As the 2025 College Football Playoff looms, the spotlight naturally shifts to the players who could tilt the postseason in their team’s favor-not just the biggest names or stat leaders, but the true difference-makers. A recent ranking of the top 50 most impactful players in this year’s CFP highlighted several key contributors, with Georgia placing three standouts on the list. And while safety KJ Bolden was surprisingly left out, there’s no question the Bulldogs are bringing some serious firepower into the postseason.
Let’s break down Georgia’s trio of CFP impact players-and why each of them could be pivotal in the Dawgs’ pursuit of another national title.
Zachariah Branch (WR/Return Specialist) - No. 33 Overall, No. 7 WR
If you’re looking for a sparkplug, Zachariah Branch is it. He’s not just a weapon-he’s a game-changer.
Branch has carved out a unique role in Georgia’s offense as an extension of the run game, catching passes near the line of scrimmage and turning them into chunk plays. His average of 8.1 yards after the catch tells the story: once the ball is in his hands, he’s a problem.
After a modest start to the season, Branch found his rhythm over the last seven games, averaging 6.6 catches and nearly 65 yards per contest. But it’s not just what he does as a receiver-Branch might be the most dangerous return man in the entire playoff field. His ability to flip field position or take one to the house is something opposing coaches have to game-plan around.
In 13 games, Branch leads Georgia with 73 receptions for 744 yards and five touchdowns. He’s also added value on the ground and in the return game, with 13 punt returns for 157 yards and 10 kick returns for 205 yards.
He’s just four catches away from breaking the school’s single-season reception record, a mark that’s stood since 1993. That kind of production, combined with his versatility, earned him preseason All-SEC honors as both a return specialist and all-purpose player.
If the Bulldogs are looking for a breakout postseason star, Branch is as good a bet as any.
Gunner Stockton (QB) - No. 24 Overall, No. 4 Among CFP QBs
Gunner Stockton’s journey to the starting job wasn’t quick, but it’s been worth the wait. Now a fourth-year junior, Stockton stepped into the spotlight and delivered, guiding Georgia to another SEC title behind a nine-game winning streak that followed an early stumble against Alabama.
Stockton’s numbers speak for themselves. He’s completed 70.7% of his passes (251-of-355) for 2,691 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just five interceptions.
Add in 442 rushing yards and a team-high eight rushing scores, and you’ve got one of the most balanced quarterbacks in the country. In fact, he’s the first Georgia QB to lead the team in rushing touchdowns since Frank Sinkwich did it back in 1942-on his way to a Heisman.
His QBR of 85.8 ranks sixth nationally, and he’s been battle-tested in big moments, delivering against the likes of Ole Miss, Texas, and Tennessee. Stockton’s decision-making has been a strength all season-his 1.40% interception rate is fifth-lowest in program history. Only a handful of Georgia greats-names like Zeier, Greene, Fromm, and Lambert-have been more efficient with the football in a single season.
A third-team All-SEC selection, Stockton doesn’t just manage the offense-he elevates it. And in the high-stakes environment of the CFP, that kind of poise and production under pressure is invaluable.
CJ Allen (LB) - No. 8 Overall, No. 2 Linebacker
If there’s a heart and soul to Georgia’s defense, it might be CJ Allen. The sophomore linebacker has been a force in the middle, combining sideline-to-sideline range with physicality and football IQ.
He leads the team in total tackles (85) and tackles for loss (8), and he’s second in sacks (3.5). But the stat sheet doesn’t capture everything Allen brings to the field.
He’s been disruptive in coverage-contesting seven of 16 targets-and has added four pass breakups, two QB hurries, and two forced fumbles. Simply put, Allen is always around the football.
And he’s done it all while battling through adversity. Allen injured his knee during Georgia’s Week 12 win over Texas, missed the following game against Charlotte, but came back strong against Georgia Tech and Alabama. In the SEC Championship Game, he notched five tackles, a QB hurry, and a pass breakup in a dominant 28-7 win over the Crimson Tide.
Allen’s combination of toughness, instincts, and leadership makes him a player to watch in the postseason-and one of the key reasons Georgia’s defense remains among the nation’s elite.
Final Word
Georgia enters the College Football Playoff with championship pedigree and plenty of star power, but it’s the impact of players like Zachariah Branch, Gunner Stockton, and CJ Allen that could ultimately determine how far the Dawgs go this postseason. Each brings a different dimension-explosiveness, efficiency, and physicality-but together, they form a core that’s capable of carrying Georgia back to the top of the mountain.
And if you're wondering whether any of them are ready for a postseason star turn? The answer is a resounding yes.