4-star DL Preston Carey’s Surprising Decision to Join Georgia Football Shakes Up Recruitment Landscape

Carey is Georgia’s sixth defensive line commitment in the class of 2026. The four-star joins Corey Howard, PJ Dean, Carter Luckie, James Johnson and Seven Cloud as defensive line commitments. Georgia’s defensive line coach Tray Scott has done a fantastic job of recruiting elite talent to UGA.When a towering force like Preston Carey, a four-star defensive line standout, throws his lot in with the Georgia Bulldogs, you know it’s a signal light—loud and clear—flashing intent on building something special. Carey, who tips the scales at an imposing 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, didn’t just waltz into a decision; he chose Georgia over the likes of Florida, Auburn, and Rutgers, staking his claim as the Bulldogs’ 26th prized addition for the 2026 class. And trust me, this isn’t just another name in the mix—coming out of IMG Academy in Florida, where the competition is fierce and the stakes even higher, Carey’s joining a defensive line that’s quickly becoming a fortress under Coach Tray Scott’s watchful eye. With over 50 scholarship offers at his doorstep, this Long Island native’s pick wasn’t taken lightly; he zeroed in on a program that’s got a blueprint for his growth and, perhaps down the road, a pathway to the NFL draft. There’s a buzz, a pulse in the air around Georgia’s defense these days, and adding a player like Carey just cranks that excitement up several notches. Ready to dive into the details and see what makes this commitment a game changer? LEARN MOREFour-star defensive line recruit Preston Carey has committed to the Georgia Bulldogs over the Florida Gators, Auburn Tigers and Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Carey is Georgia’s 26th commitment in the class of 2026. His decision is the latest in the Bulldogs’ slew of recent commitments.247Sports ranks Carey as the No. 309 recruit in the country and the No. 36 defensive lineman. The IMG Academy standout is the No. 48 recruit in Florida.

The 6-foot-5, 300-pound defensive lineman plays high school football for IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He’s high school teammates with fellow Georgia class of 2026 commit safety Zech Fort and several other elite recruits.

Carey has over 50 scholarship offers and prioritized a team having a plan for him and being able to develop him in his recruitment. Carey, who is from Long Island, New York, will look to be the next Georgia defensive lineman to be drafted.

Carey primarily plays defensive tackle in IMG Academy’s 4-3 defensive scheme. He does a good job of shedding blockers and is a strong run defender. He has pass rushing upside and plays against a very high level of high school competition.