DE Gibson pledges to UGA after USC decommit

Eli Lederman, ESPNJun 24, 2024, 08:38 PM ET

Four-star defensive end Isaiah Gibson, the 28th-ranked prospect in the 2025 ESPN 300, committed to Georgia on Monday, six days after pulling his pledge from Lincoln Riley’s recruiting class at USC.

Gibson is the No. 3 defensive end in the 2025 class, per ESPN rankings. The 6-foot-4 edge rusher from Warner Robins, Georgia, had been committed to the Trojans since March 24 before decommitting last Tuesday. He becomes the 12th ESPN 300 prospect pledged to the Bulldogs in 2025 and the second-highest-rated recruit in Kirby Smart’s class, behind only in-state outside linebacker Zayden Walker (No. 15 in the top 300).

Gibson totaled 17 sacks in his junior season last fall and took a handful of visits this spring following his commitment to USC, with stops at Georgia, Auburn, South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida and Ohio State before pulling his pledge last week. After leaving the Trojans’ 2025 class, Gibson scheduled, then canceled, a visit to Oklahoma, and split his weekend between trips to Ohio State and Georgia.

Gibson further bolsters a Bulldogs recruiting class that stood 13th in ESPN’s latest team rankings for the 2025 cycle.

He is the latest addition in a talent-packed defensive class for Georgia. Joining him on coordinator Glenn Schumann’s defense are Walker (No. 2 outside linebacker in 2025), outside linebacker Jadon Perlotte (No. 9 OLB), defensive tackles Christian Garrett (No. 8 DT) and Stephon Shivers (No. 22 DT), and defensive end Darren Ikinnagbon, the 20th-ranked edge rusher in the 2025 class.