Here are the recruit Georgia's football programs is still looking to flip in the 2025 class.
Benjamin Wolk
When Kirby Smart spoke about the 2024 recruiting class on signing day, he gave an key insight into his recruiting strategy.
Within the context of KJ Bolden's recruitment, he was asked about how he pursues players that are committed to other programs. Smart has a different point-of-view.
"I don't see kids as committed to other places because they're not,"Smart said. "They're not signed. I just know that we recruit good football players. We evaluate every player the same, whether they're committed or not. If there's interest and conversation from them, and there are visits where they come to your campus, you just stay very consistent."
So that answer could've applied to Bolden, sure. It also could've applied to Nasir Johnson or Ondre Evans or any of the other prospects Georgia recruits until the end — and sometimes doesn't flip until deep into the football season or signing day.
Expect Georgia to take a similar approach in the Class of 2025.
In this article, we take a look at 10 prospects ranked in the updated Top247 who Georgia could try to flip before the cycle ends. This list doesn't include prospects outside the Top247 like Alabama linebacker commit Luke Metz or Colorado defensive back commit who the Bulldogs will also try to flip.
Let'sdo a deeper dive on the core 10 from the Top247.
Cornerback Na'eem Offord, Parker (Ala.)
Committed to:Ohio State
Ranking:No. 2 cornerback No. 6 overall
Offord has been one of Georgia's top defensive back targets through multiple defensive back coaches. His speed and length are exactly what Kirby Smart & Co. covet from its boundary corners. He has been committed to Ohio State since last year, and the Buckeyes have no reason to worry yet, but Georgia is among the programs looking to change Offord's mind. Oregon is definitely another. A source close to Offord said an official visit to Georgia might take place during the season, but that hasn't been finalized yet. It's never easy to flip someone from the Buckeyes. Offord is worth the attempt, even if it doesn't pan out.
Defensive lineman Justus Terry, Manchester (Ga.)
Committed to:Southern Cal
Ranking:No. 2 defensive lineman, No. 12 overall
Terry shocked the world when he flipped away from Georgia. Now the Bulldogs are working to return the favor to the Trojans. Terry has been to Georgia once since flipping to USC — for Georgia's G-Day. Terry turned that visit into a multi-day experience, and spent a lot of time with now-Georgia commit Darren Ikinnagbon. Terry will be back for the May 31 official visit weekend this upcoming Friday. There aren't any expectations for Terry to change his commitment status this week, but it will be a critical visit for Terry's ultimate decision. He's likely to take his recruitment all the way to signing day, but this official visit will be a key one for Georgia's chances.
EDGE Isaiah Gibson, Warner Robins (Ga.)
Committed to:Southern Cal
Ranking:No. 1 EDGE, No. 17 overall
Gibson remains committed to Southern Cal, but depending on who you talk to, other might have just as much of a shot of signing Gibson as the Trojans do. Within a minute of committed to USC, the top EDGE target received texts from Kirby Smart, followed by several other members of Georgia's defensive staff. The message was clear: Georgia still wants you. Gibson has returned to Athens for the scavenger hunt in the last two weeks. Now, he will return for an official visit this upcoming weekend. This weekend could very likely be a turning point in this recruitment.
Offensive lineman Solomon Thomas, Raines (Fla.)
Committed to:Florida State
Ranking:No. 1 interior offensive lineman, No. 24 overall
Thomas has always spoken highly about the Bulldogs, dating back to last summer when he chatted with Dawgs247 about his close friendshipwith former Georgia player Solomon Kindley. Since that time, Thomas committed to Florida State, which has forced Georgia to look elsewhere along the offensive line. That hasn't stopped the Bulldogs from putting in some recruiting effort in an attempt to land Thomas. Georgia offensive line coach Stacy Searels went to see Thomas practice during the most recent evaluation period. There isn't an official visit to Georgia set at this time, and nothing imminent is expected, but the Bulldogs are definitely going to give it a whirl given the proximity and connections.
Defensive lineman Malik Autry, Opelika (Ala.)
