Zech Fort isn’t just another name in Georgia’s latest recruiting haul-he’s a tone-setter. The Long Beach, California native, who sharpened his skills at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, is bringing a physical edge to a Bulldogs secondary that’s getting a serious facelift.
Fort, a four-star safety, chose Georgia over a stacked list of suitors, including Alabama, Florida, Florida State, and Notre Dame. That’s not just a win on the recruiting trail-it’s a statement.
Fort joins a loaded incoming group of safeties, headlined by fellow four-stars Blake Stewart (Woodward Academy, Atlanta) and Jordan Smith (Houston County, Warner Robins), along with a pair of experienced transfers: Khalil Barnes from Clemson and Ja’Marley Riddle from ECU. It’s clear Georgia is restocking the shelves with a mix of young talent and proven collegiate experience-and Fort fits right into that blueprint.
At 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds, Fort brings a compact, muscular frame that translates to a hard-hitting, box safety style. He’s not just out there to make tackles-he’s looking to make statements.
As a junior at IMG, he posted 36 tackles, four for loss, one sack, one interception, and a pass breakup. But the real eye-opener came earlier in his career: in 2022, as a freshman, Fort was named a team captain-an unprecedented move at IMG.
That year, he logged 17 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack. Leadership and production?
Check and check.
Fort’s decision to commit to Georgia came down to more than just prestige-it was about fit. “Coach (Kirby) Smart, with what he's done with the program... it's a winning program,” Fort explained.
“He played safety at Georgia, so why not have him teach me how to play the position because he played it?” That kind of alignment-between player identity and coaching pedigree-is what makes Georgia such an attractive landing spot for defensive backs.
And Fort isn’t just talking about Kirby. He also pointed to the development track record of defensive backs coach Donte Williams and safeties coach Travaris Robinson, both of whom have a history of sending safeties to the NFL.
“Each year you see Georgia safeties getting drafted in the first, second round,” Fort said. He’s not wrong-and he’s betting on becoming the next in line.
So what exactly is Georgia getting in Fort? According to scouting evaluations, he’s a box safety who thrives in physical matchups.
He’s a plus tackler with the instincts to diagnose plays quickly and the toughness to finish them. He’s not afraid to stick his nose in the gaps, shed blocks, and bring down ball carriers with authority.
He’s also got a flair for takeaways-ripping at the ball in pursuit and jumping routes in zone coverage.
He may not have elite deep-third range, which might limit his role as a true centerfield safety, but that’s not a knock-it’s about fit. Fort projects as a high-floor, technically-sound defensive back who can thrive near the line of scrimmage, especially in nickel packages. He’s the kind of player who can hang with tight ends and running backs in man coverage underneath while delivering big hits in run support.
And here’s something that can’t be overlooked: Fort is a rare four-year starter at IMG Academy, one of the most competitive prep football environments in the country. That means he’s not just physically ready-he’s mentally seasoned. He’s seen top-tier talent every day in practice and knows what it takes to compete at the next level.
Ranked as the No. 23 safety in the country and the No. 33 overall prospect in Florida, Fort brings both pedigree and polish to Athens. He’s not a project-he’s a plug-and-play piece who could carve out a role early, especially in sub-packages where his physicality and instincts shine.
Georgia’s defense has built its identity on toughness, versatility, and depth. Zech Fort checks all those boxes.
He’s not just joining a loaded safety room-he’s coming in ready to contribute, and he’s got the mindset and skill set to make an impact in Kirby Smart’s system. Keep an eye on this one.
Fort might not be the flashiest name in the class, but he’s the kind of player who shows up on Saturdays and makes his presence felt-loud and clear.