Early transfer portal expectations for the Georgia Bulldogs – who could leave, and what holes need to be filled most this offseason
What are the areas that the Georgia Bulldogs most need to fill once the Transfer Portal opens up?
While the Georgia Bulldogs are gearing up for a College Football Playoff run, head coach Kirby Smart and his staff also need to prepare for the transfer portal opening on Jan. 2. While it is extremely poor timing, this is the reality of modern College Football. On the back end, this staff is working diligently to project this roster forward, understand where the weaknesses are, and also evaluate potential portal fits that could make sense.
While this is a very good Georgia roster, there are always some spots that need to get better. Here are some early needs that exist for the Bulldogs, and their most pressing issues. You can bet that Smart will do whatever it takes to make those improvements.
Improve the pass rush
As a team, Georgia has recorded just 20 sacks in the 13 games that the team has played. Your top-three leading sackers are all off-ball linebackers. That means that your defensive line is not getting to the quarterback enough, which is concerning for the defense. The Bulldogs must exhaust all their efforts to add some pass rushers when the portal opens. Georgia asks their defensive tackles to two-gap a ton and play at the point of attack, so the interior pressure isn’t my biggest concern. Finding impact players on the edge is.
Find a veteran wide receiver
In the wide receiver room, Georgia will be saying goodbye to Noah Thomas and Dillon Bell this offseason. There is also a chance that Zachariah Branch opts to enter the 2026 NFL Draft class, which could cause a massive overhaul out wide. They have some talented younger players who could step up, including Talyn Taylor and CJ Wiley, but that room is going to be mostly absent of veterans. Getting a difference maker with proven production would be massive for the offense. If that veteran brings some size to the table, that would be even better.
Reload the secondary
Georgia is going to be returning a couple of extremely talented secondary members heading into the 2026 season, including star safety KJ Bolden, as well as cornerbacks Ellis Robinson IV and Demello Jones. The team is, however, saying goodbye to starters Daylen Everette and JaCorey Thomas. Even with those veterans, this defensive back room needs to improve for the Bulldogs moving forward. Expect Georgia to keep their eyes open for potential difference makers on the back end.
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