Kedric Golston II, the high-profile son of Georgia stalwart and former NFL standout Kedric Golston, has officially pledged his football future to the Tennessee Volunteers—choosing Rocky Top over his father’s alma mater, the Georgia Bulldogs.** The 6‑foot‑2, 235‑pound edge rusher from Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn, Virginia, revealed his decision on June 27, becoming a key addition to Tennessee’s 2026 class ([sportskeeda.com][1]).
**A legacy recruit, but a different path.**
His father, Kedric Golston Sr., was a dominant presence at Georgia from 2002–2005, helping the Bulldogs capture an SEC title and Sugar Bowl before embarking on an 11‑year NFL career with Washington ([en.wikipedia.org][2]). Naturally, Georgia’s coaching staff—led by head coach Kirby Smart—put heavy emphasis on securing the legacy linebacker. Early in the process, Golston II ranked both Tennessee and Georgia as his top two schools, citing the allure of SEC football .
**The case for Tennessee.**
Tennessee offered him early—on February 6, 2024—and built a strong recruiting relationship, first unofficially hosting him four times, then rolling out the red carpet during an official visit on June 6, 2025 ([sportskeeda.com][1]). He credited the Volunteers’ culture and consistency:
> “I love the overall culture of Tennessee … I feel the love every time I step on campus. The relationships I had with the coaches really put them high on my list.” ([sportskeeda.com][1])
A major anchor in Tennessee’s pitch is defensive line coach Rodney Garner, who coached Golston Sr. at Georgia. The junior Golston spoke highly of his bond with Coach “G”:
> “I feel that I have the best connection with coach G. … I know I can trust him.” ([sportskeeda.com][1])
And then there’s head coach Josh Heupel’s infectious energy:
> “I like that coach Heupel is the same guy on and off the field. He has a lot of positive energy … and that brings the culture up.” ([sportskeeda.com][1])
**A near miss for Georgia.**
Despite Tennessee’s momentum, Georgia remained competitive. Golston took an official visit to Athens around mid-June along with stops at Rutgers and Virginia Tech ([athlonsports.com][3]). On3’s industry rankings placed Tennessee as a 34.4% favorite, with Georgia not far behind in second place ([dawnofthedawg.com][4]). Even still, Golston’s family ties stirred excitement, with insiders anticipating a possible commitment during his official Bulldogs visit ([sportskeeda.com][1]).
**Tennessee lands a recruiting coup.**
On June 27, Tennessee officially secured Golston II’s verbal commitment. He becomes the Vols’ 10th pledge in the 2026 class and their third edge rusher, following four-star Zach Groves and three-star C.J. Edwards ([sportskeeda.com][1]).
CBSSports gave the commitment a “Solid Depth” rating—6 out of 10—highlighting Golston as a shorter but high-motor pass rusher, whose legacy status adds even more weight ([new.cbssports.com][5]).
**Broader impact and what’s next.**
Securing a legacy recruit from Georgia is a public win for Tennessee. Social media reactions included amusing jabs at Georgia’s Kirby Smart:
> “Kirby crammed in the locker,” one fan wrote, while another quipped, “KIRBY LOCKERED.” ([sportskeeda.com][1])
But beyond the memes, this is a tangible recruiting success. Tennessee currently sits No. 55 nationally in the 2026 class, and Golston II’s addition further showcases the staff’s ability to build momentum in tough SEC East competition ([allfortennessee.com][6]). With the summer recruiting window still active—and Heupel eyeing other top targets like T.J. White and Dereon Albert—this may just be the start of a recruiting wave ([allfortennessee.com][6]).
**Final take**
Kedric Golston II’s commitment to Tennessee over Georgia underscores how relationships, culture, and personal connections can definitively shape modern recruiting—even when legacy factors loom large. As a four-star EDGE, he adds depth, versatility, and insider knowledge to the Vols’ defense. For Tennessee, it’s a win in-house. For Georgia, it’s a missed opportunity and a reminder that even the strongest legacies don’t guarantee next-gen stays.