![Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart and Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier talk before the game before the first half at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL on Saturday, November 2, 2024. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_2857,h_1607/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/213/01k1nrg500bxsrzeg6pc.jpg "Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart and Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier talk before the game before the first half at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL on Saturday, November 2, 2024. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]")
It felt like it was only a matter of time before Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs did this. For a little while now, the expectation has been that the Bulldogs would make a run at trying to flip 4-star Florida offensive tackle commit Tyler Chukuyem.
On Friday, Georgia entered the race, extending an offer to the Georgia product. As soon as that happened, rumors have been flying that the 6-6, 290-pounder could have a quick change of heart and decide to play his college ball closer to home. Will Billy Napier and Florida football be able to hang on here?
@GeorgiaFootball Offered 🐶@SSearels @Coach_Allen5 @Coachkdantzler @247Sports @On3sports @On3Recruits @NwGaFootball @NEGARecruits @adamgorney @JohnGarcia_Jr @Rivals @RivalsCamp @GregSmithRivals @JeremyO_Johnson @RustyMansell_ @ChadSimmons_ @Coach_Lock pic.twitter.com/e35DC3pCqw
— Tyler “Big Chuk” Chukuyem (@TChukuyem) August 1, 2025
Florida commit Tyler Chukuyem has been offered by the Georgia Bulldogs
Ckukuyem just committed to Florida on June 16, picking the Gators over more than 20 programs. Throughout his recruitment, the highly-touted tackle has picked up scholarships from Florida, Georgia, Ole Miss, Florida State, NC State and many others - he has 24 offers to his name.
According to the 247Sports Composite, the Gators pledge is ranked four stars, the No. 21 offensive tackle in the country, No. 30 player from Georgia and No. 246 prospect nationally for the 2026 class. Obviously, he was a huge get for Florida, but now there are plenty of worried fans.
He's a standout for South Paulding High in Douglasville, which is about two hours away from Athens. With the UGA campus being so close to home, there's surely going to be an allure to suit up for the Dawgs at the next level and be not too far from family and friends.
At the same time, Napier and his staff are now going to work overtime to remind Ckukuyem why he picked Florida in the first place. As for Smart, he'll now hope to get his OT target on campus for a home game weekend this fall. Napier should do the same, as he'll need to impress the youngster moving forward if he wants to make things official with him during the Early Signing Period in December.