After losing Jackson Cantwell in a huge Georgia recruiting hit, Kirby Smart plans a comeback.

For Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs, the world of recruiting has always been about domination. Since arriving in Athens, Smart has transformed Georgia into a perennial powerhouse on the field and on the recruiting trail. But in the competitive chess match that is college football recruiting, even the best suffer setbacks—and the Bulldogs’ recent loss of five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell represents one of the biggest blows of the cycle.

Still, if history is any indicator, Smart is far from finished. In fact, Georgia’s head coach may already be setting the pieces in motion for a major recruiting comeback that could turn the narrative back in his favor.

Jackson Cantwell, a towering 6-foot-8, 300-pound offensive tackle from Missouri, had long been a priority for Georgia’s 2025 recruiting class. Ranked as the No. 1 offensive tackle in the country and a top-10 overall prospect by multiple outlets, Cantwell represented not just a potential cornerstone for the Bulldogs’ offensive line, but also a symbolic get that reinforced Georgia’s status as the premier destination for elite talent in the trenches.

But when Cantwell made his announcement in favor of another program—choosing to take his talents outside of Athens—it sent shockwaves through the SEC. For Georgia fans, it was a rare miss. For Kirby Smart and his staff, it was a gut punch, albeit one they’ve experienced before and rebounded from quickly.

Cantwell’s decision was seen as particularly painful because of how close the Bulldogs appeared to sealing the deal. Georgia had invested months of effort into building relationships with Cantwell’s family, making multiple visits, and selling him on the Bulldogs’ NFL pipeline, especially along the offensive line. But in the end, outside factors—geography, familiarity, or simply fit—swung things away from Athens.

If there’s one thing Kirby Smart has proven, it’s that he doesn’t allow a recruiting loss to linger. Whether it was losing a five-star like Nolan Smith temporarily before ultimately flipping him back, or missing out on a major quarterback only to land a better fit months later, Smart has shown time and again that setbacks often precede surges.

Georgia has already responded to recruiting stumbles with strong closes in recent years:

• After losing out on five-star linebacker Harold Perkins in 2022, Georgia landed Jalon Walker, who developed into an impact defender early in his career.
• When Arch Manning committed to Texas in 2023, Georgia’s focus on development paid off, with Carson Beck evolving into a top-tier quarterback and the Bulldogs pivoting to promising prospects in the next class.
• Last cycle, after losing a top defensive line target to USC, Georgia turned around and flipped a high-upside in-state player who turned heads in spring camp.

Simply put, Smart doesn’t let bad news define his classes. He reshapes the board—and often comes back with a stronger hand.

Even with the loss of Cantwell, Georgia’s 2025 class remains one of the top-ranked in the nation. However, Smart and his staff know that the offensive line remains a major focus area, especially with several veteran linemen projected to depart for the NFL following the 2024 season.

Georgia has already zeroed in on several top-tier offensive tackles and interior linemen as potential additions to soften the Cantwell blow. Among them:

• Solomon Thomas (5-star, Florida): At 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds, Thomas has long been considered one of the most athletic tackles in the Southeast. Georgia is in his top group, and with a renewed push, the Bulldogs could vault to the front.
• Tyler Atkinson (4-star, Georgia): A local talent out of the Peach State, Atkinson has versatility to play tackle or guard and has spoken highly of the Bulldogs’ staff in multiple interviews.
• Isaiah Campbell (5-star, California): While a West Coast native, Campbell’s interest in SEC football—and Georgia in particular—has grown. Smart and his staff are expected to host him for an official visit this summer.

In addition to those names, Georgia may look to the transfer portal following the 2024 season if depth becomes a concern. With the Bulldogs’ recent success in portal evaluations, that’s an increasingly viable route.

One of the cornerstones of Georgia’s success under Smart has been dominance at the line of scrimmage. Year after year, the Bulldogs develop NFL-ready linemen on both sides of the ball. Names like Andrew Thomas, Isaiah Wynn, Broderick Jones, and Amarius Mims on the offensive line—and Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Travon Walker on the defensive front—have turned Athens into a launchpad for NFL careers.

