Kirby Smart Plots Comeback After Losing Jackson Cantwell in Massive Georgia Recruiting Hit

The Georgia Bulldogs aren’t just building for today — they’re stacking stars for tomorrow. However, one name is heating up early. Class of 2027 EDGE phenom LaDamion Guyton. He’s already grabbed the crown as the No. 1 player in the nation, and Georgia’s not wasting time. According to Steve Wiltfong of On3, the Bulldogs “remain the program setting the pace” in Guyton’s recruitment. That’s big. Kirby Smart is playing chess, eyeing elite talent that’s still years from campus. But Guyton, too, has already visited Athens around seven times, showing a clear familiarity with the program. In an interview with On3’s Chad Simmons, he praised Georgia’s culture, saying, “What I like about Georgia is [they] won’t let anyone be mediocre. They hold every player to a standard… Everyone that goes to Georgia goes to work.” Now, if Georgia lands Guyton, could it be the next power move in their dynasty run?

Maybe yes, maybe no — but Georgia’s 2025 dynasty is loading up strong as Kirby Smart hits his 10th season as head coach. Sure, they missed out on Jackson Cantwell, but then they landed Jared Curtis — the five-star QB from Nashville Christian and the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2026 class. Georgia’s 2025 haul is stacked with elite talent: dominant DL Elijah Griffin, towering TE Elyiss Williams, and explosive pass-rusher Isaiah Gibson. Throw in lockdown LB Zayden Walker, dynamic receiver Talyn Taylor, and future star QB Ryan Montgomery, and the Bulldogs are reloading with firepower on both sides of the ball. So, Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs aren’t just building a team — they’re crafting a title contender ready to roar.

Smart isn’t sweating one miss — he’s plotting a comeback. On the May 22nd episode of UGA Football on Dawg Post, the loss of five-star lineman Jackson Cantwell was addressed head-on. Dean Legge didn’t mince words and said, “They did not get Jackson Canwell, but it wasn’t because of Stacy Searels or Mike Bobo. That had a lot to do with NIL and his relationship with the Miami staff. Stacy Searels was the guy who almost landed him and came in a close second. The guy does know what he’s doing. He’s bringing in really good talent.” So, it was a recruiting hit, no doubt — but Georgia’s still swinging big. And with Kirby’s track record? The Dawgs won’t stay down for long.

Well, Georgia might be heating up in the race for five-star lineman Darius Gray. After a massive official visit during the Bulldogs’ summer scavenger hunt weekend, all eyes are on the elite talent from St. Christopher’s in Virginia. He’s the No. 1 guard in the nation — and Athens rolled out the red carpet. Legge summed it up best, saying, “Darius Gray is an elite five-star offensive lineman to keep a close eye on. I think Georgia has moved up in his recruitment, so that’s one guy to know.”

Then, Dean Legge didn’t hold back when breaking down Georgia’s linebacker targets. He spotlighted four-star Nick Abrams, a name fans are hearing more often — and for good reason. Abrams consistently praises the Dawgs and remains firmly on their radar. But the crown jewel? Five-star phenom Tyler Atkinson from Grayson High. “That’s still the big prize,” said Legge. As a top-10 talent nationally, Atkinson has been on the radar since middle school. And as Legge put it, “one of the best linebackers I’ve ever covered.” Now, Georgia wants them both — and more.

Well, Nick Abrams is quickly becoming a top LB target for Georgia, and the feeling seems mutual. The 6’2″, 220-pound standout from Maryland is turning heads in Athens. The staff is very high on him, and it’s easy to see why. He brings size, speed, and smarts. After his official visit, Abrams made it clear that Georgia left a mark. “I think the visit added to everything I already knew. Georgia is a great university. They’re elite in football, and they’re elite in the classroom. Coach Schumann is great at putting guys in the league. It’s crazy because he has three Butkus Award winners at the age of 35, which is insane. The atmosphere that Coach Smart is creating is something,” said Abrams.

Simply put, Georgia’s not just chasing stars — they’re locking in on game-changers. It’s not just Nick Abrams turning heads. Five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson is firmly on the radar, too. “They really want me there,” said Atkinson, after Georgia turned up the heat during Junior Day. He added they “took it up a few levels,” and that says it all. With elite talent like Abrams and Atkinson in the mix, the 2025 season could be more than just another title run — it could be a statement. So Kirby Smart’s machine isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Kirby Smart doesn’t just talk about winning — he breathes it.

Kirby Smart still burns for national titles — every year, no exceptions. But he knows the game’s changing fast. With the SEC growing and competition fiercer than ever, even a powerhouse like Georgia has new hurdles. Still, Smart isn’t backing down. “I love the expectation. I embrace that,” he told Paul Finebaum. For him, winning the expanded 16-team SEC might soon be just as tough — and just as meaningful — as lifting the trophy in January. “It’s probably one of the best years we’ve had in terms of winning games,” he said. So, the mission stays the same: chase greatness, no matter how steep the climb.

Last season, Georgia battled through a tough grind, finishing 11-3 and clinching the SEC title. They lost starting QB Carson Beck halfway through the championship game but still faced five playoff-bound teams — a brutal stretch by any measure. And that doesn’t even count road games against Ole Miss and Bama, two squads just shy of the playoff cut. This year’s schedule won’t offer much breathing room either, but there’s a silver lining — Bama, Texas, and Ole Miss all come to Athens. The Bulldogs will face an early road test at Vols, where Gunner Stockton is expected to make his first career start away from home. So, the challenge is real, the stage is set, and Georgia’s ready.

Why not? Kirby Smart’s pitch stacks elite talent. According to Dean, it’s crystal clear and powerful: come to Georgia, and you’ll be developed, not just as a football player, but as a man. Over the past three years, Georgia players have had the highest chance of hearing their name called on draft night. Plus, you’ll earn a degree from a top 20 university. Playing linebacker under Glenn Schumann means training with a coach who’s basically molding future NFL stars every day. So, the message? Win games, get drafted early, and graduate strong. Honestly, it’s a winning formula that speaks for itself.