Georgia football makes top-5 for elite LB Joakim Gouda

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Georgia football makes top-5 for elite LB Joakim Gouda

Three-star linebacker recruit Joakim Gouda has announced his top-five schools, per On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

Gouda is an extremely talented defender that has drawn interest from various programs across the SEC. The linebacker currently has Texas, Auburn, Florida, Alabama and Georgia as his top five programs.

Gouda has official visits set with four of his five top schools including Georgia. The elite linebacker plans to visit UGA from May 29-31.

The Bulldogs and coach Kirby Smart will look to emerge as a favorite for the Georgia native. At 6-foot-2, 225-pounds, Gouda could quickly find himself with a significant role on Georgia’s defense in 2027 should he ultimately choose to sign with the Dawgs.

Gouda is ranked as the No. 61 linebacker and the No. 739 overall player from the class of 2027, per the 247Sports Composite rankings. The linebacker is ranked as the No. 82 overall player from Georgia. An attendee of South Paulding High School (Douglasville, Georgia), finds himself drawing serious interest from numerous SEC programs. The Bulldogs also signed four-star offensive tackle Tyreek Jemison in the class of 2026, so Georgia has a connection to Gouda.

Jan 1, 2026; New Orleans, LA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart arrives prior to the 2025 Sugar Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff against the Mississippi Rebels at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The linebacker could quickly begin to make an impact at any program that lands him, as Gouda will continue to narrow down his options in the near future.

Georgia has targeted a multitude of playmakers from the 2027 class, including five-star defensive lineman Marcus Fakatou and four-star safety KJ Caldwell.

Kirby Smart visits Joakim Gouda

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This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Elite LB Joakim Gouda names top-5 schools

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