College football's top teams are lining up for defensive lineman Marcus Fakatou. His production has made him an intriguing target, recording 69 tackles, seven sacks, 17 tackles for loss and two pass deflections last season.
At 6-foot-7 and 295 pounds, the pass rusher already had impressive size for someone in high school. Along with his stats, Fakatou is a four-star recruit, the No. 2 defensive lineman and the No. 28 player in the nation, per Rivals Industry Rankings.
With an extensive list of suitors, he holds offers from schools such as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, USC Trojans, Michigan Wolverines, Georgia Bulldogs, Oregon Ducks and Texas Longhorns.
However, after an unofficial visit with Georgia on Saturday, the SEC powerhouse has shot up his list of top programs.
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Following his visit to Athens, Fakatou spoke to Rivals' Chad Simmons, praising his experience with the Bulldogs.
“Visiting Georgia honestly boosted them all the way to the top of my list,” Fakatou said. “Just being there and feeling the vibe in Athens was something else.... The atmosphere was beyond crazy. Everyone was hyped and moving around with high energy."
Georgia has a strong reputation for producing elite defensive linemen. In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Bulldogs had four defensive linemen selected, including two first-rounders. That makes the Bulldogs an exciting option for young pass rushers.
Despite Kirby Smart already putting together a 2027 recruiting class that ranks fifth in the nation, Fakatou would be a major splash. Georgia has yet to land a defensive lineman in that group, meaning he could be the first.
