Fall camp is almost here, and with it comes the first real feel for what Georgia might look like this season. On Friday, David Pollack added a little fuel to the conversation, saying a true freshman is pushing hard to be in the starting lineup in Week 1.
That freshman is offensive lineman Zykie Helton, and Pollack believes he could be a starter for Georgia this season. For a true freshman, that’s a major climb - especially on the offensive line in the SEC, where it can take a couple of years before a player is ready to handle that level.
Helton came out of high school as a three-star recruit, so if he ends up starting in his first college game, that would be no small accomplishment.
Before that camp talk starts taking over, Georgia also appears close to adding a key piece to its 2027 recruiting class. Four-star defensive back Adryan Cole is expected to announce his commitment on Saturday, July 18, and Georgia is the team to watch. Both 247Sports and On3 have predicted the Bulldogs will land him, with the decision set for 4:30 pm EST.
Cole is the No. 166 overall player in the country and the No. 15 player in Georgia, so this would be more than just another commitment. It would give Georgia an in-state defensive back with real national standing, and it would also fill a current hole in the 2027 class, where the Bulldogs do not yet have a defensive back committed.
That situation looked different not long ago, when Georgia had two top-100 defensive backs in the class. Both have since flipped elsewhere.
There was also a setback on Friday with another highly regarded in-state defensive back. Ta’Shawn Poole, the highest-ranked uncommitted prospect in Georgia, announced for Florida State over Georgia and Tennessee. Poole is ranked No. 64 nationally and No. 5 in the state, so this was a strong pull for the Seminoles.
On paper, Poole ranks a little higher than Cole, which makes the miss sting a bit more. Still, Georgia is in position to add Cole, and that would soften the blow.
And as always, the rankings only tell part of the story. Kirby Smart has built a reputation for developing talent, so a three-star like Helton turning into a Week 1 starter is exactly the kind of example that keeps Georgia fans from worrying too much about the numbers next to a recruit’s name.
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Stetson Bennetts Rams Future Suddenly Feels Far Less Secure
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The Rams only added to that uncertainty by spending a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Ty Simpson, a move that says plenty about how they view the position. Bennetts role now feels unsettled, and with free agency looming next offseason, the coming months could determine whether he finally carves out a real place in Los Angeles or winds up needing a fresh start somewhere else. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Fans Are Bracing For Another Brutal Portal Setback
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There is also growing unease around another transfer addition, with unconfirmed rumors circulating about a separate injury situation and no official word yet from the football program. Until Georgia clarifies what happened, the uncertainty hangs over a room that was supposed to add stability, and it leaves fans waiting to see whether the latest portal news turns into another long-term loss. [Read more 🡒]