Ellis Robinson IV, nation's No. 1 cornerback in 2024, commits to Georgia Bulldogs over Alabama, others

During the December early signing period more than 95 percent of the nation's top 200 football prospects in the class of 2023 signed National Letters of Intent.

In fact, the highest-rated prospect scheduled to come off the board Wednesday came from the class of 2024.

On ESPN's broadcast of "College Football Live: Signing Day Special," IMG Academy (Florida) athlete Ellis Robinson IV, the nation's No. 8 overall prospect and No. 1 cornerback, announced his verbal commitment to the Georgia Bulldogs over fellow finalists Alabama, Colorado, LSU and Miami.

"I'm going to Georgia," he said. "The main reason why I picked Georgia was the relationship factor that I had with coach Fran (Brown) was really like no other relationship. Ever since he went to Georgia [from Rutgers]... the moment that he stopped on campus he told the coaches about me."

Following that initial introduction from Brown, Robinson IV took several visits to camp and bonded with the rest of the coaching staff - and program as a whole. 

Since then, I've built a good relationship with all of the coaches," he said. "It's been great overall, Every time I go on a visit they treat me like family over there. And it's just like family." 

For Robinson, his Georgia commitment on national television checks off a major box on his list of goals. 

"It's truly a blessing, really," he said. "Going from watching it as a young kid, seeing these guys commit on live television... I always wanted to do that - commit on ESPN. That was always a goal of mine. It feels like I accomplished something in my life." 

Robinson will remain in the class of 2024, but does intend to graduate early as a senior and will arrive in Athens next January. 

Georgia's 2024 recruiting class was already the nation's No. 1 group, but adds to its sizable lead with the IMG Academy star in the fold.

Robinson joins Colquitt County (Georgia) five-star tight end Landen Thomas and St. John Bosco (California) elite safety Peyton Woodyard as the headliners of the class.

Scouting report

Heres's what 247Sports had to say, in part, about Robinson as a prospect:

"The type of cornerback that has the tools to shut down one side of the field or take an opponent’s top receiver out of the game. Pushing 6-foot and equipped with arms that stretch north of 33 inches. Uses that length to his advantage as he’s one of the best in the 2024 cycle when it comes to locating the football, maintaining position and then making a play at the catch point. Pretty scheme versatile for a youngster as he has already been exposed to press, off-man and quarters coverages. Clean footwork and a smooth backpedal allows him to quickly gain plenty of depth while a balanced platform allows for swift transitions. Will eventually need to add some mass if he wants to consistently hold his own against college-sized players, but is already aggressive with his hands and can disrupt routes at the line of scrimmage. Is also a spirited open-field tackler." 

Junior season highlights