McKeesport’s Kemon Spell commits to Georgia

By: Paul Schofield
Monday, February 2, 2026 | 4:18 PM

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McKeesport junior running back Kemon Spell is headed to one of the powers of the SEC.

Spell committed to Georgia on Monday, according to reports by Rivals and ESPN.

The five-star recruit is the top-ranked running back in the 2027 class. He is a marquee addition to coach Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs.

The 5-foot-10 running back originally committed to Penn State in August 2024. When Penn State fired coach James Franklin after a 3-3 start, Spell reopened his recruiting in October. He chose the Bulldogs over the Nittany Lions, Notre Dame, Miami and Ohio State, among others.

He is the 13th-ranked junior nationally by ESPN.

Despite missing five games with an injury, Spell rushed for 1,755 yards and scored 32 touchdowns, including on kick and punt returns.

“I had to lead by example no matter what, whether I was playing or not playing,” Spell said after the season.

“I’m teaching (teammates) on the sideline how to form tackle,” Spell said. “I’m on the sideline using a roller on guys that are cramping up. Bringing the water out on the (field). Trying to tell them what to do on each play. Doing the things I could do.”

He ran for 1,681 yards and 24 touchdowns as a sophomore and gained 517 yards on just 37 carries and had 12 touchdowns as a freshman.

Spell led McKeesport to the WPIAL championship game for a third straight season. The Tigers lost to Aliquippa, 21-12, in the finals.

“He can do every move that he has in fifth gear,” McKeesport coach Matt Miller said late in the season. “He doesn’t slow down to make a cut. He doesn’t slow down to make a spin move. And on top of that, he’s 210 pounds and runs a 4.38 (second time in the) 40. He’s a power running back and a shifty running back, but he has breakaway speed.”

Fox Chapel senior kicker Harran Zureikat also committed to Georgia as part of its recruiting class for 2026 and signed during the early period in December.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: McKeesport