The Georgia Bulldogs are moving through their SEC schedule and getting prepared for a big game each and every week, but while the fans are focused on the product on the field, the staff is trying to land the next generation of stars as well.

On the recruiting trail, things are always contested, and after a class of 2027 that was really just okay by Georgia standards, things do not get any easier for 2028. After getting off to a decent start though, Kirby Smart and the staff landed a huge name this week, and they did it over two of their most hated Rivals.

As reported by Hayes Fawcett first, four-star in-state safety Nick Carroll out of Toombs County High School in Lyons announced his decision to commit to the Dawgs over the Florida Gators, Tennessee Volunteers and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Nick Carroll Chooses Georgia Over Florida, Georgia Tech, Others

BREAKING: Four-Star Safety Nick Carroll has Committed to Georgia, he tells me for @Rivals
The 5’11 185 S from Lyons, GA chose the Bulldogs over Florida and Tennessee
He’s ranked as a Top 65 Recruit in the 2028 Rivals Industry Rankings 🐶https://t.co/IkD57Zfgcdpic.twitter.com/mRjBEQa1r7

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) October 8, 2026

Carroll becomes the third commitment in the 2028 Bulldogs class so far here early in the process, joining No. 1 quarterback Jayden Wade and four-star tight end Asa Wall for a very strong start to the class.

One of the best safeties in the nation, Carroll's commitment at this time comes as a little bit of a surprise and it's still a very long way until signing day, so in today's day and age Georgia will still unquestionably have to hold onto him. With that being said, he seems to be a prospect that clearly has a lot of love for his home state program and the powerhouse of the area he grew up.

Smart has made a habit of locking down the borders and keeping the elite players in the state at home, and Carroll is just the latest example.

What Kind of Skillset Carroll Will Bring to Georgia

According to 247 rankings, Carroll is a top-50 player in the entire country as well as a top-five safety and top-five player in the elite talent rich state of Georgia. He is certainly undersized standing at just 5-foot-10 and weighing 170 pounds and will likely have some work to do in the weight room, but he would hardly be the first undersized playmaker in an SEC secondary.

With experience on both sides of the ball, the athleticism is an obvious instant standout trait here, and Carroll could wind up having a future at the nickel position locking down opposing slot receivers. Regardless, clearly the staff like the profile of Carroll and believe he can be a key future piece of this defense.