Georgia Bulldogs Pursuing Flip of Elite 2026 Wisconsin Commit as Kirby Smart Targets Another Major Recruiting Victory in the Trenches
In the ever-evolving world of college football recruiting, no commitment is ever truly safe until pen meets paper. That reality is especially true when powerhouse programs like Georgia enter the picture. The Bulldogs, long known for their aggressive and effective recruiting strategies under head coach Kirby Smart, appear to be circling one of Wisconsin’s top 2026 commits—a development that could significantly reshape both teams’ future trenches.
Georgia has recently turned its attention toward Wisconsin offensive tackle commit Carter Bennett, a four-star prospect from the Midwest who pledged to the Badgers earlier this year. Bennett, currently ranked among the top-10 offensive tackles in the 2026 class by several recruiting services, has become a top target for Georgia’s staff as they look to build another dominant offensive line class.
The Bulldogs’ interest in Bennett speaks volumes about both his talent and their long-term roster planning. Georgia doesn’t just recruit based on rankings—they recruit based on fit, physicality, and upside. In Bennett, the staff sees a 6-foot-6, 295-pound mauler who combines the footwork of a left tackle with the power and finish of an interior lineman. His versatility, athleticism, and work ethic have made him a cornerstone of Wisconsin’s 2026 class, but Georgia is hoping their recent push can create second thoughts.
Sources close to the situation suggest that Bennett has not shut down communication with other schools, despite his verbal pledge to Wisconsin. That openness, paired with Georgia’s recent efforts, has led many insiders to believe the Bulldogs are seriously in play. While flipping a player from a program like Wisconsin—a school with a rich offensive line tradition—won’t be easy, Georgia has a track record of success in these battles.
Under Kirby Smart and offensive line coach Stacy Searels, Georgia has become a factory for developing elite linemen and sending them to the NFL. Recent first-rounders like Andrew Thomas and Broderick Jones serve as examples of what Georgia can offer elite offensive line prospects. The Bulldogs have also consistently fielded one of the most physically imposing offensive fronts in college football, and their depth development is second to none.
For Bennett, the pitch from Georgia likely centers around long-term development, competition against the best in the SEC, and exposure on the national stage. In Athens, every practice is a showcase of elite talent, and every game is an audition for NFL scouts. The opportunity to compete against blue-chip defensive linemen daily is something few programs can match.
Additionally, the Bulldogs’ recent run of success—including national championships in 2021 and 2022, and deep playoff runs in the years since—has elevated the program into an elite tier of college football. That kind of consistent contention and visibility resonates with recruits who aspire to play at the highest level.
Wisconsin, of course, has its own selling points. The Badgers have built a strong reputation over the decades for developing offensive linemen who succeed at both the collegiate and professional levels. Their new coaching staff, under Luke Fickell, has also made a major push to modernize the program and ramp up recruiting efforts. Bennett’s early commitment was a huge win for the Badgers and a sign that Fickell’s vision was resonating with top-tier talent.
Still, Georgia’s recent involvement introduces a level of pressure and uncertainty Wisconsin wasn’t anticipating. While the Badgers have prioritized maintaining relationships and reaffirming commitments, holding off a full-court press from a national power like Georgia is no easy task—especially when visits are being planned.
Bennett is reportedly considering an unofficial visit to Georgia during the 2025 season, likely for one of the Bulldogs’ high-profile SEC home games. Those kinds of visits can be game-changers. The energy of Sanford Stadium, the professionalism of Georgia’s recruiting operation, and the opportunity to see the Bulldogs in action against top-tier competition often leave a lasting impression.
For Georgia, flipping Bennett would be about more than just landing a single recruit. It would be another example of their growing national footprint. The Bulldogs have dominated in-state recruiting, raided other SEC territories, and now seem poised to go deeper into Big Ten country to secure top talent. It’s a sign that no region is off-limits for Kirby Smart and his staff.
In recent years, Georgia has pulled top recruits out of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, signaling their confidence in going head-to-head with the Midwest’s traditional powers. That confidence is backed by results. The Bulldogs don’t just enter these recruiting battles—they often win them, especially when they identify a player early and apply consistent pressure throughout the cycle.
Bennett’s recruitment is also emblematic of the shifting landscape in college football, where name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities and expanded media coverage have made high-level recruiting more aggressive than ever. Top programs are no longer content to wait until a prospect decommits—they go on the offensive, trying to flip players even after commitments have been made.
While Georgia has largely avoided the more public NIL battles, preferring to emphasize development and winning, the program is still fully engaged in the realities of modern recruiting. Players like Bennett, who have NFL potential and positional value, are priority targets, and Georgia is prepared to make a compelling case to every elite offensive lineman in the country.
From a roster construction standpoint, Bennett would fit seamlessly into Georgia’s long-term plans. The Bulldogs are expected to lose multiple offensive linemen to the NFL after the 2025 season, creating opportunities for young linemen to compete early. Bennett has the kind of frame and skill set that, with a year or two of development, could allow him to emerge as a future anchor on Georgia’s offensive front.
Furthermore, Georgia’s interest in Bennett is a sign that they are targeting specific traits in this recruiting cycle. Unlike some years where they chase volume, this 2026 class appears to be more about securing high-upside, versatile players who fit their long-term scheme. Bennett’s ability to play multiple spots across the line makes him even more appealing in that context.
Recruiting battles like this are often won in the margins—in the relationships built during unofficial visits, the phone calls with assistant coaches, the impressions left by head coach conversations, and the performance of the team during the season. Georgia has been exceptionally good at closing the gap in all those areas.
Kirby Smart has consistently emphasized the importance of recruiting in building a national contender. His relentless approach and attention to detail have elevated Georgia’s recruiting operation to among the best in the country. With multiple top-five classes under his belt and a deep pipeline of talent already on campus, Smart knows how to identify and land elite players, even if they’re already committed elsewhere.
Wisconsin will undoubtedly fight to keep Bennett, and the Badgers’ revamped recruiting staff under Luke Fickell will not back down easily. They’ve made Bennett a centerpiece of their class for good reason, and they’ll use every tool at their disposal to keep him on board.
But Georgia’s interest signals that the battle for Carter Bennett is far from over. As fall approaches and visits begin, this recruitment could become one of the more closely watched storylines of the 2026 cycle. If the Bulldogs can pull off the flip, it would not only boost their offensive line class but also send another clear message to the rest of the country: Georgia recruits nationally, relentlessly, and with the backing of one of the most complete football programs in America.
For now, Bennett remains committed to Wisconsin. But in college football recruiting, nothing is final until signing day. Georgia is betting on that reality—and betting that the strength of their program, coaching staff, and development track record will be enough to make one of the Midwest’s top offensive linemen rethink his future. The coming months will reveal whether that gamble pays off.
