Georgia Emerges as Early Contender for Top Defensive Back Recruit

Bryce Willingham, a Rivals100 defensive back from North Atlanta, discusses his early recruitment interests.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Bryce Willingham, a highly-touted defensive back prospect from North Atlanta, Georgia, has emerged as an early target for the University of Georgia football program. Willingham, ranked among the top 100 recruits nationally by Rivals, has been in discussions with several top schools but has highlighted Georgia as a program that is standing out in his recruitment.

Why it matters

Landing elite defensive back talent is a key priority for Georgia as they look to reload their secondary and maintain their status as one of the top defensive programs in the country. Willingham's recruitment will be closely watched, as his commitment could have significant implications for the Bulldogs' future defensive backfield.

The details

Willingham, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound defensive back, has drawn interest from a number of major college football programs. However, he has singled out Georgia as a school that has made an early impression, citing the program's success, coaching staff, and overall fit as factors that have the Bulldogs in a strong position in his recruitment.

  • Willingham is a member of the Rivals100 class of 2026.

The players

Bryce Willingham

A highly-ranked defensive back prospect from North Atlanta, Georgia who is being heavily recruited by the University of Georgia and other top programs.

University of Georgia

A prominent college football program known for its strong defensive play that is actively recruiting Bryce Willingham.

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What they’re saying

“Georgia is definitely a school that's standing out for me early on. They have a great program, coaching staff, and I feel like I could be a good fit there.”

— Bryce Willingham (on3.com)

What’s next

Willingham plans to take several official visits in the coming months as he continues to evaluate his college options.

The takeaway

Bryce Willingham's early interest in Georgia underscores the program's ability to recruit top defensive talent, a key factor in their recent success. His commitment would be a major coup for the Bulldogs as they look to reload their secondary for the future.