That’s why losing a player like Jackson Cantwell stings. But it also underscores how high the bar has been set—and how quickly Georgia can reload.

In fact, Georgia’s 2024 offensive line group is shaping up to be one of the best in the country. With commitments from several four-star interior linemen and one of the top tackle prospects in the Southeast already on board, Smart has laid a solid foundation. Cantwell would’ve been the cherry on top. Now, the Bulldogs are searching for another elite talent to assume that role.

One of the themes that always emerges in Georgia’s recruiting efforts is how much they invest in personal relationships. That’s especially true at offensive line, where position coach Stacy Searels is known for his consistency, honesty, and player development. While Searels faced criticism early in his return to Athens, he’s since silenced doubters by helping elevate young linemen and keeping the pipeline flowing.

Now, Searels and Smart will rely on those same relational strengths to win over the next batch of blue-chip linemen.

The staff’s tireless approach—visiting families in person, ensuring constant communication, and building trust—has been instrumental in winning tight recruiting battles. That work won’t stop just because one major target slipped away.

For Kirby Smart, setbacks are fuel. His competitors know this. When Alabama beat Georgia for several recruits during the early years of Smart’s tenure, he responded by out-recruiting the Crimson Tide two years later. When Ohio State and LSU started plucking defensive backs Georgia coveted, Smart doubled down on in-state evaluations and landed Keontra Smith and Daylen Everette.

Losing Cantwell, especially to a non-SEC school, is a blemish—but one that may ultimately serve as motivation for Georgia to finish even stronger in the 2025 cycle.One recruiting loss doesn’t define a class—or a program. Georgia still sits at or near the top of every national recruiting ranking for 2025. The Bulldogs are still viewed by many prospects as the gold standard in college football, with national titles, elite development, and NFL success as powerful selling points.

Moreover, Smart has proven he can win without every five-star. His evaluation process is thorough, and he’s never been afraid to trust his staff’s ability to develop three- and four-star talents into first-round picks.

Perhaps most importantly, recruits continue to see Georgia as a program that develops men, not just players. The combination of academic support, life skills training, and elite facilities ensures the Bulldogs remain a top destination.

Despite the Cantwell news, several top 2025 recruits have recently reaffirmed their strong interest in Georgia:

• QB Ryan Montgomery: “Coach Smart always keeps it real. I love what Georgia’s doing. They’re going to compete for a natty every year, and that’s what I want.”
• WR Jaime Ffrench: “Georgia’s one of those places where you know you’ll be coached hard, and you’ll win. I’ve seen what they do with receivers lately, and I’m keeping an eye on it.”
• DL Elijah Griffin: “I’ve been to Athens twice now. The energy is real. That place is built different.”

Smart’s pitch still resonates—and the upcoming summer camp circuit gives Georgia plenty of time to strengthen bonds and make moves on the board.

With official visits heating up in June and Georgia’s summer camps expected to bring in dozens of blue-chip players, the Bulldogs are far from finished. In fact, many believe this recruiting cycle could end with Georgia finishing No. 1 overall yet again.

Targets to watch in the coming months include:

• OT Michael Fasusi (TX) – A top-10 tackle prospect who’s already locked in a visit to Athens.
• ATH Zayden Walker (GA) – A two-way star from in-state who could play linebacker or safety.
• RB Anthony Rogers (AL) – A versatile back who’s flirted with several SEC programs but has family ties to Georgia.

And then there’s always the possibility of a surprise flip. Georgia has made a habit of flipping high-profile commitments late in the cycle, especially after big in-season performances or when coaching changes open doors.

Jackson Cantwell’s decision stung. There’s no way around that. But for Kirby Smart, this is simply the nature of recruiting at the highest level. Not every battle will be won—but the war for talent is long, and Georgia is armed to the teeth.

Smart and his staff have already shifted focus, recalibrated the board, and set their sights on the next wave of elite talent. If history is any indication, the Bulldogs will come roaring back—and may end the cycle with a class even deeper and more dangerous than expected.