Georgia Picks Up Commit From Four-Star CB Jontae Gilbert

© Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Georgia Bulldogs added some depth to their future defense as four-star cornerback Jontae Gilbert committed to them on Aug. 10. Gilbert had North Carolina State, Georgia Tech and UCF also trying to lure him.

But his final decision leaned toward head coach Kirby Smart and his coaching staff. Gilbert, a 6-foot-1, 187-pounder who attends Douglass High School in Atlanta, stays in state for his college career.

Gilbert found himself ranked as the No. 16 cornerback in the nation for the 2025 recruiting cycle. He made a July recruiting trip to Athens, Ga., and it left a big impression on him.

Jontae Gilbert Speaks

“Coach Kirby Smart has been recruiting me himself and that showed me a lot,” Gilbert told On3’s Chad Simmons, according to DawgsHQ, “Then you have coach Donte Williams, coach T-Rob (Travaris Robinson) and coach Glemm Schumann involved, too. Georgia is a school in my backyard and it is a great program with a great defense. They have really made me feel like a priority.”

In sizing up his play, a recruiting report from 247Sports indicates Gilbert has been “viewed by some coaches as more of a safety on Saturdays, but might be best suited for an outside role in a physical snap-to-whistle cover scheme given what he has put on tape thus far as he’s not afraid to use his hands and squeeze vertical routes. Offers upside as a run defender as he works to get off blocks and get ball carries on the ground.”

In 2022, Gilbert excelled as a two-way play for Douglass at defensive back and wide receiver. He totaled 54 tackles and 1 interception.

Georgia Defense Looks Good

Looking at who the Bulldogs have right now, Daylen Everette, Julian Humphrey and Daniel Harris are patrolling the Georgia secondary. Georgia added five-star cornerbacks Ellis Robinson IV and Demello Jones from the 2024 class along with four-star Ondre Evans.

According to Rivals, Gilbert originally had committed to Ohio State, but he changed his mind. Smart will gladly add Gilbert to an already stacked defensive side of the ball. 

The Bulldogs also took the field on Saturday for a scrimmage. Smart and his players are getting ready for their season opener on Aug. 31 against Clemson in Atlanta. Don't be surprised if Georgia comes out like a house on fire. The team has a chip on its shoulder after finishing 13-1 overall and 8-0 in Southeastern Conference play. Georgia got some steam off in the Orange Bowl, though, clobbering Florida State 63-3.

Still, Smart knows how to use a national championship slight to his advantage. And Georgia fans will definitely want to see their team get revenge for a 34-27 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide last season.

Come back to College Football Dawgs this season for more news about the Georgia Bulldogs.