Too many names went from Sanford Stadium to NFL stadiums. The Georgia Bulldogs have consistently brought out big names, and that is all thanks to their recruitment process. Their all-time record stands at 892 wins with four national titles. A big part of those wins is the recruiting machine that only sharpened under Kirby Smart.
Top 10 Georgia Bulldogs Recruits
1. Justin Fields, QB, 2018
Justin Fields came out of high school as one of the highest-rated quarterbacks in history. And Bulldogs recruited him. Though his stay in Athens was brief, it was impossible to overlook the potential. He is a dual threat and had two rushing touchdowns against Tennessee and a 100-yard rushing day versus UMass. Despite backing up Jake Fromm, Fields finished with eight total touchdowns in limited action.
Ultimately, Fields transferred to Ohio State, where he became a Heisman contender and top NFL prospect. The Bears later drafted Justin Fields, traded him to the Steelers, and he is now with the Jets.
2. Nolan Smith, EDGE, 2019
For a reason, Nolan Smith was the No. 1 overall player in the 2019 class. He is a Savannah native who started his career with 18 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Smith ended his senior year as the team captain. Though injuries cut his 2022 season short, Smith’s impact stretched far beyond the stat sheet. The Philadelphia Eagles later drafted him.
3. Elijah Griffin, DL, 2024
Elijah Griffin is one of the most hyped recruits in Georgia’s modern era. He got an offer from the Bulldogs in eighth grade. With over 300 career tackles and 44 sacks in high school, the Savannah Christian product is a monster in the trenches. Ranked as a consensus five-star and one of the top players in the 2025 class, Griffin’s upside is off the charts.
4. Trenton Thompson, DT, 2015
Trenton Thompson is the top defensive tackle of the 2015 class. He is built like a tank and has noble footwork. He racked up 25 tackles and gained praise from Pro Football Focus as one of the country’s top true freshman interior linemen. Thompson helped anchor Georgia’s D-line and opened doors for future big-man recruiting hauls. He declared early for the NFL Draft in 2018.
5. Brandon Miller, DE, 2005
Before edge rushers became a staple of every recruiting class, Brandon Miller set the tone in Athens. He played in 37 games, starting 15, and totaled 73 tackles and 6.0 sacks over his career. Despite injuries slowing him down, Miller’s talent was seen. The Falcons drafted Miller, and then he played for the Seahawks.
6. Kelee Ringo, CB, 2020
Kelee Ringo had it all coming out of high school. Rated as the No. 1 cornerback in his class, Ringo lived up to the hype. Ringo was a nightmare for opposing receivers. His 79-yard pick-six against Alabama in the 2021 national title game made him a Bulldog legend. Drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, Ringo’s legacy at Georgia is forever golden.
7. Matthew Stafford, QB, 2006
Matthew Stafford was everything that Athens needed. He was strong-armed and cool under pressure. Stafford was the nation’s No. 1 quarterback recruit in 2006. He earned Freshman All-SEC honours and had MVP performances in bowl games.
Later, he became a cornerstone for the Detroit Lions, before winning a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams. Stafford’s recruiting win was a big moment for Georgia’s program in the early 2000s, and his name remains undoubtedly one of the most iconic in school history.
8. A.J. Green, WR, 2008
A.J. Green was a five-star wideout from South Carolina. He had over 2,600 receiving yards in three seasons and 23 touchdowns, including a 963-yard freshman campaign. That campaign earned him SEC Freshman of the Year. He went on to become a seven-time Pro Bowler in the NFL. Green remains one of the best receivers Georgia has ever landed.
9. Jacob Eason, QB, 2016
Jacob Eason was billed as Georgia’s next great gunslinger. With a cannon arm and prototypical size, he had some great moments.
KEEP READING: Flyover States Powering College Football’s Top Recruits
One of them was the game-winning touchdown throw against Missouri on 4th-and-10. Although he eventually transferred to Washington after an injury opened the door for Jake Fromm, the first lines of his legacy were written with the Bulldogs.
10. Isaiah Crowell, RB, 2011
Isaiah Crowell started his college career at Georgia in 2011. During the same time, he rushed 185 times for 856 yards (4.6 avg) and five touchdowns, adding eight receptions for 59 yards and 1 TD. However, he soon transferred to Alabama State.
Crowell went undrafted initially. However, he signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2014. He later joined the New York Jets in 2018, where he had a 219-yard game vs. Denver. Crowell ended his career on the Oakland Raiders’ roster in 2019.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball!
