Kirby Smart's Georgia flips 2026 class 4-star CB Dominick Kelly from USC: Reports

By Maliha

Modified Jul 30, 2024 11:23 GMT

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The Georgia Bulldogs have successfully flipped four-star cornerback Dominick Kelly from USC. The prospect initially committed to the Trojans in March before announcing his decision to switch his commitment to the Bulldogs on Monday evening.

Kelly's initial commitment to USC was heavily influenced by his former high school coach, Mike Williams, who now serves as USC’s Director of Player Development. Despite this connection, Kelly decided to change his allegiance. In an interview with On3’s Steve Wiltfong, Kelly explained his decision:

“I am committing to the program that I believe fits me best as a cornerback."

Kelly possesses a solid frame and impressive speed, enabling him to effectively cover quick receivers. Last season, he recorded 24 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack and eight pass deflections.

Dominick Kelly is ranked as the No. 20 cornerback in the nation, the No. 30 recruit in Florida and the No. 181 overall prospect in the 2026 class, according to On3. 247Sports ranks him as the No. 20 cornerback in the nation, the No. 48 recruit in Florida and the No. 236 overall prospect in the class.

USC and UGA rivalry fuels up with Dominick Kelly's decommitment

The rivalry between USC and Georgia has taken another dramatic turn with the decommitment of Dominick Kelly from the Trojans. Kelly's initial commitment was a big win for USC, as it coincided with the Trojans flipping 2025 class defensive tackle Justus Terry from his Georgia commitment. The Trojans also secured a pledge from five-star edge Isaiah Gibson, who was heavily pursued by Georgia.

This recruiting coup seemed to signal a shift in power, with USC making huge inroads into Georgia's recruiting territory. But the tables have since turned, as Gibson and now Kelly have both flipped their commitments to coach Smart's program.

Adding to USC's woes, Terry also announced his decommitment from the Trojans and Georgia has emerged as the favorite to land him, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, which gives UGA a 96.8% chance.

USC now has just five pledges in its 2026 class, including four-star linebacker Xavier Griffin, four-star cornerback Brandon Lockhart, four-star wide receiver Ja'Myron Baker, three-star athlete Joshua Holland, and three-star athlete Madden Riordan. But the class still ranks No. 5 in the nation, according to On3 team rankings.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have three pledges in the 2026 classes. Besides Dominick Kelly, they have commitments from quarterback Jared Curtis and cornerback Jontavius Wyman to the class, which ranks No. 3 in the nation and No. 2 in the SEC.