With the addition of four-star defensive lineman Nasir Johnson, who switched his pledge from Florida to the Bulldogs on Wednesday, Georgia’s top-ranked 2024 class gained even another significant boost. Johnson had committed to the Gators back in June, but he is now going to their rival.
Johnson is a highly sought-after recruit; he is ranked No. 14 defensive lineman and No. 75 overall in the Top 247. The native of Dublin, Georgia, received official visits to South Carolina, Florida, and eventually Georgia on November 11 and has offers from many of the finest universities in the country.
Johnson, who is listed at 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, has the build of a dominant interior defensive lineman who might be a key member of the Power Five. Andrew Ivins, director of scouting for 247Sports, highlighted Johnson’s physical upside as one of the main factors raising hopes for him. Johnson competed in the discus and shot throw state championships.
“Could probably settle in as a swing offensive tackle at the Power Five level, but is viewed by most schools as an interior defensive lineman on Saturdays,” Ivins stated. “At his best on defense when he’s playing assignment football and asked to plug the A or B gap as he uses a wide base to hold his ground and then fights off blockers with a powerful upper half.”
Johnson is just the newest superstar to sign with Georgia, which 247Sports ranks as the top recruiting class. Out of 28 commitments made by defensive linemen in the Bulldogs’ Class of 2024, he is the sixth defensive lineman and the tenth top-75 talent to join the group.
Florida’s class of 2024 suffers yet again
As of Week 11, the Gators were ranked No. 3 in 247Sports’ 2024 team rankings; however, a run of significant decommitments has caused them to drop two spots. Johnson leaves Billy Napier’s class this week along with cornerback Wardell Mack (Texas) and fellow Top247 edge defender Jamonta Waller (Auburn).
Despite having a 5-2 start to the season, Florida has now dropped three straight games against LSU, Georgia, and Arkansas. The Gators are in danger of missing a bowl game for the first time since 2017, the last year of the Jim McElwain era, with two games left against No. 9 Missouri and No. 4 Florida State.
With one month left in the early signing period, the Gators still have three five-star commits in their class, making it a top-five class. Napier, though, is up against it when it comes to keeping the class cohesive.
