Georgia Bulldogs are once again on the losing side of a battle for an elite recruit they desperately need in their 2027 class

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The Georgia Bulldogs are once again on the losing side of a battle for an elite recruit they desperately need in their 2027 class. This time it’s defensive lineman Seth Tillman.

The Georgia Bulldogs missed on four-star defensive lineman Seth Tillman, the No. 11 defensive lineman in the 2027 Rivals 300, who committed to Clemson over Georgia, South Carolina, and Michigan.

Tillman holds a 92.06 composite rating on Rivals Industry, ranks as a top-115 player nationally, and is the No. 2 player in South Carolina. While Georgia appeared to be second in this recruitment, the Bulldogs now turn to the defensive linemen already in their 2027 class as they continue building depth along the front.

How big of a loss is this for Georgia?

This isn’t a devastating blow for the Bulldogs, largely because Tillman is an in-state recruit for Clemson. He hails from Rock Hill, South Carolina, where he played at South Pointe. Getting an in-state kid to stay home is always a tough battle, and Clemson clearly had the edge here. Tillman visited Clemson five times and Georgia five times, with South Carolina logging four visits, and Kentucky and Michigan each getting two.

That said, this is still a meaningful miss. Tillman could be a big-time player for Clemson. He’s a four-star now, but plenty of scouts believe he could earn a fifth star by the time he arrives on campus. A lot of people see Byron Young in him, the former Alabama defensive lineman who was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in the third round a few years ago. That comparison alone tells you the kind of ceiling Tillman carries.

What makes Tillman such an appealing prospect?

His combination of size, length, and first-step quickness stands out. Prior to his senior season, Tillman measured 6’3, 300 pounds, and he could still grow into that frame. His arms measure over 33 inches, so the length isn’t terrible, but you hope it continues to develop. He’s highly productive in high school and makes plays in the backfield at a high rate.

Tillman has the skill set to create disruption from multiple spots along the front. He lines up as a big defensive end and in 3-technique alignments, but he could even slide to nose tackle with improved size. That kind of versatility is what makes him such a coveted recruit, and it’s why Georgia wanted him in this class.

Where Georgia stands without Tillman

The Bulldogs still have the No. 16-ranked class in the country and the No. 8 class in the SEC, so this isn’t a situation where the sky is falling. Georgia already has 4-star defensive lineman Antoine McKoy committed, along with three-star defensive lineman Waylon Wooten and a few edge rushers. The defensive line room isn’t bare by any stretch.

Georgia could have used a player like Tillman, though. When you lose out on a prospect with potential five-star upside and a legitimate NFL comparison, it stings regardless of where you stand in the recruiting rankings. The Bulldogs will keep pushing to add talent along the front, but Clemson landed a good one here.

This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: Georgia Bulldogs are once again on the losing side of a battle for an elite recruit they desperately need in their 2027 class

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