“Kirby Smart Strikes Again? Georgia Bulldogs Shockingly in Final Mix for Elite Defensive Recruit as Official Visits Heat Up”

In the high-stakes world of college football recruiting, few names carry more weight than Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs. With back-to-back national championships under his belt and a perennial top-three recruiting class, Smart has turned Athens into a defensive factory and a launchpad to the NFL. Still, even with that pedigree, it caught many by surprise when Georgia surged into the final group for one of the most coveted defensive recruits in the 2025 class—just as official visits begin to shape the recruiting landscape.

The player at the center of this latest recruiting drama is Zy’marion Langston, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound edge rusher out of DeSoto High School in Texas. Ranked as the No. 2 edge in the nation and a top-10 overall prospect by multiple recruiting services, Langston possesses a rare blend of power, speed, and finesse. He’s the kind of player who garners comparisons to former Georgia greats like Travon Walker and Nolan Smith—and he’s been long assumed to be a Texas or SEC West lock.

For months, Langston’s recruitment seemed like a two-horse race between Texas and Alabama, with Oklahoma lurking. But this week, the trajectory shifted in a major way when Langston confirmed Georgia as one of his final four schools, alongside Texas, Alabama, and USC. Even more surprising? Georgia has secured one of his five official visit slots, scheduled for early June.

In a recent interview with 247Sports, Langston admitted that Georgia wasn’t initially on his radar—until recently.

“Coach Smart and Coach Chidera [Uzo-Diribe] made it impossible to ignore what Georgia’s doing on defense. I’d be crazy not to at least take a visit and see it for myself.”

That comment alone set off a flurry of excitement in the Bulldog fanbase. For a recruit of Langston’s caliber to not only take Georgia seriously but to praise the coaching staff’s defensive development is a strong signal that Athens is now firmly in the mix.

Sources close to Langston’s family say Georgia’s persistent communication and detailed development plan have been key. “They didn’t just talk about the NFL pipeline—they broke it down film-by-film,” one source said. “Kirby Smart doesn’t pitch dreams. He pitches results.”

So why the late surge from Georgia in this recruitment?

First, the departure of defensive line coach Freddie Roach from Alabama—who reportedly had a strong relationship with Langston—created some instability. While Alabama remains a factor, Langston has admitted that he’s “reevaluating a few things” with their defensive staff.

Second, Georgia’s track record at developing NFL-ready edge defenders continues to speak volumes. With multiple former Bulldogs being selected in the first round in recent drafts—including Travon Walker going No. 1 overall—there’s a very tangible success story Langston can envision himself joining.

Third, and perhaps most crucially, Uzo-Diribe has become one of the most respected assistant coaches in the country. He’s young, energetic, connects well with recruits, and can point directly to his work with current NFL players like Nolan Smith and current UGA stars like Mykel Williams.

At Georgia, Langston would be slotted into the Jack linebacker or stand-up edge role—a position tailor-made for his athleticism and pass-rushing skill set.

“He’s not just a pass rusher,” an SEC scout told On3. “He’s long, he can cover, he bends well around the edge, and he’s smart. Georgia loves guys like that. If he ends up there, he could be another top-10 pick.”

Langston has made it clear he wants to play in a scheme that allows him to showcase versatility, and Smart’s defense—known for hybrid fronts and complex pressures—offers exactly that.

“Kirby Smart wants guys who can wreck plays, not just fill space,” a former Georgia assistant told Rivals. “Langston fits that mold. He’s disruptive from the snap.”Langston’s official visit schedule is already packed:

• May 31–June 2: Alabama
• June 7–9: Georgia
• June 14–16: Texas
• June 21–23: USC

Each school is expected to roll out the red carpet, but Georgia’s weekend may prove pivotal. That’s the same weekend when several other top-tier defensive recruits will also be in town, giving the program a chance to show off its “iron sharpens iron” culture.

Langston is also said to be very close to fellow top-100 recruit and Georgia commit Zyion Thomas, a linebacker from Florida. Thomas is actively recruiting Langston on social media and will be present during his visit.

“Me and Zy got that bond,” Langston said. “We’re already talking about doing something special together.”

That type of peer recruiting cannot be underestimated.

Let’s be clear: this is still a recruitment that Alabama and Texas feel confident about. Both have established relationships, NIL infrastructure, and geographical advantages. USC, though a long shot, is in the mix thanks to its Los Angeles appeal and potential for immediate playing time.

Still, the momentum Georgia has built in just a matter of weeks cannot be ignored.

“They’ve gone from afterthought to legitimate contender,” said Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports. “That doesn’t happen by accident. That’s coaching staff synergy and a program with credibility.”

Georgia is also expected to host Langston’s mother and older brother—both of whom have a strong say in the decision. The family is reportedly intrigued by Georgia’s combination of elite development, academic support, and small-town feel in Athens.

It would be naive to ignore NIL in any top-tier recruitment in today’s landscape. Texas and USC are widely considered two of the most aggressive NIL programs in the country. Georgia, while more methodical, has built a strong NIL foundation through its Classic City Collective and strategic booster partnerships.

Sources suggest that while NIL will factor in, Langston’s family is prioritizing long-term development and NFL readiness over quick paydays.

“They know what’s at stake,” a close friend of the family said. “Zy’marion wants to be a first-round pick. He’s not chasing seven figures at 18—he’s chasing generational wealth.”

There’s a reason Georgia is in contention for Langston despite not being an early favorite: Kirby Smart’s machine is too powerful to ignore.

Since 2016, Smart’s defenses have finished in the top five nationally in most major categories, producing a staggering number of high-end NFL picks. From Roquan Smith to Jordan Davis to Jalen Carter, the Bulldogs consistently turn five-star potential into five-star performance.

And Smart’s personal involvement in defensive recruiting—especially at key positions like edge rusher—is often a turning point.

“Kirby’s one of the few head coaches who still sits in on every defensive meeting,” one assistant coach said. “He doesn’t delegate the defense—he lives it.”

With official visits just around the corner, Zy’marion Langston’s recruitment is officially wide open. Georgia’s late surge has added an unexpected twist to what many thought was a foregone conclusion. The Bulldogs now find themselves in rare position: chasing, yes—but chasing with momentum.