With the 2025 college football season in the books, the attention now shifts to the 2026 NFL Draft - and if Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest Big Board is any indication, Georgia is once again set to make some serious noise.
Kiper has two Bulldogs cracking his top 25 prospects, headlined by linebacker CJ Allen at No. 22 overall and third among off-ball linebackers. And if you’ve watched Allen play, that ranking checks out. He’s the kind of linebacker today’s NFL craves - a true three-down defender who can do it all.
Allen’s game is built on instincts and versatility. He reads plays quickly, reacts even faster, and brings a physical edge that jumps off the screen.
Against the run, he doesn’t just take on blocks - he sheds them with authority and closes with speed. As a blitzer, he’s got the kind of suddenness that can ruin a quarterback’s day.
And in coverage? He’s no liability.
With nine pass breakups and a pick over the last two seasons, Allen has shown he can drop back and hold his own against tight ends and running backs alike.
His production backs up the tape. Allen started all 12 games this season and led Georgia in tackles with 85.
He added 8 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, an interception, 11 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. That kind of stat line doesn’t happen by accident.
It’s the result of a player who’s constantly around the ball and always making an impact. His efforts earned him First Team All-American honors from the FWAA, and Second Team nods from both the AFCA and Walter Camp.
He was also a finalist for the Butkus Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy, and a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award and Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year - a testament to both his on-field dominance and off-field leadership.
On the offensive side, another Georgia standout making waves is wide receiver and return specialist Branch. While he may not have the prototypical size scouts drool over, he more than makes up for it with elite speed and explosiveness.
A former USC transfer, Branch brings a track athlete’s burst to the football field - and it shows. He’s electric in space and plays the game at a different tempo than most defenders can handle.
Branch averaged a staggering 7.9 yards after the catch per reception, showcasing his ability to turn a routine play into a highlight. He’s also a problem in the return game, averaging 20.5 yards per kickoff return and 12.07 yards per punt return - making him one of the most dynamic all-purpose threats in the country.
In 14 games, he racked up 81 catches for 811 yards and six touchdowns, setting a new single-season program record for receptions. He added seven rushing yards and earned All-SEC Second Team honors, along with Third Team recognition at both wide receiver and all-purpose player from SEC coaches.
Georgia’s depth doesn’t stop there. Kiper’s positional rankings are dotted with Bulldogs, signaling another strong draft class coming out of Athens.
Tight end Oscar Delp is ranked No. 4 among H-backs, while Monroe Freeling checks in at No. 5 among offensive tackles. On the defensive front, Christen Miller is No. 5 among defensive tackles.
And when it comes to special teams, Georgia leads the pack - punter Brett Thorson is Kiper’s top-ranked punter, and Beau Gardner holds the No. 1 spot among long snappers.
It’s a testament to the program Kirby Smart has built - one that doesn’t just reload, but consistently develops NFL-ready talent across the board. Georgia may not match the historic heights of its 2022 draft class, but make no mistake: the Bulldogs are once again primed to make a major impact come April.