Georgia Dealt Brutal Blow on Star Playmaker on Monday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dave Holcomb | Last updated Jun 23, 2025 6:17 PM ET

The grumblings were true. The Georgia Bulldogs lost their top wide receiver commit for the 2026 class to a familiar foe.

Four-star wide receiver Vance Spafford flipped his commitment from the Bulldogs to the Miami Hurricanes on Monday. Both Rivals' Adam Gorney and On3's Hayes Fawcett reported the flip.

Spafford will join five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, who was a top Georgia target, in Miami. Although they won't ever play with him, former Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck also landed with the Hurricanes this offseason.

The receiver referenced the Hurricanes coaching staff and Cantwell's commitment as major factors in his decision to flip.

“Coach (Kevin Beard) is incredible,” Spafford told Gorney. “He knows what he’s talking about. Coach (Shannon) Dawson is incredible, too, and they’re all communicating with me every day and really trying. Coach (Mario) Cristobal is phenomenal. That guy is great.

"The commitment with Jackson (Cantwell) is big as well. A good offensive line for a good quarterback is all I could ever want.”

The possibility of Spafford decommitting from the Bulldogs has been discussed in recruiting circles for weeks. On3's Chad Simmons reported on June 13 that the UCLA Bruins and Washington Huskies were both trying to flip Spafford from Georgia.

Those two programs appeared to be the biggest concern for the Bulldogs with Spafford due to the receiver being from California. But instead, Spafford will head to Miami.

BREAKING: Four-Star WR Vance Spafford has Flipped his Commitment from Georgia to Miami, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 5’11 180 WR had been Committed to the Bulldogs since November

“All Glory To My Lord And Savior Jesus Christ, Go Canes !!”https://t.co/yDjBBtD5VO pic.twitter.com/oQ5jGbG6wU
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 23, 2025

Based on the 247Sports Composite rankings, Spafford is the No. 9 receiver and 10th-ranked California prospect. He is also the No. 74 overall recruit in the class.

Without him on board, the Bulldogs have two receivers left committed for 2026 – Brady Marchese and Ryan Mosley. Both are three-star prospects.

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

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