Rivals100 EDGE Khamari Brooks Shocks Recruiting World, Commits to Georgia Bulldogs Over Alabama Crimson Tide

The Georgia Bulldogs have done it again on the recruiting trail, this time landing one of the most coveted defensive prospects in the country. Rivals100 EDGE rusher Khamari Brooks announced his commitment to Georgia, choosing the Bulldogs over fierce competition from Alabama and several other national powers. It’s a massive recruiting win for Kirby Smart and his defensive staff, who continue to stockpile elite talent for the future of their already dominant defense.

Brooks, rated as one of the top EDGE defenders in the 2026 recruiting class, had been a priority target for Alabama, Georgia, and several SEC rivals for over a year. Hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, Brooks’ recruitment naturally evolved into a heated battle between the two SEC titans: Georgia and Alabama. Despite Alabama’s proximity, history of producing elite pass rushers, and the allure of playing under head coach Kalen DeBoer, Brooks opted to leave his home state for Athens.

In his commitment video released Tuesday afternoon, Brooks expressed his belief in Georgia’s developmental system, championship culture, and defensive identity as the key reasons behind his decision. “I’ve prayed on this, talked with my family, and at the end of the day, Georgia feels like home,” Brooks said. “They develop guys like me. They compete for championships. And when I look at Coach Smart and that defense, I know that’s where I belong.”

For Georgia, Brooks’ commitment is about much more than adding another star name to the class. At 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, Brooks possesses the prototypical build and athleticism that Smart covets in his outside linebackers and hybrid EDGE defenders. His explosive first step, ability to bend around the edge, and relentless motor have made him a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks throughout his high school career at Birmingham’s Parker High School.

Scouts rave about Brooks’ upside, calling him one of the most complete EDGE prospects in recent memory. His combination of size, speed, and technical refinement at such a young age has drawn comparisons to former Georgia star Nolan Smith, who helped anchor the Bulldogs’ national championship defense in 2021 and 2022 before becoming a first-round NFL Draft pick.

“Khamari Brooks is the real deal,” said Rivals national recruiting analyst Adam Gorney. “He’s got elite burst, he uses his hands well, he plays with discipline, and he can set the edge just as well as he can rush the passer. There’s a reason both Alabama and Georgia went all-in for him. He’s going to make an early impact.”

Brooks’ recruitment had been trending toward Alabama for much of the spring. With the Crimson Tide undergoing a coaching transition following Nick Saban’s retirement, new head coach Kalen DeBoer made keeping in-state stars like Brooks a top priority. Alabama fans had long considered Brooks a likely addition to their 2026 class, especially given the school’s reputation for producing elite pass rushers, from Will Anderson Jr. to Dallas Turner.

However, Georgia’s persistence, relationships, and consistent on-field success ultimately swayed Brooks. Smart, alongside defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann and outside linebackers coach Chidera Uzo-Diribe, cultivated a strong bond with Brooks and his family. That connection, combined with Georgia’s recent dominance in producing NFL-ready defenders, proved too much for Alabama to overcome.

Georgia’s defensive track record speaks for itself. Over the past three NFL Draft cycles, the Bulldogs have seen a parade of defensive stars selected in the early rounds, including Jalen Carter, Travon Walker, Nakobe Dean, Jordan Davis, and Nolan Smith. For a player like Brooks, who dreams of making it to the NFL, Georgia’s proven development pipeline was a major selling point.

“It’s not just hype over there,” Brooks explained. “You see guys like Nolan Smith, Travon Walker, and others getting better, dominating college football, and then becoming first-rounders. That’s the blueprint I want to follow.”

This commitment is a significant statement from Georgia on multiple fronts. Not only did the Bulldogs secure an elite defensive talent, but they also did so by going into Alabama’s backyard and winning a direct recruiting battle with the Crimson Tide. For years, Georgia and Alabama have battled for supremacy both on the field and on the recruiting trail, and Brooks’ decision represents another victory for Kirby Smart in that ongoing rivalry.

It also reflects the growing influence Georgia has across the Southeast and nationally. Once viewed as a regional power, Georgia has become a recruiting juggernaut, routinely landing elite prospects from coast to coast. Brooks becomes the latest out-of-state star to buy into Smart’s vision, joining a 2026 class that is shaping up as one of the best in the country.

The Bulldogs’ 2026 class already features several top-ranked players, including five-star quarterback Carter Iverson and standout linebacker Malik Griggs. With Brooks now in the fold, Georgia has further solidified its defensive future and sent a clear message to the rest of college football: the Bulldogs aren’t slowing down.

Rivals ranks Brooks as the No. 21 overall prospect in the nation and the No. 3 EDGE rusher in the 2026 cycle. His commitment not only boosts Georgia’s team ranking but also provides an immediate recruiting ripple effect. Several other elite defenders considering Georgia, including top-ranked defensive tackle Preston Willis and five-star safety Jamari Daniels, have noted Brooks’ decision as a positive sign.

“It’s huge when you see a guy like Khamari commit to Georgia,” said Daniels, who has Georgia, LSU, and Ohio State in his top three. “It shows they’re stacking talent and building something special. I’ve been watching them closely, and this makes you look even harder.”

From a football standpoint, Brooks projects as an ideal fit for Georgia’s versatile, aggressive defensive scheme. His ability to play standing up or with his hand in the dirt gives Schumann and Uzo-Diribe flexibility in how they deploy him. Analysts believe Brooks could make an early impact as a situational pass rusher before blossoming into a full-time defensive leader by his sophomore season.

“Khamari is polished beyond his years,” added Gorney. “But what makes him scary is how much room he still has to grow. Under Georgia’s staff, he’s only going to get better, and we might be talking about him as a future first-round pick in a few years.”

As for Alabama, Brooks’ decision stings, but the Crimson Tide will undoubtedly continue to recruit the EDGE position aggressively. DeBoer and his staff have already landed several blue-chip defenders in the 2026 class, but missing out on Brooks represents a reminder of the intense recruiting battles that define life in the SEC.

For Georgia, however, the news is all positive. The Bulldogs add another future star to their defensive front, maintain their recruiting momentum, and once again demonstrate their ability to win head-to-head battles against their biggest rivals. In the process, they’ve secured one of the most disruptive defenders in the country—a player poised to terrorize opposing offenses for years to come.

As Brooks concluded in his announcement: “I’m ready to be part of the Georgia legacy. It’s time to get to work. Go Dawgs!”