Kirby Smart makes strong statement on incoming Georgia Bulldogs transfers as spring practices kick off ahead of 2025 season
The Georgia Bulldogs will be replacing quite a bit of talent this season as they hope to get back to the College Football Playoff following an impressive SEC Championship season. As they always do, Georgia sent a ton of players to the 2025 NFL Draft, but then lost even more to the Transfer Portal. That […]
The Georgia Bulldogs will be replacing quite a bit of talent this season as they hope to get back to the College Football Playoff following an impressive SEC Championship season. As they always do, Georgia sent a ton of players to the 2025 NFL Draft, but then lost even more to the Transfer Portal. That suggests this 2025 Georgia team will see an extreme reliance on new faces and youth.
As Georgia Bulldogs' spring practices began Tuesday, Kirby Smart addressed some of the newcomers he's excited to see on both sides of the ball, making a strong statement about a few of them in particular.
Georgia Transfer Wide Receivers
Georgia doesn't always rely on a ton of transfer production at the wide receiver position, but they're going to this year with Zachariah Branch (USC) and Noah Thomas (Texas A&M) coming in. They both project as early favorites to be the starters alongside veteran Dillon Bell. London Humphreys and Sacovie White likely push for depth roles this spring too, with high pedigree freshman Talyn Taylor and CJ Wiley attempting to earn a shot at rotational roles.
When asked about the two transfers, Zachariah Branch and Noah Thomas, Kirby Smart didn't hold back the praise. He's already been impressed with both of them so far.
"I'm excited about both those guys. Both [Zachariah Branch and Noah Thomas] are really good players. Both have been successful in the organizations where they've been (USC and Texas A&M). They're both talented pass catchers which seems to be the largest turnover position there is. Outside of quarterback–that's the position that has the most transfers–receiver is probably next. Both those guys are high caliber athletics, but they're high caliber people, and I've enjoyed working with them…There's a culture and work ethic that's required to be successful here, and they've jumped right in and done a great job of that."
Noah Thomas and Zachariah Branch both sound like they're already becoming leaders, embracing the culture and work ethic necessary to succeed at Georgia, but as wide receivers on the field they couldn't be any different. Thomas is a 6'6", monster of a man at X wide receiver. Zachariah Branch is a 5'10" speedster who brings incredible YAC ability and explosion on special teams too.
Thomas should be the reliable red zone weapon, and if Zachariah Branch pans out like most expect, he should look different than everybody else on the football field on offense and in the return game (as you can see in the post below).
It's still early, but Georgia fans should expect to hear and see a lot of great things from both Thomas and Branch as spring practices continue.
Georgia Secondary Transfers
Smart was also asked about the Georgia Bulldogs secondary this year as they have some new impact players they'll need to lean on this year. Plus, Daylen Everette begins spring practices limited, so there should be plenty of opportunity for defensive backs to step up. Smart had this to say on his secondary:
"Daylen [Everette] will be limited for the spring. He's not out. He's out there working out now doing things and coming back from a sports hernia repair, but prognosis is great. He's doing things limited. He's moving around. He's being a great leader, all the things we expected. We had Dan [Jackson] and Malaki [Starks] leaving with a tremendous amount of snaps there. With those guys going out we needed to make sure we've got depth in the secondary. We signed some good young ones who are here now. And they're working with us, some in December. We were able to get the two guys out of the portal [Adrian Maddox and Jaden Harris] that we think are going to help us as well."
Adrian Maddox (UAB) and Jaden Harris (Miami) bring with them great experience, but Smart wouldn't go as far as to say that either one would earn significant roles this year. He just noted the need to "add depth" as safeties Dan Jackson and Malaki Starks have both left for the 2025 NFL Draft now.
Smart also made note of Zachariah Branch's brother, Zion, who has apparently been adding energy to workouts this spring. He may be fighting for some rotational snaps behind KJ Bolden at free safety this year too.
There's still plenty of time left for the depth chart to get sorted out for Georgia, but it seems the few additions the Bulldogs made via the Transfer Portal are already proving they're ready to compete and contribute for Coach Smart and his staff.
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We'll be back with more Georgia Bulldogs coverage here at A to Z Sports soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
And if you want to check out why Zachariah Branch might be an absolutely phenomenal breakout star for the Georgia Bulldogs just watch some of his highlights from his time at USC.
