Nolan Smith became the first signee for Georgia football in 2019.

Smith, the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect for 2019 per the 247Sports Composite ratings, was the first signee announced by Georgia football during Wednesday’s early signing period.

He’s the first Bulldog signee to be ranked as the nation’s No. 1 player in his class since 5-star DT Trenton Thompson in the Class of 2015.

Smith committed to the Bulldogs in January 2017. That decision came days before he would move to IMG Academy. There has been no Bulldog committed longer to the class than Smith. That’s despite his status as the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect for this cycle on the 247Sports composite.

Smith will wear Lorenzo Carter’s No. 7, after receiving Carter’s blessing while a recruit.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Georgia offensive lineman Juan Gaston (73) walks off of the field as trainers and Georgia head coach Kirby Smart tend to him after Gaston was injured during their game against Marshall at Sanford Stadium, Saturday, August 30, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Featured

Fulton DA Fani Willis (center) with Nathan J. Wade (right), the special prosecutor she hired to manage the Trump case and had a romantic relationship with, at a news conference announcing charges against President-elect Donald Trump and others in Atlanta, Aug. 14, 2023. Georgia’s Supreme Court on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, upheld an appeals court's decision to disqualify Willis from the election interference case against Trump and his allies. (Kenny Holston/New York Times)

Credit: NYT