Georgia’s Kirby Smart Faces Recruiting Setback with Decommitment of 4-Star Running Back
On Monday, December 4, 2024, Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart received unexpected and unwelcome news when four-star running back Ousmane Kromah decommitted from Georgia and committed to Florida State. Kromah, a native of Georgia, had been committed to the Bulldogs since October 5, 2024, and his decision to flip to the Seminoles was a significant blow to Georgia’s 2025 recruiting class.
The Impact of Kromah’s Decommitment
Kromah’s decommitment is particularly impactful given his status as a top-tier recruit. Ranked as the No. 4 running back and No. 73 overall player in the 2025 class by 247Sports, Kromah was expected to be a cornerstone of Georgia’s backfield for the upcoming seasons. His decision to choose Florida State over Georgia adds to the challenges Smart faces in maintaining Georgia’s recruiting momentum.
Recruiting Challenges for Kirby Smart
This development is not an isolated incident for Kirby Smart and the Georgia coaching staff. In the months leading up to Kromah’s decommitment, Georgia experienced other setbacks in their recruiting efforts. Notably, Rashad Johnson, a four-star safety from Florida, decommitted from Georgia and committed to Texas A&M. Johnson cited the strong relationships between Texas A&M’s coaching staff and his own coaches as a significant factor in his decision .
These events highlight the increasingly competitive nature of college football recruiting, where top-tier prospects are frequently courted by multiple programs. For Georgia, maintaining a top-ranked recruiting class requires not only securing commitments from elite players but also ensuring those commitments remain firm throughout the recruiting cycle.
Kirby Smart’s Recruiting Philosophy
Despite these challenges, Kirby Smart remains committed to his recruiting philosophy, which emphasizes player development, academic success, and long-term career prospects over immediate financial incentives. Smart has been vocal about his stance on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, stating that while they are a part of the modern recruiting landscape, they should not be the primary factor in a recruit’s decision-making process.
Smart’s approach focuses on preparing players for successful careers, both on and off the field, by providing them with the tools and opportunities to excel in the NFL and beyond. This philosophy has contributed to Georgia’s success in developing players who are not only athletically gifted but also equipped for life after football.
Looking Ahead
As Georgia moves forward in the 2025 recruiting cycle, the coaching staff faces the dual challenge of rebuilding their class while continuing to compete at the highest levels on the field. The loss of a player like Kromah underscores the volatility inherent in recruiting but also serves as an impetus for Smart and his staff to intensify their efforts in securing commitments from other top-tier prospects.
In conclusion, while the decommitment of Ousmane Kromah represents a setback for Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs, it also provides an opportunity for the coaching staff to reaffirm their commitment to player development and to continue building a program that prioritizes long-term success over short-term gains.
