Kirby Smart and Georgia secured their highest-ranked commitment in the class of 2025 on Wednesday afternoon when in-state linebacker Zayden Walker, the No. 15 overall prospect and No. 2 outside linebacker in the 2025 ESPN 300, picked the Bulldogs over Miami and South Carolina, among others.
The four-star prospect from Georgia's Schley High School is the state's fourth-ranked recruit in his class, per ESPN's rankings. Walker was scheduled for visits to Miami and South Carolina later this month, but he verbally committed to the Bulldogs following an official visit to Athens this past weekend. Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann served as Walker's primary recruiter in a process that began during Walker's freshman year of high school.
Walker now stands as the top-ranked member of the Bulldogs' 2025 class. Alongside Walker in that group are tight ends Elyiss Williams (No. 29 in ESPN 300) and Ethan Barbour (No. 43), linebacker Jadon Perlotte (No. 66), offensive tackle Mason Short and quarterback Ryan Montgomery (No. 125), as well as defensive linemen Darren Ikinnagbon (No. 217) and Stephon Shivers (No. 288).
After inking the No. 1 signing class in the 2024 cycle, Georgia stands at No. 13 in ESPN's latest team rankings in 2025. In Walker, Kirby Smart & Co. have a cornerstone commitment to build on as they seek to secure their ninth consecutive top-three class.