Rival Clash: 5-Star TE Kaiden Prothro Sending Georgia, Florida Mixed Signals
The college football recruiting world is buzzing as 5-star tight end Kaiden Prothro continues to keep fans and coaches guessing. The elite prospect from Birmingham, Alabama, has both Georgia and Florida in suspense, as he sends mixed signals about where his future may lie. With national signing day months away, Prothro’s recruitment is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable—and dramatic—battles in the 2025 class.
At 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds, Prothro is a matchup nightmare: too fast for linebackers and too strong for defensive backs. His combination of athleticism, soft hands, and blocking ability has made him the top tight end in the nation, and a priority target for nearly every top Power Five program. But it’s Georgia and Florida who have emerged as the final contenders—and the rivalry between the two SEC powerhouses has only added fuel to the fire.
Prothro visited Gainesville in early June, and by all accounts, the visit went exceptionally well. He posed for photos with head coach Billy Napier, met with the offensive staff, and was seen bonding with Florida QB commit DJ Daniels. A few days later, Prothro posted on social media: “Gator Nation… y’all different 🐊🔥”, sparking waves of optimism among Florida fans who believed they had turned the corner.
But just two weeks later, Prothro was in Athens, taking in Georgia’s elite camp and spending significant time with Bulldogs tight ends coach Todd Hartley—the architect behind the rise of Brock Bowers. After his visit, Prothro tweeted: “Business trip to the ‘Dawgs den… elite culture. #GoDawgs 🐶”, igniting confidence in Bulldog circles that the reigning SEC champs were now the frontrunners.
Since then, Prothro has kept his recruitment tightly guarded, declining interviews and refusing to name a true leader. Sources close to the situation say that while Prothro is “genuinely torn,” he’s enjoying the process and understands the significance of his decision—not just for himself, but for the programs involved.
Both Georgia and Florida offer unique advantages. Georgia can point to a proven track record of developing tight ends into NFL-ready stars, a dominant offensive line, and a system that thrives on tight end usage. Florida, on the other hand, offers a more immediate path to playing time and an opportunity to be a foundational piece in the Gators’ offensive rebuild.
Recruiting analysts are split. Some believe Georgia holds the edge due to its tight end tradition and SEC dominance, while others think Florida’s personal touch and aggressive recruitment strategy may ultimately win out. One SEC recruiter noted, “This one may not be decided until the very last week. He’s keeping everyone on their toes.”
With Prothro expected to announce his decision in December, fans from both programs are holding their breath. In a rivalry already steeped in passion, the Kaiden Prothro saga has added another layer of intensity—and drama—that could echo into SEC Saturdays for years to come.
