Georgia’s 2027 recruiting class is already shaping up to be one of the stronger starts in recent memory-but there’s still a key piece missing: a quarterback. And while the Bulldogs haven’t shown their cards just yet when it comes to signal-callers in this cycle, a new in-state name just hit the market, and it could be exactly the kind of opportunity Kirby Smart and his staff have been waiting for.
On Monday, DJ Hunter-a 6-foot-2, 200-pound quarterback out of Buford, Georgia-announced that he’s decommitted from Kentucky. Hunter had been pledged to the Wildcats since April 2025, but now finds himself back on the board. And for Georgia, that’s a development worth paying close attention to.
Hunter is rated as a three-star prospect and currently sits as the No. 597 player nationally, according to the 247Sports composite. He’s also ranked the No. 41 quarterback in the 2027 class and the No. 67 player in the state of Georgia. So while he’s not yet a household name in recruiting circles, there’s enough potential here to warrant a deeper look-especially for a program like Georgia that’s still weighing its QB options for this class.
Right now, Hunter holds offers from just three schools: Kentucky, Ole Miss, and South Florida. That’s a relatively light offer sheet for a prospect from a powerhouse high school like Buford, but it also means there’s room for a major program to step in and change the conversation.
And if Georgia decides to throw its hat into the ring? That would be a game-changer.
Here’s where things get interesting for the Bulldogs. Georgia already has the top-ranked quarterback in the 2028 class committed, which complicates how they approach the 2027 cycle.
Bringing in a high-profile QB a year before another elite talent arrives can create tension in the depth chart-and elite quarterbacks know it. That makes landing another five-star in 2027 a tough sell.
That’s where a player like Hunter could fit perfectly into Georgia’s long-term plans. He’s a local product, he has solid tools, and he’s not carrying the same national spotlight as some of the top-tier quarterbacks in the class. That could make him more willing to develop in a system like Georgia’s, knowing he’d be competing but also growing under a staff that’s produced NFL-ready talent year after year.
As of now, there’s been no public indication that Georgia has reached out to Hunter. But recruiting moves fast-especially when a quarterback with upside suddenly becomes available in your own backyard. If Kirby Smart and his staff decide to extend an offer, it’s not hard to imagine Georgia instantly jumping to the top of Hunter’s list.
And for a program that’s already building a strong foundation in 2027, adding a quarterback like Hunter could be the kind of smart, strategic move that pays off down the line.