The Georgia Bulldogs are making strategic moves this offseason, bringing in four defensive backs from the transfer portal to strengthen their secondary. With the hope that this new crop will outperform last year's transfers, the Bulldogs are looking to make a significant impact on the field this fall.
Joining the cornerback lineup are Gentry Williams from Oklahoma and Braylon Conley from USC, while Khalil Barnes from Clemson and Ja’Marley Riddle from East Carolina will add depth to the safety position. All four players come in as three-star prospects, with Barnes, Riddle, and Williams having one year of eligibility left, and Conley bringing three years to the table.
The Bulldogs are banking on these transfers to support a secondary led by rising junior safety KJ Bolden, redshirt sophomore cornerback Ellis Robinson, and junior cornerback Demello Jones. After a less than stellar 2025 season in the portal, Georgia is keen on turning things around.
Last season, the Bulldogs added safeties Adrian Maddox, Jaden Harris, and Zion Branch, but the results were mixed. Maddox and Harris saw limited action and have since moved on to Kansas State and Kansas, respectively. Branch, though a solid run defender, struggled in coverage after stepping in for the injured Kyron Jones.
With the secondary losing key players like Joenel Aguero and Daniel Harris, Georgia turned back to the portal. Khalil Barnes stands out as a potential game-changer.
An Athens native, Barnes brings a wealth of experience from Clemson, where he started 30 games and earned freshman All-American honors in 2023. His versatility and communication skills could be crucial, especially with Rasean Dinkins likely stepping into the STAR position.
Ja’Marley Riddle made his mark at ECU with impressive stats, including 70 tackles and three interceptions in 13 games. Gentry Williams, despite battling shoulder injuries, showed promise in his last full season with 30 tackles and three interceptions. Braylon Conley, though he lost his starting role at USC, still contributed with 14 tackles and a forced fumble.
While Williams and Conley might initially provide depth, Georgia's willingness to adjust their cornerback rotation means opportunities could arise. At safety, competition is expected, with Demello Jones likely leading the charge alongside Bolden. Barnes and Riddle will have their chance to shine during spring and summer sessions.
For the Bulldogs, the stakes are high. With aspirations to advance beyond the quarterfinals in the College Football Playoff, they need these transfers to step up and solidify a previously vulnerable secondary. A successful integration of these players could be the key to avoiding defensive pitfalls and achieving their goals in 2026.