Kirby Smart's staff has major momentum for 4-star Georgia LB target

Always be 'crootin'. It is the name of the game in major college football. Although the dawn of NIL and the transfer portal has afforded more and more teams opportunities to have a seat at the big table, the traditional powers like Georgia continue to clean up on the recruiting trails with impressive high school talent. While there is work to be done on the 2026 class, Georgia has its eyes on 2027 already.

Rivals' Steve Wiltfong provided the latest intel on 2027 four-star linebacker Ja'Bois Smith. He recently made a visit to Athens and said, "I love Georgia's coaching staff." According to the 247Sports Composite, Smith is the No. 5 linebacker in his class, the No. 15 overall player from Georgia and the No. 95 player nationally in the 2027 recruiting cycle. Smith has 19 offers at this stage of the game.

Right now, it seems like Georgia could conceivably have the upper hand with the Swainsboro star.

Outside of Georgia, Smith has offers from teams like Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Michigan, Mississippi State, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt and West Virginia in the Power Four. While Georgia is a highly-contested recruiting ground, Swainsboro is roughly halfway between Atlanta and Savannah. South Carolina has some pull there...

Here is why Smith saying great things about Georgia's coaching staff is huge for the Dawgs' chances.

Kirby Smart has to love that Ja'Bois Smith loves his UGA coaching staff

The fact Smith is a defensive player in-state and ranked inside the top 100 in his class means he checks everybody that Kirby Smart could want out of a recruit. Smart and his staff do recruit nationally, but any time they can get a homegrown player to come to Athens helps build up what this program is based upon. If you are a superstar player in Georgia, you should want to come to Georgia.

The other big thing here is Smith seems to still be in the early feeling out process with all of these coaching staffs. He will get more offers, but having his home state's flagship being very interested in him this soon indicates he may be a priority in the 2027 cycle. Right now, Georgia is not the same team it once was on defense. It is in part because so many top-flight recruits have left in the portal.

While early playing time could be a plus, it is not more important than ever to win big in recruiting with the best players in your state. Yes, schools from outside of Georgia's borders love to come in and poach top-tier talent. However, the emotional ties to the Dawgs, fabricated or not, can help keep players committed to the G for as long as possible. The fact Georgia Tech is rising makes it a priority.

For now, the vibes seem to be good about Smith's chances of committing to Georgia at some point.