The transfer portal window has come and gone for Georgia football, and the Bulldogs were anything but passive. With eight new additions and 15 departures, nearly every position group felt the ripple effects-some more than others. Let’s take a position-by-position look at how the portal reshaped Georgia’s roster heading into 2026.
Quarterback: Bryson Beaver Joins the Fold
Georgia managed to keep its quarterback room intact while quietly making a strategic addition in Bryson Beaver, a freshman out of Oregon with four years of eligibility. Beaver steps in as a long-term project with upside, not an immediate replacement for Jared Curtis, but someone who adds depth and continuity to a position where stability is crucial. For a team with championship aspirations, this was a smart, forward-thinking move.
Running Back: Dowdell In, Robinson Out
The Bulldogs saw some turnover in the backfield, most notably with Roderick Robinson heading to UAB. That departure, along with the exits of Cash Jones and Josh McCray, opened the door for Georgia to bring in Dante Dowdell from Kentucky.
Dowdell offers a physical running style that mirrors what Georgia lost, giving Dell McGee another power back to work with. It’s a plug-and-play type of addition that helps keep the run game on solid footing.
Wide Receiver: Canion Crosses Enemy Lines
Georgia dipped into familiar territory and came out with a key offensive weapon, landing Christian Canion from in-state rival Georgia Tech. Canion arrives with the potential to make an immediate impact, much like Zachariah Branch did the year before.
Perhaps just as significant: Georgia didn’t lose a single wideout to the portal. With a young core still developing, the Bulldogs are betting on internal growth-and Canion’s playmaking-to elevate this group in 2026.
Tight End: A Departure That Made Sense
The tight end room saw one exit, with Pearce Spurlin transferring to Colorado State. This was less about depth loss and more about giving Spurlin a chance to continue his career after a medical retirement in Athens.
The real story here is retention. Todd Hartley kept his group intact, with Lawson Luckie, Jaden Reddell, Elyiss Williams, and Ethan Barbour all returning.
That’s a stacked room, and Georgia knows it.
Offensive Line: Some Losses, But No Panic
Georgia lost Bo Hughley to Colorado and KJ Smith to Georgia State, while Jamal Meriweather and Nyier Daniels remain in limbo. Of those names, Hughley and Meriweather had been in the program for three years but didn’t have a clear path to starting in 2026.
The bigger question is whether Georgia should’ve added a veteran tackle from the portal, especially with Monroe Freeling off to the NFL. But the reality is, high-end offensive tackles in the portal are few and far between-and even fewer are plug-and-play SEC-ready.
Georgia’s betting on its development pipeline here.
Defensive Line: A Big-Time Addition
Georgia made a splash up front with the addition of a high-impact defensive lineman-arguably the best portal pickup of the cycle for the Bulldogs. He’ll slot in alongside Gabe Harris, Joseph Jonah-Ajonye, and others to form a deep and disruptive unit.
Just as importantly, Georgia held on to its core group. Continuity plus a blue-chip addition?
That’s how you build dominance in the trenches.
Outside Linebacker: Youth Movement in Full Swing
While Georgia did lose CJ Jones and Samuel Modozie-both of whom saw the field in 2025-the Bulldogs aren’t sweating it. Neither was expected to overtake Quintavius Johnson for the starting job, and with three highly touted edge rushers coming in via the 2025 recruiting class, Georgia is leaning into its youth. The upside here is real, and the staff clearly believes in what’s coming next.
Inside Linebacker: Quiet, But Strong
No portal movement here, but that’s not a bad thing. Georgia did lose CJ Allen to the NFL, but the retention of Chris Cole, Justin Williams, and Zayden Walker is a huge win.
This trio gives Georgia one of the most athletic and instinctive linebacker groups in the country. Glenn Schumann’s unit remains a strength, even without adding new faces.
Defensive Back: A Complete Overhaul
If there was one area where the portal left its mark the most, it’s the secondary. Georgia lost five defensive backs-three safeties and two corners-including Joenel Aguero (Ole Miss) and Dominick Kelly (Ohio State). Aguero was a key contributor in 2025, and Kelly’s departure might sting the most given his upside.
But Georgia didn’t sit still. The Bulldogs responded by adding four new defensive backs: Gentry Williams (Oklahoma), Ja’Marley Riddle (ECU), Braylon Conley (USC), and Khalil Barnes (Clemson).
Riddle and Conley bring multiple years of eligibility, while Williams and Barnes are expected to help right away. It’s a calculated reload, not just a reaction.
Final Thoughts
Georgia’s transfer portal strategy this cycle was about selective upgrades and smart retention. They didn’t chase headlines-they filled needs, reinforced depth, and positioned themselves to develop from within. There were some notable exits, sure, but the Bulldogs came out of the portal window with a roster that’s still built to compete at the highest level.
The 2026 season is shaping up to be another run at the top, and Georgia’s portal moves-measured, intentional, and impact-driven-are a big reason why.