Georgia Gets Depressing Information About the Competition for Elite Tight End Recruits

For years, the University of Georgia has stood tall as a magnet for elite tight end talent. Thanks to the success of players like Brock Bowers and Darnell Washington, the Bulldogs developed a reputation as a premier destination for physically dominant, NFL-bound tight ends. But according to several recent developments on the recruiting trail, Georgia may no longer be the king of that hill.

Despite Kirby Smart’s unrelenting recruiting efforts and a program stacked with national championships, UGA is learning a harsh truth: it’s getting much tougher to land the nation’s best tight ends. What was once a position of dominance may now be drifting toward uncertainty.

The Brock Bowers Effect — Fading?

For the last three seasons, Georgia didn’t have to sell recruits on a dream — they had Brock Bowers.

Bowers, a two-time All-American and arguably the best college tight end of the modern era, was the definition of a matchup nightmare. Whether stretching the field, taking handoffs, or flattening defenders after the catch, his impact was undeniable. His success served as a calling card for Georgia’s tight end development, making the program incredibly attractive to rising stars at the position.

But Bowers is gone — off to the NFL after a decorated career — and his absence has left a vacuum both on the field and in the recruiting narrative. Recruits are starting to ask the tough questions: Is Georgia still the best place for a tight end? Will there be enough touches in Mike Bobo’s offense now that Bowers isn’t the centerpiece? Can they maintain elite development without Todd Hartley continuing to land top-tier talent?

The answers, so far, haven’t reassured the next wave of five-star prospects.

Losing Ground to Emerging Tight End Factories

Georgia is no longer recruiting in a vacuum. Several powerhouse programs are aggressively investing in their tight end pipelines — and they’re winning.

Ohio State, long known for producing top-tier wide receivers, is beginning to emphasize tight end usage under Ryan Day. They’ve already locked in commitments from two Top-10 tight ends in the 2025 cycle. The Buckeyes have sold the vision of a more balanced, multi-tight-end approach, and that message is resonating with recruits who want to be more than just glorified blockers.

Alabama, with new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb at the helm, is also making waves. Grubb, fresh off a stint at Washington where he turned tight ends into offensive weapons, has convinced several high-profile recruits that Tuscaloosa may be the place to shine. The Tide recently surged into the top three for several Georgia targets, including 5-star tight end Tyshun Jenkins from Houston.

Even Florida State and Miami have entered the fray, capitalizing on NIL flexibility and offensive creativity to lure athletic tight ends. Florida State’s hybrid use of tight ends has generated interest from multiple blue-chip players, some of whom Georgia was once favored to land.

The Recruiting Misses are Piling Up

Perhaps the most painful evidence of Georgia’s struggles is the list of high-profile misses they’ve suffered in recent months.

Five-star tight end Da’Jon Brewster, the top-ranked TE in the 2025 class, stunned many by choosing Oregon over Georgia and Alabama. Brewster cited “immediate usage, flexibility, and tight end freedom” as his main reasons for heading west. Georgia was in his top five, but never seemed to gain serious traction down the stretch.

Four-star tight end Elijah Thompson, a Georgia native from Macon, shocked insiders by committing to Texas A&M — a program with a new offensive staff but a clear pitch: “You’ll be our Bowers.” The Aggies sold Thompson on being the focal point in a system that has historically not featured tight ends heavily. Still, Georgia couldn’t close despite an in-state advantage and multiple visits.

Even worse, UGA’s top 2026 tight end target, Camren Odom, has named Clemson, Michigan, and USC as his early favorites — Georgia didn’t even crack the top five.

For a program that prides itself on recruiting dominance, these defeats sting.

Tight End Room in 2025: An Unsettling Forecast

Looking ahead, Georgia’s tight end room is at a crossroads.

With Bowers gone, the top returning name is Oscar Delp, a highly-touted recruit from the 2022 class. Delp has flashed potential but struggled with consistency and injuries. He’ll be expected to take on a bigger role, but questions remain about his durability and blocking reliability.

Behind Delp are Lawson Luckie and Pierce Sperling, two talented young players who have shown promise in practice but are untested on a big stage. There’s depth, but not a clear successor to Bowers in terms of game-breaking ability.

If Georgia fails to land elite tight ends in this current cycle, it may be forced to adapt its offensive identity. Instead of featuring the tight end, the Bulldogs could pivot more heavily to wide receivers — a sharp shift from the Bowers-Washington era.

Todd Hartley’s Magic Running Dry?

Tight ends coach Todd Hartley has been one of the unsung heroes of Georgia’s recruiting machine. Known for his energy, passion, and tireless work ethic, Hartley was largely responsible for flipping Bowers from the West Coast and building a tight end room that could rival any in the country.

But even Hartley’s charisma may not be enough in today’s recruiting climate.

Several recruits have expressed concern that Georgia’s offense may not prioritize the tight end post-Bowers. Others are intrigued by more pass-happy systems where tight ends line up wide and command high target shares. In many of these conversations, Hartley’s pitch — once bulletproof — is being met with cautious skepticism.

The NIL Conundrum

Another complicating factor is NIL.

Tight ends, while crucial to game plans, don’t always receive the same NIL attention as quarterbacks or wide receivers. But as more programs get aggressive with their NIL offerings for specific positions, Georgia’s tight end targets are getting eye-popping figures from schools like Texas, USC, and even Nebraska.

While Georgia has a strong NIL infrastructure, they’ve focused their big deals on cornerstone positions like QB, edge rusher, and cornerback. For some tight end recruits, that signals that their financial ceiling might be higher elsewhere.

Kirby Smart’s Reaction: Pressure Mounting

Kirby Smart has never been one to panic publicly, but privately, there’s pressure building.

Smart is aware that Georgia’s offensive identity has been deeply intertwined with the success of its tight ends. If that pipeline dries up, it doesn’t just impact one position — it alters the entire offensive dynamic. Smart also understands how tight end versatility creates matchup nightmares that win championships.

Sources close to the program say the Bulldogs are re-evaluating their approach — both from a recruiting and schematic standpoint. Expect more aggressive in-home visits this summer, increased NIL packages for tight end targets, and a potential shift in offensive philosophy that promises more early touches for TEs.

A Glimmer of Hope?

All isn’t lost. Georgia still has elite facilities, a proven track record, and the SEC prestige that sells itself. There’s still time to flip tight end targets, especially as summer visits and official visits heat up.

The Bulldogs are also in play for Kaden Richards, a high four-star tight end from North Carolina who is set to visit Athens this month. Richards is considered a more traditional in-line blocker with soft hands — a perfect fit for Georgia’s offense. If Hartley can close that deal and land another athletic body from the portal, the room could be back in strong shape by 2026.

Moreover, some within the Georgia staff believe that success on the field — particularly if Delp has a breakout season — could reignite interest among hesitant recruits.

 A Wake-Up Call in Athens

Georgia’s tight end legacy under Kirby Smart is secure — but its future is in doubt.

The Bulldogs are learning that dominance at a position doesn’t last forever. In today’s recruiting world, NIL, scheme flexibility, and early playing time often outweigh tradition. The competition has intensified, and Georgia is facing real headwinds.

If the Bulldogs want to maintain their status as “Tight End U,” they’ll need to adapt quickly. That means reevaluating how they feature the position, doubling down on high school relationships, and sweetening the pot in NIL negotiations.

For now, the recruiting trail has delivered a sobering message: Georgia’s grip on elite tight end talent is slipping.

Whether they can recover — or watch others take their throne — will define the next phase of Kirby Smart’s offensive era.