Top RB Prospect Kemon Spell Commits to Georgia, Spurning Hometown Favorite Penn State
Kemon Spell, the top-ranked running back in the 2027 class and one of the most coveted recruits in the country, has made his decision - and it's a big win for Georgia. The five-star back out of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, announced his commitment to the Bulldogs following a weekend visit to Athens, choosing Kirby Smart’s program over a loaded list of finalists that included Penn State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Miami.
At 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds, Spell has the kind of build and burst that coaches dream about. He’s not just the No.
1 RB in the class across all major recruiting sites - he’s also ranked as the No. 3 overall player in the nation and the top prospect out of Pennsylvania. Simply put, this is the kind of player who can tilt the balance of power in a recruiting cycle.
For Georgia, this is another major statement on the recruiting trail. The Bulldogs continue to stack elite talent, and landing Spell only reinforces their grip as one of the premier destinations for blue-chip offensive weapons. With his blend of power, vision, and next-level acceleration, Spell projects as a future difference-maker in the SEC - the kind of back who can take over games and keep defensive coordinators up at night.
But while Georgia celebrates, there’s no sugarcoating what this means for Penn State. This one stings - and not just because Spell is a five-star.
This was a local kid from Western Pennsylvania, a region the Nittany Lions have traditionally mined with great success. Spell even grew up a Penn State fan and had previously committed to the program before the start of his sophomore year.
That commitment held for over a year, even as his national profile skyrocketed. But everything shifted when James Franklin was fired. Spell de-committed shortly after the coaching change, and although there was optimism that new head coach Matt Campbell and his staff could reel him back in - with several national recruiting insiders predicting a re-commitment - Georgia ultimately won the race.
It’s worth noting: the recruiting calendar is far from over. Early signing day is still more than 10 months away, and the late period extends even further.
In today’s college football landscape, commitments can be fluid, and nothing is official until the ink is dry. But as it stands, Spell is heading south, and Penn State is still looking for its first commitment of the 2027 class under Campbell.
For a program trying to establish momentum in a new era, losing out on a player like Spell - especially one from their own backyard - is a tough early blow. Terry Smith, Penn State’s associate head coach and longtime WPIAL figure, has been instrumental in building the program’s pipeline into Western PA. This time, though, the in-state ties and early relationship weren’t enough to keep Spell home.
Georgia, meanwhile, continues to flex its recruiting muscle. Adding a player of Spell’s caliber only strengthens their future backfield and sends a clear message to the rest of the country: the Bulldogs aren’t just maintaining their standard - they’re raising it.