The 2025-26 season didn’t end with confetti falling on Georgia’s heads in the national title game, but when you’ve built a program with “championship or bust” expectations like Kirby Smart has in Athens, anything short of a ring feels like a letdown. That said, let’s not lose sight of what the Bulldogs did accomplish: a 12-2 record, another SEC title, and a roster full of players who not only met expectations but in several cases, blew right past them.
Now, four Bulldogs have earned spots on ESPN’s Top 100 players list for the season - and three of them weren’t even on the radar when the year kicked off. Let’s break down who made the cut, how they got there, and why their performances mattered in a season that still reminded everyone why Georgia remains one of college football’s elite programs.
CB Daylen Everette - No. 72
Daylen Everette wasn’t on the preseason Top 100 list, but by season’s end, he left no doubt that he belonged. The senior cornerback saved some of his best work for the biggest moments, starting with a clutch interception of Alabama’s Ty Simpson in the SEC Championship - a play that helped seal a dominant 28-7 win and put the Dawgs back on top of the conference.
Then came the College Football Playoff quarterfinals against Ole Miss, where Everette scooped up a fumble and took it to the house. That’s the kind of momentum-shifting play that sticks in scouts’ minds, and it’s no surprise he’s climbing up NFL Draft boards.
He finished the season with 49 tackles and eight pass breakups - solid numbers, but it was the timing and impact of his plays that truly defined his final year in Athens. Everette turned into the kind of shutdown presence Georgia needed on the back end, and his rise was a big reason the Dawgs’ defense remained one of the nastiest units in the country.
QB Gunner Stockton - No. 64
Gunner Stockton had a lot of eyes on him heading into his first full season as Georgia’s starting quarterback - and he delivered. The former high school star from Tiger, Georgia, proved he wasn’t just a local legend. He was a gamer.
Stockton led the Bulldogs to an SEC title and did it with a blend of toughness, poise, and a willingness to take hits and keep firing. He threw for 2,894 yards and 24 touchdowns, posting an impressive 84.9 QBR - all while taking his fair share of punishment behind center. Every time he got knocked down, he got back up and kept the offense moving.
He wasn’t ranked in the Top 100 coming into the year, but by the end of it, he looked every bit the part of a quarterback who can lead a national title contender. With Stockton at the helm, Georgia’s offense is in steady hands heading into 2026.
WR Zachariah Branch - No. 59
Zachariah Branch came to Athens with sky-high expectations after transferring from USC - and somehow, he still managed to exceed them.
The junior wideout was electric all season long. His combination of quick-twitch explosiveness and top-end speed gave Georgia a vertical threat they haven’t had in a while. Whether it was taking a screen pass and turning it into a 40-yard gain or slipping behind the defense for a big play, Branch was the kind of weapon that forced defensive coordinators to stay up late.
He led the SEC with 81 receptions, racked up 811 yards, and found the end zone six times. And he did all of that in just one season in Athens.
Now, he’s firmly in the Day 1 NFL Draft conversation - and it’s easy to see why. Branch gave Georgia’s offense a jolt of playmaking juice, and his impact went far beyond the box score.
LB CJ Allen - No. 25
There’s a reason CJ Allen was the highest-ranked Bulldog on the list - he was the heart and soul of Georgia’s defense.
The middle linebacker played like a man possessed, showing off sideline-to-sideline range, high-level instincts, and the kind of versatility that made him a threat as a blitzer and in coverage. He didn’t just rack up stats - he set the tone.
What made Allen’s season even more impressive was how he battled back from a late-season lower leg injury. Not only did he rehab quickly, but he returned with the same edge and intensity that made him one of the most feared defenders in the SEC. That kind of toughness doesn’t go unnoticed in NFL circles - and it didn’t go unnoticed in the Georgia locker room either.
Allen’s leadership and production helped elevate a good defense into a dominant one down the stretch. He’s a consensus first-round draft pick for a reason - and the Dawgs will miss him dearly next season.
Notable Snubs
While four Bulldogs made the list, it’s hard to ignore a few names that didn’t. Offensive tackle Monroe Freeling was a rock up front all season, safety KJ Bolden brought versatility and physicality to the secondary, and running back Nate Frazier gave the backfield a dynamic spark. All three had seasons worthy of recognition - and their absence from the Top 100 is tough to justify.
Still, the takeaway is clear: Georgia continues to reload with elite talent, and even in a season that didn’t end with a national title, the Bulldogs proved they’re not going anywhere. The culture Kirby Smart has built doesn’t just demand excellence - it develops it. And as this year’s Top 100 list shows, plenty of Dawgs answered the call.