Kirby Smart’s Recruiting Woes: A Temporary Lull or a Bigger Problem?
Kirby Smart, known for consistently pulling in top recruiting classes, is facing an unusually quiet offseason on the recruiting front. Despite making some progress, the University of Georgia head coach is struggling to secure top-tier talent, and the lack of headline-grabbing commitments is starting to raise eyebrows.
FONG BOMB: On3’s @SWiltfong_ has logged an expert prediction for Oregon to land Five-Star Plus+ OT Immanuel Iheanacho🦆
Iheanacho is the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2026 class.
Intel: https://t.co/LBPMxYaKY0 pic.twitter.com/TkvclM4CBb
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) May 13, 2025
So far, the biggest win for Smart has been the commitment of 5-star quarterback Jared Curtis. This marks Curtis’ second commitment to Georgia after previously showing serious interest in Oregon. While Curtis is a significant pickup and brings major talent to the Bulldogs’ future, his presence alone hasn’t triggered a wave of other high-profile recruits following suit. One of the most notable disappointments comes with Georgia’s struggle to secure elite offensive tackle prospects like Immanuel Iheanacho and Jackson Cantwell.
Iheanacho, a towering 6’7″, 320-pound lineman ranked as the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2026 class, now seems poised to commit to Oregon. Recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong of On3 projects a 72.5% likelihood that Iheanacho chooses Dan Lanning’s program. Although Georgia was once in serious contention, recent developments suggest the Ducks have gained the upper hand—likely influenced by Oregon’s strong showing during spring visits. Iheanacho, the first major Division I recruit out of Georgetown Prep in years, would have been a cornerstone piece for Georgia’s future offensive line.
In another major recruiting blow, 5-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell opted to commit to Miami instead of Georgia or Oregon. Cantwell’s decision came down to development, stating that Miami’s offensive line coach Alex Mirabal was the best in college football for nurturing talent. He emphasized that Miami offered him the best opportunity to grow both as a player and a person, sealing his commitment to Mario Cristobal’s program.
This loss particularly stings for Kirby Smart, as Cantwell had been seriously considering Georgia and had built a rapport with Jared Curtis. Curtis even publicly encouraged Cantwell to join him in Athens, posting messages of support on social media. Cantwell congratulated Curtis after his commitment, and the two appeared to be on the verge of forming a strong offensive pairing. However, with Cantwell now headed to Miami, that vision has been dismantled.
These setbacks don’t just impact Smart—they also affect Curtis. The QB, who boasts over 9,000 all-purpose yards and 130 touchdowns, would have benefited greatly from having elite linemen like Cantwell and Iheanacho protecting him. Their absence creates uncertainty around Georgia’s offensive line strength in the 2026 class, even though the program still holds a solid core of recruits.
Georgia has routinely finished with top-5 recruiting classes under Smart, but missing out on these two high-profile offensive tackles could be a sign of increased competition from programs like Oregon and Miami. Both Lanning and Cristobal are making significant moves on the recruiting trail, and Smart’s usual dominance appears to be facing real challenges.
While it’s too early to say whether this is a permanent downturn or a short-term recruiting hiccup, Georgia’s recent struggles to close the deal on elite prospects might warrant a closer look at their recruiting strategy going forward.