Georgia commit's 5-star rise is a major win for Bulldogs' 2026 future

When you recruit like the Georgia Bulldogs do under Kirby Smart, good things tend to happen when you least expect them to. Under Smart, Georgia has shown a unique ability at doing three things well in recruitment. It will protect its borders from out-of-state talent poachers. It will also put its best foot forward when it comes to pursuing some of the very best players in the country out-of-state as well.

But perhaps most importantly, Georgia puts its trust and belief into the recruiting process to get the players it wants, regardless of how many stars are attached to his name. Those things tend to work themselves out in the end. Georgia usually pursues four and five-stars, but it will occasionally look at guys who are not of that grade. When it really works out, a four-star can become a five-star for them.

Georgia just saw a prized offensive tackle commit in Ekene Ogboko get the five-star label from Rivals.

Ogboko comes in at No. 14 overall in the updated Rivals300 rankings entering the second half of the month. According to the 247Sports Composite, Ogboko is the No. 3 interior offensive lineman in his class, the No. 4 overall player from North Carolina and the No. 34 player nationally in the 2026 cycle. The Durham, North Carolina native has been committed to Georgia since June from South Garner.

No matter where a guy plays high school football, Georgia wants to remain dominant in the trenches.

Georgia 2026 OT commit Ekene Ogboko was elevated to 5-star status

For as much hype and excitement that surrounds recruiting skill-position players of note like quarterback, running back and wide receiver, who is going to block for them? While one could argue that defensive linemen are the most important recruits year in and year out in college football, great offensive linemen should be viewed as a close second. They help keep the quarterback on schedule.

Although Georgia is led by a defensive-minded head coach in Smart, he always puts a priority on having an effective running game. The former star safety at Georgia has spent some time coaching up running backs in his career. It all comes together for him. Georgia uses its great defense to stifle the opposition, while using a power running game to break their opponents' will down the stretch.

Ogboko will come to Athens with a ton of praise and lofty expectations. Then again, he probably knows what he has signed up for to come tee it up Between the Hedges for Coach Smart on fall Saturdays. One thing that should have him and Georgia fans excited is Mike Bobo will use freshmen up front on occasion to help keep the offense going. He does love to use different linemen rotations.

At this time, Dawg fans should be thrilled that they have another five-star to the 2026 recruiting class.