Aguero chooses Georgia over Miami

One of the top safeties in the nation considered Miami but ultimately decided to play for the reigning national champions.

Four-star safety Joenel Aguero committed to Georgia on Saturday, picking the Bulldogs over the Hurricanes, Ohio State, Alabama and more. He announced his decision on CBS Sports.

“I feel like it was everything that stood out about Georgia,” Aguero said on the broadcast. “Really, from the first time I’ve been there, I kind of fell in love with the place. I fell in love with the program, the grind.”

Aguero said the coaching staff, including head coach Kirby Smart, defensive backs coach Fran Brown and co-defensive coordinator Will Muschamp played a big role in convincing him to go to Georgia.

“I feel like they’re great coaches,” Aguero said. “They’re going to help develop me to get to the [NFL], and that’s the end goal.”

Aguero is rated the No. 3 safety and No. 34 player in the 2023 class in 247Sports’ composite rankings.

The star safety, who is a Massachusetts native, spent his junior season at Bradenton IMG Academy but will play his senior year at St. John’s Prep in Danvers, Massachusetts.

Aguero took an official visit to Miami at the end of June. He also took visits to Georgia, Florida and Ohio State last month.

“The recruiting process was a great experience,” Aguero said. “It was just a blessing. It was a dream come true.”

The Hurricanes currently have one defensive back committed in their 2023 class: four-star Melbourne native Robert Stafford. Miami currently has the No. 11 class in the nation, according to 247Sports’ rankings.