Georgia’s 2026 recruiting class is ranked in the top five nationally by most major recruiting services. But Kirby Smart isn’t easing off the gas pedal just yet. He’s shifting his attention to the 2027 class. Georgia just made a massive move for the future by extending a scholarship offer to one of the most sought-after athletes in the nation.

That athlete is Aroson “AJ” Randle Jr., a four-star linebacker from Garner High School in North Carolina. After a personal conversation with Georgia’s defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann, Randle announced his offer on social media, saying, “After a great conversation with Coach Glenn Schumann, I am blessed to receive an offer from the University of Georgia.”

But landing him won’t be easy for Smart and the Bulldogs because the rising star has some deep-rooted ties to the Big Ten, particularly with the Michigan Wolverines. The Michigan connection could pose a serious challenge for Georgia’s pursuit. Randle’s father is a die-hard Michigan fan. And when the Wolverines extended their offer on January 20, the family’s reaction said it all. “He was just at a loss for words. It was so surreal for him,” Randle’s father shared. Both of Randle’s parents are from Lansing, Michigan, and the family has strong ties to the state. 

Michigan’s safeties coach, Tyler Stockton, recently made a personal visit to check in on Randle in North Carolina. And the recruit has expressed his appreciation for the attention from the Wolverines. Randle himself has been open about his interest in playing up north, stating, “I’ve always seen myself playing in the Big Ten, SEC, or ACC. Those are just my dream conferences, so yes, most definitely (I’m open to coming north).”

But Michigan isn’t the only Big Ten school with a personal connection to the Randle family. His older brother, Brandon Bouyer-Randle, played linebacker for Michigan State before transferring to Texas Tech and later UConn. “MSU is a school many people in my family attended: my uncle, my mom, my older brother, and etc.,” Randle said.

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Despite all those ties pulling Randle in different directions, Georgia absolutely needs to win this battle. Randle is currently ranked as the No. 326 overall recruit nationally, the No. 24 linebacker, and the No. 12 prospect in North Carolina. His combination of size, speed, and versatility is what Schumann is looking for at linebacker. Randle has contributed on offense as a running back and wide receiver while also starring on defense. His versatility makes him a rare talent. Landing him would give Georgia another foundational piece for the future.

But for now, Smart and his staff can take pride in what they’ve already accomplished with the 2026 class, which remains one of the strongest in the nation heading into the 2026 season.

Kirby Smart’s championship-ready 2026 class

While Kirby Smart spent this past weekend hosting 2027 prospects like Aroson Randle on campus for Junior Day, he can take satisfaction in knowing the 2026 class is already one of the most complete groups in the nation.  After losing five-star quarterback Jared Curtis to a stunning flip to Vanderbilt just before signing day in December, Georgia quickly pivoted and landed Bryson Beaver, a four-star transfer from Oregon. Beaver brings four years of eligibility and is considered one of the fastest-rising quarterbacks in the country.

On the defensive side, Georgia has built what is one of the best secondary hauls in the nation. Four-star cornerbacks Justice Fitzpatrick and Caden Harris signed their letters of intent in December. Fitzpatrick, ranked as the No. 58 overall player and the sixth-best cornerback nationally, brings elite cover skills, while Harris complements him perfectly on the other side. 

But it’s not just about the defense. Georgia absolutely crushed it on the offensive side, too. Five-star offensive tackle Ekene Ogboko is the crown jewel of this class, a 6-foot-6, 310-pound mauler who was ranked as high as the No. 14 overall recruit in the nation by Rivals. 

He’s joined by an incredibly talented in-state trio of four-star center Zykie Helton, four-star tackle Graham Houston, and three-star guard Zach Lewis. It seems like Georgia’s OL coach Stacy Searels has built a pipeline that should keep Georgia dominant in the trenches for years to come.