Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News / USA TODAY NETWORK

Nation's No. 1 Recruit Reveals Connection to SEC Powerhouse Amid Intense Battle

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated Jul 22, 2025 12:12 PM ET

One of the most impressive parts of the Georgia Bulldogs' 2026 recruiting class has been their ability to land players close to home, receiving commitments from five top-15 in-state prospects.

That includes some big names such as wide receiver Craig Dandridge (No. 5), tight end Kaiden Prothro (No. 7), safety Jordan Smith (No. 8), EDGE Khamari Brooks (No. 11), and safety Tyriq Green (No. 12).

Now, it appears they are putting a good amount of focus into the 2027 class and specifically EDGE LaDamion Guyton out of Savannah, Georgia, who Rivals places as a five-star recruit and the No. 1 player in the nation.

He's already visited the Bulldogs twice, and in an article written by Rivals' Chad Simmons, the pass rusher revealed his connection to the SEC powerhouse and his hometown team.

"When I am at Georgia, there is that family feeling,” Guyton said. “I don’t think that will ever change. I know a lot of people there, I have visited there a lot and they just make me feel like a normal person when I am there. Georgia is always going to be up there for me. It is a great school, they offered me early and I have gotten to know the coaches well.”

When looking at his high school numbers, it's no surprise that Guyton is ranked so high, accumulating 134 tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks and two forced fumbles for Savannah Christian High School the past two seasons.

However, Georgia is far from the only team showing early interest, as the pass rusher also told Simmons he has "regular communication" with Alabama, Florida, Florida State, South Carolina, Tennessee, USC and LSU.

When it comes to developing pass rushers, though, not many programs can boast the same results as the Bulldogs, having 10 defensive linemen or outside linebackers drafted since 2020, including six first-round selections.

It will remain to be seen if Georgia can come out on top in this battle, though, as Guyton has plenty of time to make a decision, considering he still has two more years at the high school level.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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