As the College Football Playoff kicks off, a handful of former Georgia Bulldogs are stepping into the national spotlight - this time wearing different colors. The transfer portal has reshaped rosters across the country, and five ex-Dawgs are now chasing a championship with new programs. Let’s break down who they are, where they’ve landed, and how they’ve performed heading into the postseason.
Bear Alexander - DT, Oregon (No. 5 Seed)
Oregon’s defensive front has been bolstered by the arrival of Bear Alexander, and the big man in the middle has made his presence felt. In 12 games this season, Alexander has stacked up 45 total tackles, six tackles for loss, a shared sack, two fumble recoveries, a pass breakup, and five quarterback hurries. That’s the kind of disruptive production you want from a guy anchoring your interior.
Alexander’s path to Eugene was a winding one. After transferring from Georgia to USC ahead of the 2023 season, he spent a year with the Trojans before making the jump to Oregon. His 2024 stint at USC was brief - just three games, five tackles, and a QB hurry - but it was clear he still had the tools that made him a coveted recruit.
Back in 2022 at Georgia, Alexander flashed his upside in a loaded Bulldogs defense. He played in 12 games, notching nine tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, and 13 quarterback hurries.
His breakout moment came on the biggest stage - the national title game against TCU - where he racked up two tackles for loss and a sack in Georgia’s dominant 65-7 win. That performance hinted at the kind of player he could become.
Now, with the Ducks in the CFP, he has another chance to shine under the brightest lights.
Marvin Jones Jr. - EDGE, Oklahoma (No. 8 Seed)
Oklahoma’s pass rush has gotten a boost from Marvin Jones Jr., who’s been a rotational piece with some impact moments. In 12 games this season, Jones Jr. has 20 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, a pass breakup, and three quarterback hurries.
Jones has taken the scenic route through college football. After transferring from Georgia to Florida State in 2023, he spent a season with the Seminoles, where he started nine games and posted 25 tackles, six tackles for loss, four sacks, and a forced fumble. That production earned him another shot elsewhere, and he landed in Norman for 2025.
At Georgia in 2022, Jones was a depth piece on a stacked defense, playing in 12 games and recording 12 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, a strip sack, and a fumble recovery. Now with the Sooners, he’s part of a defense looking to slow down Alabama’s offense in a marquee first-round matchup.
Carson Beck - QB, Miami (No. 10 Seed)
One of the most high-profile transfers in this year’s playoff field is Carson Beck, now leading the charge for Miami. The former Georgia starter has been the engine of the Hurricanes’ offense, putting together an impressive 2025 campaign.
In 12 starts, Beck has completed 263 of 351 passes for 3,072 yards and 25 touchdowns, with 10 interceptions. He’s also added 39 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Beck’s resume at Georgia was nothing short of prolific. He started 13 games in 2024, throwing for 3,485 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 12 picks.
Over his career with the Bulldogs, Beck made 27 starts and left Athens with 7,912 passing yards and 58 touchdown passes - both marks ranking sixth in program history. His 628 career completions are fourth all-time at Georgia, and his 68.0% completion rate tops the list among Bulldog QBs with significant reps.
Only Jake Fromm had a lower interception percentage, and Beck’s 156.4 passer rating ranks just behind Stetson Bennett and Aaron Murray.
Now in Coral Gables, Beck brings that experience and production to a Miami team hoping to make a deep playoff run.
Texas A&M Trio - Sam M’Pemba, Julio Humphrey, Jared Zirkel (No. 7 Seed)
Texas A&M is bringing a heavy dose of Georgia DNA into the postseason with three former Bulldogs on the roster.
Sam M’Pemba, an edge rusher, has appeared in three games for the Aggies this season and made the most of limited snaps - two tackles, a sack, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. He transferred to A&M this offseason after a quiet 2024 at Georgia, where he played in four games without registering a stat. In 2023, he saw action in 10 games and recorded six tackles.
Julio Humphrey, a cornerback, has been a steady contributor in the Aggies’ secondary. He’s played in 10 games this season, tallying seven tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a pass breakup.
Humphrey transferred this offseason after three years in Athens. In 2024, he started 10 games for Georgia, posting 10 tackles and four pass breakups.
The year before, he logged 11 tackles and a breakup in nine games. He also saw limited action in 2022.
Jared Zirkel, the Aggies’ placekicker, has been dependable when called upon. He’s hit 4-of-5 field goal attempts and 19-of-20 extra points in seven games.
On kickoffs, he’s sent 13 of 21 for touchbacks, with one going out of bounds. Zirkel’s kicking resume is extensive - in 2024, he had 69 kickoffs with 44 touchbacks and two out of bounds.
In 2023, he had 67 touchbacks on 103 kickoffs, and in 2022, he was perfect on six kickoffs and made a short field goal. He also saw limited action in 2021 and redshirted in 2020.
The Bigger Picture
Georgia’s fingerprints are all over this year’s College Football Playoff - even if the Bulldogs themselves aren’t in the final bracket. These former Dawgs have taken different paths, but they all bring championship pedigree to their new teams. Whether it’s a quarterback trying to lead Miami back to glory, a disruptive lineman anchoring Oregon’s defense, or a trio of contributors at Texas A&M, these players are proof that talent developed in Athens travels well.
With the CFP set to kick off, keep an eye on these familiar names in new uniforms. Their journeys may have taken them away from Georgia, but the impact they could make on college football’s biggest stage is still very much in play.