's announcement came at about the same time Carson Beck said he was returning to Georgia in 2024.

Beck's performance this season would likely have ensured he was the starter next season. Raiola is an elite prospect who was likely looking to get on the field as soon possible. He will almost certainly be under center for the Cornhuskers in 2024.

The defense, as always, looks to be in great shape going forward. Ellis Robinson IV and Justin Williams are the top-10 prospects overall and the best recruits at their positions. They will be joined by eight other 4-star recruits on a team that has eight top-100 prospects in the 2024 NFL draft.

Early Signing Day Predictions

AP Photo/John Amis, File

FILE - In this Sept. 5, 2015, file photo, Georgia fans watch the season opening NCAA college football game against Louisiana Monroe at Sanford Stadium n Athens, Ga. The Georgia Bulldog are planning to have fans between the hedges. The school announced ticket plans that call for allowing 20-25% capacity at 92,746-seat Sanford Stadium. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)

The early-signing period is shaping up to be rather uneventful for the Bulldogs, not counting the Raiola decision since that technically happened before players could sign.

Georgia gained Nasir Johnson, a 4-star defensive lineman from the state, when he flipped his commitment in November after originally pledging to attend Florida over the summer.

"Since early in the season, Georgia has been coming very strong," Johnson told Chad Simmons of On3.com before he made his decision. "They have been recruiting me really hard lately. Georgia wants me to be a part of the team, they want me to be a Dawg and it is a school I have to look at. I am from Georgia, they want to look after my family and Georgia is Georgia for me. I was a fan and it was my dream school at one time, so being a Georgia boy, I have to consider them."

The addition of Johnson was significant for Smart's class with Nazir Stackhouse, Zion Logue, Warren Brinson and Tramel Walthour all in their final year.

Georgia's first big pickup during the season was in October when 4-star cornerback Ondre Evans flipped his commitment from LSU. He told Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports that Bulldogs defensive backs coach Fran Brown eventually won him over during the recruiting process.

"I like coach Fran he's been honest with me and how the program will be and how he will be while coaching his players as well," Evans said. "And what excites me about playing for him is knowing that he will push me and hold me to a high standard."

If there was hope for one more big addition during the early-signing period, it was probably coming from 5-star safety KJ Bolden. He verbally committed to Florida State in August and hasn't decommitted at this point, but he recently posted an image on social media that certainly made Seminoles fans nervous.

Bolden is from Georgia and attends Buford High School, where he is teammates with Raiola. Georgia and Auburn were the other finalists when Bolden originally picked Florida State.

If there's a reason for Florida State fans to rest easy, it's because he told Simmons on Aug. 5 that it "has been my dream school since I was growing up." He confirmed on Sunday after an official visit to Tallahassee he's going to sign with the Seminoles.

Smart and his staff were at least doing a great job of at least giving Bolden a lot to think about.

Even if there's no dramatic last-second addition, the Bulldogs' incoming class has them well set up for 2024 and beyond.