Georgia’s not going anywhere - and the rest of the college football world knows it. Fresh off another College Football Playoff appearance and an SEC Championship, the Bulldogs are doing what they’ve done best under Kirby Smart: reloading, not rebuilding.
According to ESPN’s latest evaluation of roster upgrades heading into the expanded 12-team playoff format, Georgia is one of six programs that not only made the 2025 CFP but also positioned themselves to be right back in the thick of it in 2026. That’s no surprise if you’ve been paying attention to how Smart continues to blend elite high school recruiting with savvy moves in the transfer portal.
Let’s start with the high school class - ranked No. 6 nationally - headlined by five-star Kaiden Prothro. At 6-foot-7, Prothro isn’t just a big target; he’s a matchup nightmare waiting to happen.
Georgia’s tight end room is losing Oscar Delp, and Prothro could slide in sooner rather than later. Whether he lines up as a traditional tight end, flexes out wide, or becomes a red-zone specialist, he gives Georgia a versatile weapon with sky-high upside.
But Smart didn’t stop there. Georgia’s also been active in the portal, targeting specific needs - particularly on defense.
Auburn transfer Amaris Williams brings a blend of raw athleticism and size off the edge. While his production hasn’t popped yet, the tools are there, and Georgia’s coaching staff has a strong track record of developing defensive linemen into game-wreckers.
In the secondary, Georgia added Clemson transfer Khalil Barnes, a battle-tested defensive back with 30 career starts under his belt. Barnes offers flexibility - he can play multiple spots in the defensive backfield - and helps address a unit that’s been looking to tighten things up on the back end.
All of this comes on the heels of a 12-2 campaign that saw Georgia win the SEC title and make a run to the CFP quarterfinals, ultimately falling short in the Sugar Bowl. But if history tells us anything, it’s that Georgia tends to come back sharper after a postseason loss. And with the roster shaping up the way it is, there’s every reason to believe the Bulldogs will be right back in contention.
Looking ahead to the 2026 slate, Georgia’s schedule is no cakewalk - but that’s par for the course in the SEC. The Bulldogs open the season on Sept. 5 at home against Tennessee State.
Then the real tests begin: a home showdown with No. 10 Oklahoma on Sept. 26, followed by road trips to No.
15 Alabama (Oct. 10) and No. 20 Ole Miss (Nov.
7). November doesn’t get any easier, with a home game against No.
17 Missouri (Nov. 14) and a tough road finale at No. 25 South Carolina (Nov.
21).
Bottom line: Georgia’s not just staying in the mix - they’re evolving. With another top-tier recruiting class, key portal additions, and a proven head coach who knows how to navigate both, the Bulldogs look like a team built for the long haul in the new playoff era.