Georgia Football Lands Massive 4-Star Commitment: Chace Calicut Picks Dawgs Over Texas, Michigan
ATHENS, GA — The Bulldogs just got stronger. On a humid July afternoon dripping with anticipation, Georgia football head coach Kirby Smart emerged from the Butts-Mehre complex with the type of grin fans in Athens have come to recognize: a grin that spells recruiting victory.
That victory came in the form of a verbal commitment from 4-star defensive back Chace Calicut, a coveted prospect out of Cedar Hill, Texas. Rated as the No. 6 cornerback in the class of 2026 and the No. 42 overall player in the nation, Calicut’s announcement shook the recruiting landscape. With offers from Texas, Michigan, and LSU, Calicut was the definition of a national recruit. But in the end, it was Georgia’s reputation for defensive dominance—and Smart’s personal touch—that sealed the deal.
“This is where I belong,” Calicut said during his televised commitment ceremony, sporting a black Georgia cap and an unmistakable Bulldog chain around his neck. “I want to be developed by the best. Coach Smart and Coach Fran Brown made it clear: if you want to be elite, you come to Athens.”
For weeks, insiders had whispered that Texas was the favorite. Calicut, after all, is a Lone Star State product with deep ties to the Longhorns program. His cousin played at UT, and he’d visited Austin five times in the last year. Michigan, meanwhile, offered a compelling pitch built around academic prestige and NFL development. But Georgia’s relentless pursuit proved too much to ignore.
“Kirby Smart’s track record with DBs is second to none,” said Rivals analyst Marcus Riddell. “Guys like Kelee Ringo, Derion Kendrick, and Malaki Starks—those are household names, and Chace saw himself in that mold.”
Standing 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, Calicut brings an elite blend of size, speed, and aggression. He clocked a 4.42 forty at The Opening Finals in June and recorded six interceptions in his junior season, three of which he returned for touchdowns. But it’s his film study and mental sharpness that have drawn comparisons to NFL names like Jaire Alexander.
In Georgia’s system, Calicut projects as a boundary corner who can shut down top SEC receivers one-on-one. Sources within the program say his commitment solidifies the Dawgs’ already-loaded 2026 class, which now features three 5-stars and seven top-100 prospects. The buzz in Athens is deafening.
But Kirby Smart isn’t celebrating just yet.
“This is about development,” Smart told reporters. “Chace is a great kid, and he’s earned every bit of this spotlight. But now the work begins. We’re building something special in Athens, and he’s going to be a big part of it.”
Texas fans are left stunned. Michigan’s staff, blindsided. But in Athens, the mood is electric. Another elite talent is headed to red and black—and the SEC just got even scarier.
The rich get richer. And Georgia? Georgia just got Calicut.
