“I get to stay home and play for it”: 4-star safety Jontae Gilbert commits to Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs for a special reason

By Maliha

Modified Aug 11, 2024 12:28 GMT

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Four-star cornerback Jontae Gilbert announced his commitment to Georgia's 2025 recruiting class on Saturday. He had previously pledged to Ohio State and later decided to reopen his recruitment before ultimately choosing the Bulldogs.

Gilbert's decision followed multiple visits to Athens in late May, mid-June and late July.

“I always wanted to stay home, be a hometown hero and there is nowhere better to do that than Georgia," Gilbert told On3. "Georgia is a top program and I get to stay home and play for it. It is hard to get better than that.”

Earlier in the year, South Carolina and Clemson were strong contenders for the 6-foot-1, 187-pound Gilbert's commitment, with the Gamecocks leading at one point. However, his official visit to Georgia convinced him that Athens was the right place for his future.

A key factor in Gilbert's decision was the relationship he built with Bulldogs defensive backs coach Donte Williams. They had developed a connection during the coach's time at USC, where he had been recruiting Gilbert heavily. Gilbert also had heavy praise for coach Kirby Smart's competitive mindset and commitment to winning.

“He wants to win," Gilbert said. "He recruits guys that want to work and win. At Georgia, I get to play for the best and battle against the best every day. We will all have the same mindset there and I love that.”

Jontae Gilbert joins a strong defensive back class at Georgia, which includes fellow four-star prospects Shamari Earls, Todd Robinson, Jaylan Morgan and Rashad Johnson. With 23 players already committed, Georgia's 2025 class is ranked No. 4 nationally and No. 3 in the SEC.

What does Jontae Gilbert bring to Georgia?

As a cornerback, Jontae Gilbert is recognized for his defensive skills, especially his upside as a run defender. According to Andrew Ivins, 247Sports’ director of scouting, the prospect has shown promise in getting off blocks and making impactful plays against the run. His abilities have earned him high praise from Corey Elesby, defensive coordinator and recruiting liaison at Douglass High.

Gilbert ranks as the No. 257 overall prospect in the 2025 class, the No. 25 cornerback in the nation and the No. 32 player in Georgia, according to On3. 247Sports places him as the No. 140 overall prospect in the class, the No. 19 cornerback in the nation and the No. 19 player in the state.

During his junior year, Jontae Gilbert played both defensive back and wide receiver. He accumulated 54 tackles, two pass breakups and an interception, contributing to his team's playoff run in Georgia’s AAA classification, which earned him all-region honors. He also excels in running track in high school.