With the transfer portal closed and NFL draft declarations finalized, Georgia’s 2026 roster is officially set. Head coach Kirby Smart now has a clear picture of what he’s working with on both sides of the ball-and there’s plenty to like, especially on defense.
Let’s start there. Even with key departures like linebacker CJ Allen and defensive lineman Christen Miller, this Georgia defense still looks like a unit capable of dominating.
The Bulldogs closed out the 2025 season playing some of their best football on that side of the ball-College Football Playoff loss notwithstanding-and they return a trio of rising stars in linebackers Chris Cole and Raylen Wilson, plus cornerback Ellis Robinson IV. That’s a foundation built to win in the SEC, and then some.
Georgia’s defense under Smart has always had a certain edge-physical, fast, and fundamentally sound-and this group looks ready to carry that torch. With talent at all three levels and a system that consistently maximizes it, the Bulldogs should once again be a nightmare for opposing offenses.
But if Georgia wants to take the next step in 2026, the offense will need to answer a few more questions.
Quarterback Gunner Stockton is back for his senior season after starting every game in 2025. He showed flashes of high-level play throughout the year, but consistency-especially down the stretch-was an issue. Still, his leadership and toughness haven’t gone unnoticed by his teammates.
“He’s putting his body on the line. He’s taking crazy hits pretty much every game, and he’s getting up because he loves the team,” wide receiver Zachariah Branch said after Georgia’s loss to Ole Miss.
“That’s something that’s really important for us as an offense and as a team… he fought hard, and we just didn’t end up coming with a victory. But that’s my guy right there, man, and he’s going to continue to be successful.”
If Stockton can take a step forward in 2026-cutting down on mistakes and stringing together more efficient performances-Georgia’s offense could find the balance it needs.
Helping him out will be a talented backfield, arguably one of the Bulldogs’ biggest strengths heading into next season. Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens return, giving Georgia a powerful one-two punch that can take some pressure off the passing game. A strong ground game has long been a staple of Smart’s teams, and with those two leading the charge, that tradition looks set to continue.
In the passing game, though, there’s work to do. Georgia is losing six of its top seven wide receivers from last season, including Branch.
That’s a big hit to the receiving corps, and while the addition of Isiah Canion via the transfer portal helps, the Bulldogs will need young talent to step up. Eyes will be on players like Talyn Taylor, Landon Roldan, and CJ Wiley to fill the void.
The offensive line is also undergoing some changes. The entire left side-Monroe Freeling and Micah Morris-is gone, which means new offensive line coach Phil Rauscher will have some shuffling to do.
The good news? There’s still experience in the room, and Georgia’s depth up front has been a strength in recent years.
If Rauscher can get this group to gel early, the offense should benefit in a big way.
And let’s not forget about offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. After a strong 2025 campaign that earned him Broyles Award finalist honors, he returns looking to build on that momentum. His ability to adapt and scheme around his personnel will be crucial, especially with new faces stepping into key roles.
Georgia didn’t go wild in the transfer portal-just three offensive additions in quarterback Bryson Beaver, running back Dante Dowdell, and Canion-but that speaks to the confidence Smart has in the players already in the program. Beaver isn’t expected to factor heavily into the quarterback competition with Stockton entrenched as the starter, but Dowdell adds depth behind Frazier and Bowens.
All in all, this is a Georgia team that still has championship DNA. The defense looks ready to lead the way, and if the offense can find its rhythm-especially in the passing game-there’s no reason the Bulldogs can’t be right back in the thick of the national title conversation in 2026.