247 sports
After a national championship and recently a record-breaking contract extension, Georgia coach Kirby Smart has also scored another W in the recruiting column. Joenel Aguero, a four-star safety candidate from St. John’s Prep in Lynn, Massachusetts, announced his commitment to Georgia and coach Kirby Smart Saturday live at CBS Sports HQ. Aguero picked the Bulldogs over Florida, Miami and Ohio State finalists.
“I fell in love like it was everything… The first time I went there, I fell in love with the place and the grind,” said Aguero. “[The coaching staff] They can get you into the NFL and that’s the goal.”
Aguero is ranked No. 28 overall and the second-place safety contender in the class of 2023, according to 247Sports. The 6-foot-195-pounder is predicted to be a next-level starter, according to Brian Dohn, national recruiting analyst for 247Sports.
“Framework to play at 195-205 in college,” Dohn wrote in Agüero’s scouting report. “Elite safety candidate with receiver skills. Missed part of freshman season with an ankle injury. Overwhelming physical ability in the Massachusetts high school scene. Able to play in the box or from cover. Aggressive downhill play. Excellent body control. Collapses and changes direction. Accelerates quickly and has a top gear. Shows speed on close. Plays physically. Must continue to develop back pedal and hip flexibility to open and run deep. Must develop man marking skills to gain slot to cover. Perennial starter at Power 5 at high school level.”
Aguero is the 16th player committed to Smart during the current recruitment cycle. His promise catapulted the Bulldogs from 6th to 3rd in the 247Sports team recruit rankings.