Georgia, Miami Intensify 2026 Recruiting Rivalry Amid Divergent NIL Strategies

The 2026 college football recruiting cycle has spotlighted a fierce rivalry between Georgia and Miami, particularly highlighted by Miami securing the top recruit Jackson Cantwell with a substantial $2 million NIL deal, while Georgia emphasizes relationship-building over large NIL transactions. Miami has flipped several Georgia commits, including wide receiver Vance Spafford and cornerback Jontavious Wyman, intensifying the competition between the programs, which are geographically close and compete for talent in South Florida. Georgia remains strong in recruiting, landing key players like quarterback Jared Curtis, who reportedly has an NIL deal around $750,000, as well as others such as running back Jae Lamar, but has seen some commitments flip to other schools including Texas. Meanwhile, the recruitment of elite running back Savion Hiter has become a major battle among four powerhouse programs: Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, and Tennessee, with a commitment decision expected soon; his NIL deal is projected to be between $600,000 and $800,000. These recruiting dynamics underscore the evolving role of NIL in college football and the strategic approaches programs are using to attract top talent. The rivalry and recruitment battles reflect broader trends in college football’s competitive landscape, where geographic proximity, NIL offers, and program prestige all play critical roles.