Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and his staff have turned their attention to the 2027 recruiting class, with wide receiver standing out as a key need for the program.
While the Bulldogs added former Georgia Tech wideout Isiah Canion through the Transfer Portal, Georgia is left with just eight receivers on the roster for 2026 as of now which is plenty for the season ahead, but they have some work to improve the room for the future.
Georgia has locked in on new WR target
One target the staff would like to add in this cycle is Amare Patterson from Bluffton High School. He has a strong connection to the program as his cousin, KJ Bolden, has started for the Dawgs over the past two seasons. Patterson is from Ridgeland, South Carolina, located about an hour from Summerville, the hometown of Georgia icon A.J. Green.
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, Patterson is rated as a four-star wide receiver by ESPN, earning an 80 scout grade. He checks in at No. 251 nationally in the ESPN Jr300, ranks No. 31 at his position, No. 111 regionally, and No. 6 in South Carolina.
Back in June 2025, he announced on social media that he had received an offer from the Dawgs after working out with wide receivers coach James Coley and the rest of the staff.
“After a great workout with Georgia Football and Coach Coley, I’ve earned an offer from the University of Georgia.”
After a great workout with @GeorgiaFootball and @CoachColey i’ve earned and offer from University of Georgia @HaleMcGranahan @PHE_Athletics @RivalsWardlaw @adamgorney @ethanmmcdowell@HaleMcGranahan @buckfitz@jaxon_rose8 @ChadSimmons_@CalebSisk_ @Showcase_Keith pic.twitter.com/DGQuCOhzyS
— Amare “AP” Patterson 4⭐️WR (@AmarePatterson) June 18, 2025
The junior wide receiver last visited Athens during Georgia’s 24–21 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide, a defeat that snapped the Bulldogs’ 33-game home winning streak and marked their first home loss in six years.
Even though Patterson returned to the Classic City for a visit on Friday, Smart traveled to South Carolina last Tuesday to see him in person. Coley also visited Patterson at his home last week, giving him the opportunity to share his thoughts on their relationship.
“He was basically just telling me that I am the guy for his program,” Patterson told On3Sports’ and UGASports.com's Lance McCulley following the visit. “He likes my size and physique, and how much ball knowledge I’ve got, and how fast I am.”
Amare Patterson is the perfect addition for Georgia
Bluffton featured one of the most productive offenses in the Palmetto State last season, with Patterson playing a key role in the Bobcats’ success. He finished second on the team in receiving yards, behind North Carolina signee Carnell Warren.
Patterson recorded 51 receptions for 912 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also adding 136 rushing yards on 11 carries. He lined up at multiple wide receiver positions and projects as an X or Z option at the next level.
The four-star junior is scheduled to announce his commitment on July 25, but he plans to return to Athens at least three more times before then which included a visit this weekend, another in the spring, and an official visit in June. Here is what he had to say about Smart’s track record of developing players in a quote captured by UGA Football Live’s Eric Taylor.
“He’s all about winning, and he’s going to get players to the next level,” Patterson said of Smart. “Like I said, I want to play at the next level. He’s developed players and produced multiple first-rounders, so that was really big for me—seeing other guys who came from the same background as me become first-round picks.”