Committed to:Auburn
Ranking:No. 4 defensive lineman, No. 29 overall
Autry is someone that, despite his Auburn commitment status, has shown love for Georgia throughout his process. When coaches could begin messaging 2025 recruits last fall, Autry said that Tray Scott was the very first coach he heard from. Autry visited Georgia for a game last year, too. His recruiting profile has blown up recently, getting boosted to 5-star status in the most recent 247Sports update. With that esteem, top programs are likely to come calling. As with others on this list, Autry has scheduled a Georgia visit yet, and it's not certain that will take place. But given the proximity and previous relationships, there's always a chance the Bulldogs make a push.
Linebacker Tarvos Alford, Vero Beach (Fla.)
Committed to:Ohio State
Ranking:No. 8 linebacker, No. 72 overall
Alford is someone, similarly to Eric Winters, who has fluctuated as a defensive back and linebacker target for Georgia. Depending on how he develops, he could likely play either for the Bulldogs. Alford remains firmly committed to Ohio State, but Georgia and the Florida schools keep recruiting him. He's most recently visited Athens two weekends ago for the scavenger hunt weekend. It was a successful trip to Athens, but no big decisions have changed for Alford after that trip. As is the case with several others on this list, Georgia is working to try to secure an official visit before turning up the heat completely.
Defensive lineman Jalen Wiggins, James Rickards (Fla.)
Committed to:Florida
Ranking:No. 11 defensive lineman, No. 77 overall
Wiggins visited Georgia during the season last year and had rave reviews for Tray Scott and the way the Bulldogs run their program. He committed to Florida shortly thereafter, however. Wiggins has shown no signs of backing off that pledge, but Scott went to see Wiggins during the evaluation period. That shows Georgia still has interest and hasn't completely thrown in the towel. With uncertainty around Florida's program heading into 2024, Georgia might be trying to keep things warm with Wiggins in case something goes sideways in Gainesville. There's no official visit scheduled yet, to my knowledge, so that will dictate any changes most likely.
Defensive back Dallas Golden, Berkley Prep (Fla.)
Committed to:Notre Dame
Ranking:No. 8 safety, No. 92 overall
Golden isn't someone we've written about much at Dawgs247, but his name has come up from time-to-time in these types of articles. He has stayed in contact with Georgia coaches despite his commitment to Notre Dame. The next step will be: Can Georgia get him on an official visit? That's the angle the Bulldogs have been working for the last couple months, and some progress has been made on that front. The Fighting Irish shouldn't be concerned about the Bulldogs yet, but if they're able to get him on campus, anything can happen.
Offensive lineman Alex Payne, Gainesville (Ga.)
Committed to:North Carolina
Ranking:No. 11 offensive tackle, No. 129 overall
Payne is one of those offensive linemen who, every time you see him, feels like he's taken another step. He is firmly, firmly, firmly committed to North Carolina, so this isn't an indication Georgia would have much luck if it pursued. That said, should Georgia miss on an offensive lineman here or there throughout the June official visit window, Payne is a prospect who the Bulldogs could push harder for. Searels went to see a Gainesville practice earlier this year to check out Payne and some of the young offensive linemen. This is one to circle back around on should the Bulldogs find some summer misfortune withsome of its other OL targets, something we have no reason to believe will happen.
EDGE Zahir Mathis, Imhotep (Pa.)
Committed to:Ohio State
Ranking:No. 11 EDGE, No. 132 overall
Mathis told 247Sports' regional analyst Brian Dohn earlier this month that Georgia is one of the programs that still recruits him. Mathis said he hears from Georgia outside linebackers coach Chidera Uzo-Diribe on a fairly regular basis. Georgia isn't the only program still in pursuit. Ohio State seems to have Mathis pretty locked in for the time being, and Georgia has several other successful recruitments underway at EDGE. Much like with Payne and OL, if things start to go awry with other priority EDGE targets, you could see Georgia rev up the intensity with Mathis. For now, no official visit is known to be scheduled.
