Georgia Gets Bad News on Highly Coveted Star Playmaker

The Georgia Bulldogs are expected to land the top tight end of the 2026 recruiting class. But it won't come without some very strong competition.

Five-star tight end Mark Bowman visited Ole Miss over this past weekend. On3's Steve Wiltfong reported the visit went very well.

”The OV was a blast,” said Bowman.

“I would say the biggest takeaway was the family like feel. It didn’t really feel like I was on a recruiting trip it was more just having a good time with the coaches.”

Ole Miss' involvement in Bowman's recruitment isn't completely out of left field. After all, the tight end had a scheduled official visit with the Rebels.

But it sounds as though the Rebels could be gaining on Georgia.

Georgia Bulldogs football head coach Kirby Smart

© Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Bowman's visit to Oxford, Mississippi came days after Wiltfong and On3's Chad Simmons wrote the Texas Longhorns and USC Trojans present a challenge to the Bulldogs for the five-star tight end as well.

“I like the Bulldogs for Bowman, but Texas and USC are ones to keep an eye on for the reclassified tight end," Wiltfong wrote. "UGA remains in the mix for multiple top targets at the position this cycle.”

Simmons argued Texas is the biggest challenger to Georgia with Bowman.

“Texas was his childhood favorite school and the visit he had to Austin this spring pushed the Longhorns to the top of his list," Simmons wrote. "He visited Georgia again after that visit and the Bulldogs have the momentum going into the official visits."

In addition to holding the No. 1 tight end ranking, Bowman is the No. 4 California recruit and No. 16 overall prospect in the 2026 recruiting class according to the 247 Sports composite rankings.