Kemon Spell isn’t leaving much room for doubt.
The top-ranked running back in the 2027 class pushed back on the latest wave of flip chatter with a simple five-word message: “This gotta stop. Go Dawgs.”
That came as other programs kept pressing hard behind the scenes, according to Rivals recruiting director Steve Wiltfong. USC, Penn State, and Virginia Tech are all still trying to pry Spell away from Georgia, even after his commitment to Kirby Smart and the reigning SEC champion Bulldogs.
Spell, who is from the Pittsburgh area, originally committed to Penn State and James Franklin as a sophomore. He later flipped to Georgia in February after Franklin was fired and Penn State went through a sudden regime change.
The Penn State connection helps explain why the Nittany Lions are still involved, with new coach Matt Campbell trying to show he can hold onto elite five-star talent from inside the state. Virginia Tech’s push also makes sense, with Franklin now the head coach there and hoping to use his past success with the country’s top-ranked rusher.
USC is in the mix too. The Trojans sit No. 16 nationally in the 2027 recruiting class, according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, and already have one running back commit in No. 36 back Javon Vital. They’re looking for a centerpiece in the backfield, and Spell clearly fits the bill.
But for now, Georgia has the edge, and the money being thrown around hasn’t changed that. Insiders estimate Spell is set to make about $1 million when he gets to college, though other programs reportedly offered even more. Even seven-figure pitches haven’t been enough to move him.
“I could’ve gotten more money from other places, but I picked Georgia for the reasons that I want to get to the NFL and I’ll be coached by the best guy each and every day,” Spell said recently.
Spell remains the consensus No. 1 player at his position in the country, according to an industry weighted average of expert recruiting opinion. He’s viewed as a compact, powerful runner with a low center of gravity, strong legs, elusiveness in traffic, and elite yards after contact potential.
That profile is exactly why the chase has continued. And it’s also why Georgia is happy to hear Spell say the noise needs to stop.
In Other News...
Oregon Suddenly Faces A Bigger Dante Moore Question Than Just His Injury
Oregons quarterback situation took a sharp turn after Dante Moore was hurt on a targeting play and taken to the hospital, but Dan Lannings update offered at least some immediate reassurance. Lanning said Moore is healthy and still being evaluated, though the Ducks have not announced any timetable for his return. In the meantime, the offense did not stall, with backup Dylan Raiola stepping in and helping lead Oregon to a win after the injury.
Now the bigger question is not only when Moore will be back, but how Oregon manages the next stretch if it has to plan around both quarterbacks. Raiola has already shown he can keep the Ducks moving, and the staff is preparing for upcoming games with that reality in mind. For a team with its sights set on staying on schedule, the uncertainty at quarterback is becoming more than a short-term injury update. [Read more 🡒]
USC Faces One Big Problem Ahead Of Crucial Washington Game
The No. 18 Trojans return to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 3 for a meeting with Washington that already carries a little extra weight, even at this point in the season. USC is 4-1 and favored by 8.5 points at DraftKings Sportsbook, but the matchup comes with a familiar kind of October concern: the health of the receiver room. Trent Mosley and Corey Simms are among the injury question marks, leaving the Trojans to sort through depth and timing as they prepare for a conference test on NBC.
Washington brings its own challenge in quarterback Demond Williams Jr., whose passing and rushing production have made the Huskies a difficult team to settle down. For USC, the issue is not just whether it can protect its home field, but whether it can do so while navigating a short-handed offense against a team capable of turning the game into a track meet. The Trojans have the edge on paper, but the next step in this season may depend on how much of their playmaking cast is actually available when kickoff arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Mike Norvell Just Entered A Florida State Debate Fans Dread
Lincoln Riley, Mike Norvell and Shane Beamer all find themselves in a similar spot this fall, with each coach feeling the heat after uneven starts and a schedule that could turn quickly on them. For USC fans, the attention naturally circles back to Riley, whose hefty buyout and recent losses keep every stumble under a microscope. Around the same time, Florida State has its own unease building as Norvell tries to steady a 2-2 start while the Seminoles stare at a brutal October stretch.
Pete Nakos laid out how quickly the pressure can shift from concern to conversation about bigger changes, and Florida States situation is the one that has begun to draw the most uneasy chatter. The Seminoles are already being linked in some corners to thoughts of a familiar face, while Norvells path through the next few weeks could decide whether the noise stays background buzz or becomes something far more serious. [Read more 🡒]