It’s a new year, but the same old Georgia Bulldogs are still hanging around the top of the college football mountain, and they’re doing it with swagger. Even with over 30 players gone and a reshuffled roster, Kirby Smart’s crew isn’t going anywhere.
If anything, their position in our latest 2025 College Football Power Rankings shows that this program isn’t built to dip—it’s built to reload. So, how exactly is Georgia still considered a national powerhouse despite so many moving parts?
Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs Are Built to Withstand the Storm
Let’s address the elephant in the room — or rather, in this case — not in the room. With Carson Beck transferring out after leading Georgia to an 11–3 record and an SEC Championship in 2024, some wondered if the Bulldogs would stumble.
The boys are back.#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/1opFvb0Cu9
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) May 28, 2025
However, despite the loss to Notre Dame, redshirt sophomore Gunner Stockton stepped up big-time in the Sugar Bowl and has kept the momentum rolling throughout spring and summer. Stockton isn’t filling shoes, though. He’s attempting to reshape the offense with his legs, arms, and confidence. That’s why they are coming in at No. 9 in our rankings.
Offensively, the roster looks to be a full reload. Tight end Oscar Delp returns as a reliable target, but it’s the new additions that really make this offense feel electric. Transfers Zachariah Branch (USC) and Noah Thomas (Texas A&M) bring speed, elite route-running, and highlight-reel potential to the wide receiver room.
Meanwhile, Nate Frazier, a top-ranked 2024 running back recruit, is expected to split time with Branson Robinson, creating a thunder-and-lightning backfield built for SEC punishment.
The offensive line, despite losing two starters to the draft, remains one of the most well-coached units in college football. With a mix of returning experience and former five-star recruits stepping into bigger roles, there’s confidence in their ability to protect Stockton and bulldoze defenses in typical Georgia fashion.
Georgia’s defense may have seen several key players bolt for the NFL, but that hasn’t changed the unit’s DNA one bit. Defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann has crafted another nasty, hard-hitting squad, anchored by returning veteran Christen Miller on the line and loaded with young stars ready to make their mark.
Remember these names: Elijah Griffin and KJ Bolden—two five-star studs from the 2024 class who are expected to be immediate game-changers. Griffin is a wrecking ball at defensive end, and Bolden’s versatility in the secondary gives Schumann the flexibility to get creative with blitzes and coverage schemes.
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At linebacker, Raylen Wilson and Chris Cole bring sideline-to-sideline speed and aggression that fits the “Junkyard Dawgs” mentality perfectly. Georgia’s front seven isn’t just good—it might be terrifying by midseason. Even with new faces, it’s the same suffocating brand of defense that’s become a staple in Athens.
The 2025 season won’t offer any breathers, and Georgia wouldn’t have it any other way. Matchups against Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, and Ole Miss headline a brutal SEC stretch. But if any team’s built for that kind of pressure cooker, it’s this one.
Thanks to college football’s updated 12-team playoff format, there’s a bit more room for error, but Georgia isn’t aiming for “just get in.” They’re gunning for a first-round bye and another SEC crown. Every game on their schedule is a chance to prove that this team, despite its youth and turnover, is still built to win it all.
Recruiting remains elite. The 2025 class is loaded, the 2026 class is already ranked No. 2 nationally, and Kirby Smart has turned Athens into the place where five-star dreams come true. It’s not just the players—they’ve built a culture of expectation. Every position battle is a headline, and every practice feels like a playoff prep.
So yes, the Bulldogs look a little different this year. The roster’s younger, the names have changed, and the quarterback isn’t a household name—yet. But if you think Georgia’s falling off, you haven’t been paying attention.
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