Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Georgia Loses In-State Commit to Hated SEC Rival

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Max Escarpio | Last updated Oct 20, 2025 4:53 AM ET

The No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs moved up the rankings after defeating then-No. 5 Ole Miss on Saturday by a score of 43-35 in Athens.

Georgia is now 6-1 on the season, and the Bulldogs' only loss came to Alabama in Week 5 in a 24-21 final score.

To make things more tricky, Alabama moved up to No. 4 in the AP poll after defeating Tennessee, which was No. 11 going into Week 8.

Texas A&M is at No. 3, which means the No. 3-5 teams in the newest AP poll are all in the SEC.

Georgia is 4-1 in SEC play and trails both Texas A&M and Alabama by half a game, so work needs to be done for Kirby Smart's team to make it to the SEC title game.

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart talks with his team against the Auburn Tigers.© Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

On Sunday, Georgia suffered a tough recruiting blow with a commit flipping and deciding to go to Alabama, as the Georgia-Alabama rivalry takes another twist.

"BREAKING: Class of 2026 EDGE Corey Howard has Flipped his Commitment from Georgia to Alabama, he tells me for @rivals. The 6’6 265 EDGE from Valdosta, GA had been Committed to the Bulldogs since June," according to Hayes Fawcett of Rivals/On3.

BREAKING: Class of 2026 EDGE Corey Howard has Flipped his Commitment from Georgia to Alabama, he tells me for @rivals

The 6’6 265 EDGE from Valdosta, GA had been Committed to the Bulldogs since June

“Bama ”https://t.co/1s6jLNCtye pic.twitter.com/zUc1Rrl4Wl
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) October 20, 2025

Howard spoke about the decision to flip from Georgia to Alabama.

“Just the environment and the plan for me is just amazing for me and my family,” Howard said, via Steve Wiltfong of Rivals. “Bama is building a new identity with a new coach, I would love to be a part of.”

Howard is a three-star recruit in the Class of 2026 per both 247Sports and On3/Rivals, and he initially committed to Georgia in June.

Howard plays at Valdosta High School in Georgia, and had offers from programs including Florida, USF and James Madison, among others.

The three-star EDGE just took an official visit to Tuscaloosa for the game against Tennessee in Week 8, and now he is heading to play for Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide.

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

More must-reads: