Always be recruiting. Kirby Smart and his Georgia Bulldogs staff are well aware of that old cliche. One of the things that has served Smart and his staff in the transfer portal era is them never burning any bridges with a prospective recruiting target who picks to go play somewhere else out of high school. If things do not work out at their former school, there is almost always an opportunity to come back.
One such player the Bulldogs should be in on is Tavion Wallace, who plans to enter the portal soon.
On3's Hayes Fawcett was all over the former Appling County star's intentions to leave Arkansas.
BREAKING: Arkansas true freshman LB Tavion Wallace plans to enter the @TransferPortal, he tells @On3Sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 11, 2025
The 6’1 240 LB will have 3 years of eligibility left
Was one of the Top LBs in the 2025 Classhttps://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/MqtTCxWnba
According to the 247Sports Composite, Wallace was the No. 24 player from Georgia, the No. 20 linebacker in his class, and the No. 180 overall recruit in the 2025 cycle. Wallace had 24 offers out of high school, ultimately picking Arkanas over Florida, Florida State, and Georgia. Keep in mind that he is from part of the state where Florida and Florida State naturally have a strong pull on its top players.
With Sam Pittman out in Fayetteville, it would not be shocking to see Wallace transfer over to Georgia.
Why Georgia stands a phenomenal chance of landing Tavion Wallace
As is the case with former Clemson Tigers star safety Khalil Barnes, any time a player who hails from Georgia who may have fallen through the cracks in his recruitment the last time around hits the portal, Smart and his staff are usually all over it. No, this does not guarantee that either Barnes, Wallace, or any prospective recruit for that matter is surely coming to Georgia because of state ties.
However, the fact that players like Barnes and Wallace were recruited out of high school by Georgia does give them at least a solid connection to the staff. Not only is Smart still there, but so is defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann. Barring something unforeseen, he will be returning to Athens for yet another season. The coaching carousel may reopen because of Michigan, but he is not a candidate.
Overall, the chances of Georgia potentially landing Wallace out of the portal, should he choose to enter it, are exceedingly high. This is because his former head coach in Pittman was one of Smart's best known assistants back in the day. Pittman may be out at Arkansas, but he still carries a ton of clout for his time at Georgia. If Wallace was from a northern part of the state, this might be a lock.
In the end, Wallace, and every player who intends to enter the transfer portal for that matter, must make the right decision for himself and his family. The fact that Wallace played several states away from his native Georgia could make a potential homecoming enticing. We also have to remember that Florida and Florida State are not terribly far away either. UF has a new staff, while FSU may after 2026.
Because of the head-coaching stability that Smart provides, Georgia can remain an easy portal sell.