Kirby Smart Lands Major Recruiting Victory Over Bill Belichick, North Carolina in Battle for Elite Offensive Line Prospect
In a stunning twist to the already electric college football recruiting season, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has once again flexed his recruiting dominance — this time, outdueling NFL legend Bill Belichick and North Carolina to land five-star offensive lineman Jacob “The Wall” Whitmore. At 6-foot-7, 340 pounds, Whitmore is widely regarded as the top offensive tackle in the country, and his commitment marks yet another seismic victory for Georgia’s powerhouse program.
The commitment came late Tuesday evening in front of a packed gymnasium at East Forsyth High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. With cameras rolling and the nation watching, Whitmore unzipped his hoodie to reveal a red and black Georgia tee, setting off raucous cheers and confirming what many insiders had speculated — Kirby Smart had pulled off one of the biggest recruiting coups of the year.
What makes this commitment especially compelling is the competition Georgia overcame. Belichick, now serving as a high-level football consultant for UNC in a surprise post-NFL chapter, was rumored to have taken a special interest in Whitmore’s development. Sources close to the program suggest Belichick made several private visits to Whitmore’s home, breaking down film and offering a direct pipeline to the NFL — a move that turned heads across both college and pro circles.
But in the end, it was Smart’s relentless recruiting machine that won out.
“Coach Smart made it clear that Georgia wasn’t just a stop on the way to the NFL — it was the NFL,” Whitmore said during his announcement. “They showed me how I’d be developed by the best O-line coach in college football, playing against the best every day, and competing for national championships right out of the gate. That’s hard to say no to.”
Georgia’s offensive line depth has already been considered among the best in the country, and with Whitmore’s addition, it now becomes terrifying. He’s projected to be an immediate impact player, with comparisons already being made to former Bulldog and current NFL Pro Bowler Andrew Thomas.
Kirby Smart’s strategy was, as always, rooted in precision and persistence. Georgia staff members visited Whitmore’s school weekly, invited his family to Athens for private walkthroughs, and even hosted a dinner with former Bulldogs now in the NFL. The final pitch included a virtual call with quarterback Carson Beck, who emphasized the trust needed in blindside protection — and how Whitmore was the missing piece to another title run.
This recruiting win sends another message to the college football world: Georgia isn’t slowing down. Not for Belichick. Not for anyone.
With the 2025 season looming, the Bulldogs have once again reloaded. And in Kirby Smart’s Georgia, reloading often feels a lot like domination.
