Kirby Smart reaffirms Georgia’s recruiting focus on development and culture after losing five-star lineman Jackson Cantwell to rival.

The college football recruiting landscape has always been competitive, but in recent years, it has become more volatile than ever. With the rise of the transfer portal, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, and an increased national focus on recruiting rankings, programs must navigate a challenging and ever-evolving environment.

For Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, that challenge became personal with the recent loss of five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, who committed elsewhere despite being one of Georgia’s top offensive line targets in the 2026 class. While fans and media may have seen this as a setback, Smart addressed the issue with his usual confidence and poise, emphasizing a long-term philosophy rooted in development, program culture, and sustainable success.

The Jackson Cantwell Recruitment: A Blow, But Not a Breakdown

Jackson Cantwell, a towering offensive tackle out of Nixa, Missouri, is considered one of the elite prospects in the 2026 cycle. His combination of size, athleticism, and technique made him a coveted target across the country. Georgia, with its track record of developing NFL-ready offensive linemen, was thought to be one of the frontrunners for his commitment.

When Cantwell instead pledged to another program—an SEC rival or perhaps a national power like Ohio State or Alabama—it raised eyebrows among recruiting observers. Georgia fans took to social media with mixed emotions, with some expressing concern about the team’s ability to land premier talent in the NIL era.

However, Kirby Smart took the opportunity to deliver a message that extended beyond one player.

Kirby Smart’s Recruiting Philosophy: Culture, Development, Fit

In speaking to the media after Cantwell’s commitment decision, Smart made it clear that Georgia’s recruiting efforts are not—and never will be—centered solely around hype or short-term appeal.

“You’re going to win some and you’re going to lose some,” Smart said. “That’s recruiting. We’re focused on building a culture that players want to be part of, one that develops them into great players and better people.”

Smart reiterated a philosophy he’s long championed: Georgia’s success isn’t dependent on one player or even one class. It’s built on consistent excellence, competition, and the right fit.

“We look for guys who buy into how we do things,” he added. “We train hard, we play tough, and we put players in the best position to reach the next level.”

That message resonated across the Georgia locker room and among other recruits. Smart’s approach is not reactionary; it’s strategic. He’s not looking to outbid competitors or chase commitments with flash. He wants athletes who want Georgia—not just what Georgia can offer.

The Development Pipeline: Georgia’s NFL Factory

If there’s one area where Smart can point to proof of concept, it’s player development.

Since taking over at Georgia in 2016, Smart has helped turn Athens into an NFL pipeline. Offensive linemen like Andrew Thomas, Isaiah Wynn, and Jamaree Salyer have gone from high school stars to first-round NFL draft picks under Georgia’s guidance. More recently, Broderick Jones and Sedrick Van Pran have kept that trend alive.

Smart believes this track record is one of the Bulldogs’ most powerful recruiting tools.

“We’re not just trying to sign five-stars. We’re trying to develop five-stars,” he said. “If you look at the guys who come through our program, they leave stronger, smarter, and better prepared than when they arrived.”

That approach isn’t lost on the athletes paying attention. While NIL is undeniably a factor in many recruiting decisions now, the majority of players still want to make it to the NFL. Smart is betting on Georgia’s history of development to continue to appeal to that ambition.

The Impact of NIL and Changing Dynamics

Still, it would be naïve to ignore the role NIL plays in modern recruiting. The loss of a prospect like Jackson Cantwell underscores just how much influence financial factors can now have on a player’s commitment. Smart acknowledged as much, but he was clear that Georgia’s approach will not be dictated by NIL leverage alone.

“NIL is part of the equation now, and that’s fine. But it’s not going to define who we are,” Smart said. “If a player’s decision is based entirely on that, they probably won’t be a good fit here.”

Instead, Georgia has taken a measured, structured approach to NIL. The program works with collectives and advisors to ensure players are supported, but there’s no sense of desperation or overpromising.

That disciplined approach has earned respect among high school coaches, parents, and even other programs. Georgia wants recruits who value the bigger picture: elite development, a winning culture, and long-term growth.

Turning the Page: What’s Next for Georgia’s 2026 Class

The 2026 class is far from complete, and while losing a player like Cantwell is significant, Georgia is still in the hunt for numerous top-tier linemen and athletes across the board. The staff has been actively recruiting other offensive tackles, several of whom are also ranked in the Top100. Smart and offensive line coach Stacy Searels are relentless recruiters and have shown the ability to recover quickly after losing a high-profile target.

Georgia’s 2026 class still has the potential to be among the top five in the nation. The Bulldogs are off to a strong start with several four-star and five-star prospects already showing strong interest or giving early verbal commitments.

Furthermore, some under-the-radar offensive linemen in the Southeast are beginning to rise in the rankings, and Georgia has proven its ability to evaluate and develop those kinds of players into future stars.

The Long Game: Building for Championships

Smart’s message in the aftermath of Cantwell’s commitment was clear: the program isn’t defined by individual wins and losses on the recruiting trail. Georgia is playing the long game—building a roster year after year that can compete for SEC and national championships.

It’s a philosophy rooted in process over panic.

“We’ve got a vision for what this team looks like three, four, five years down the road,” Smart said. “We’re building that every day.”

Georgia’s recent back-to-back national titles in 2021 and 2022 weren’t the result of landing every five-star recruit. They were the result of cohesion, development, and a culture where players are expected to grow.

That’s what Smart is continuing to sell—and more importantly, it’s what Georgia continues to deliver.

Fan Reactions: Confidence Over Concern

Among the Georgia fan base, reactions to the Cantwell news ranged from mild concern to a “next man up” mentality. Most loyal Bulldog fans understand what Smart has built and trust the process he preaches.

“You can’t win every battle,” said one long-time Georgia supporter. “But with Kirby, you know the next guy might end up being just as good or better. That’s how deep we recruit.”

And that’s the truth: under Smart, Georgia has rarely been caught unprepared. Even when missing out on elite prospects, they have either flipped other high-end recruits or developed players already in the system to fill the void.

The Message to Recruits: Bet on Georgia, Not the Buzz

Kirby Smart isn’t going to chase headlines. His message to recruits remains simple and consistent: if you want to be challenged, developed, and prepared for the NFL, come to Georgia.

He emphasizes internal accountability, elite competition, and doing things the right way—no shortcuts. While that may not appeal to every five-star recruit, it appeals to the right ones. And that’s what Smart wants.

“We’re looking for guys who want to earn it,” he said. “Guys who want to compete every day and get better.”

 The Vision Doesn’t Change

Losing a five-star recruit is never easy, especially one as talented as Jackson Cantwell. But under Kirby Smart, Georgia has learned to absorb those losses, respond strategically, and keep building.

Smart’s philosophy—grounded in development, accountability, and culture—isn’t reactive. It’s resilient. And that resilience has become the foundation of one of college football’s most successful programs over the past decade.

With a strong 2026 class still taking shape, and plenty of top-tier talent still on the board, Georgia’s future remains as bright as ever.

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