Georgia fans haven’t forgotten what happened last offseason. When Miami swooped in and landed quarterback Carson Beck-just as it looked like he was heading to the NFL-it stung.
Beck had spent five years in Athens, and his decision to transfer caught plenty of folks off guard. Then he led the Hurricanes all the way to the national title game.
It was a gut punch for the Bulldogs, no question.
Now, Georgia might be staring at a chance to flip the script.
This weekend, Athens is the epicenter of college football recruiting. The Bulldogs are hosting a massive Junior Day, and the guest list reads like a who’s who of elite talent. But one name stands out above the rest: Mark Matthews.
Matthews isn’t just a top recruit-he’s the guy. According to the 247Sports composite rankings, he’s the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2027 class and the top offensive tackle in the country. He’s also the best player in the state of Florida, which makes this even more intriguing.
Why? Because Miami currently leads in his recruitment.
That’s right-the Hurricanes, fresh off poaching Georgia’s starting quarterback last year, are now the front-runners for the most dominant offensive lineman in the next recruiting cycle. But Georgia has a shot to flip the narrative, and this weekend could be the start of that push.
Landing Matthews would be a massive win for Kirby Smart and his staff-not just because of the talent he brings, but because of what it would symbolize. This isn’t about payback for Beck (they’re two very different situations: Beck was a seasoned veteran; Matthews is still in high school). But this would be Georgia going into Miami’s backyard and pulling out a foundational piece for the future.
Matthews is the kind of player who can anchor an offensive line for years. He’s big, athletic, and technically polished beyond his age.
Plug him into Georgia’s system, and you’re talking about a potential All-American and future first-rounder. He’s that good.
The good news for Georgia? Matthews isn’t in a rush to commit.
That gives the Bulldogs time-time to build a relationship, time to sell the vision, time to make Athens feel like home. And if there’s one thing Kirby Smart’s staff has proven over the years, it’s that they know how to close.
This weekend could be the first step toward one of the biggest recruiting victories of the 2027 cycle. Georgia has the opportunity. Now it’s about making the most of it.