We’re all a bit jaded in the modern landscape of college football recruiting. We’ve seen five stars commit to the G, only to move on to the highest bidder later when other teams (cough, Texass) ponies up the dough to bring them somewhere else.
Given the times, recent Bulldog recruit Kemon Spell provides a bit of a refreshing take on the matter of commitment to Georgia.
From the article:
Spell said he evaluates programs with a clear structure. NIL was not at the top.
- He wants to be coached hard
- He wants to be treated like family
- Money comes last
“The money is last for me,” he said.
Georgia checked each box. He added that Athens, despite being 600+ miles away from his actual home in McKeesport, Pa., felt like home to him
Kirby Smart leads a program that consistently develops running backs for the NFL. Spell sees that track record as a major factor. He also dismissed the idea that money drove the commitment.
And it was an epic quote:
“I’m not going to Georgia for the money,” he said. “I’m going to Georgia to be a Dawg and win a national championship.”
That goal aligns with Georgia’s current standard.
Spell closed with a message to fans who still question his status.
“I am committed committed,” he said. “I have canceled all my other visits to get down to Athens every week in June. Basically. So for all the fans out there, yes, I am ‘committed committed,’ and I love Georgia.”
He’s also out there actively recruiting others to come to Athens, which we haven’t seen that level of commitment since the Richard Lecounte days of trying to build a program from the roots.
And if he can get others in 2026 to believe “money comes last”, then cheers to him and he deserves all the commendations and compensation coming to him.
Sounds great and all, but in this day and age I won’t worry about last minute poaching until December early signing is over. The cancelled visits helps a little though. I wonder how much Texas and Miami will up their NIL offers now?
I’m sure the kid means it, and I’d love to see him put on the Red and Black, but ping me again in December. Once the bag men start talking to his family and confidantes, it may all change.
But I love to hear what he’s saying.
I won’t believe it until he’s in class. But of course, Ole Miss comes calling.
It’s a terrific sentiment but will reinforce others telling kids “Georgia don’t pay”. Fine line for Kirby to navigate because in the end….
…it’s about the money.
That’s cool, but it is just going to make it suck worse when he flips at the last minute.
Of course, all the studs going to other top programs, and getting bigger bucks for doing so, aren’t committed to winning a natty.
I don’t like the system but at least you find out early about mercenaries. If they do come but leave after the first year then I rather they never come. The system is screwed and the NCAA ain’t no Bull they are now just one of the steers.