In the high-stakes world of college football, where national titles and NFL draft picks make the headlines, the Georgia Bulldogs are also making waves in the classroom. On the weekend of May 9-10, 2025, 10 Georgia football players crossed the graduation stage, a milestone that shows how remarkable the guidance of coach Kirby Smart is.
While the Bulldogs’ on-field dominance, including two national championships and two SEC titles from 2021 to 2024, has been well known by all kinds of fans but their academic progress hasn’t been a focus for the program for a while.
Now, what Georgia has managed to quietly pull off off the field will have the eyes all turned back to the program’s academic discipline.
Georgia Bulldogs’ Academic Progress Rate Reveals a Surprising Trend Amid NIL Era and Off-Field Scrutiny
Georgia’s academic success is no small feat in the name, image, and likeness (NIL) era, where off-field distractions are everywhere. The Bulldogs’ Academic Progress Rate (APR), which is a key NCAA metric measuring student-athlete eligibility and retention, has been recorded to be extremely impressive this year for the program.
For the 2023-2024 academic year, Georgia posted a perfect APR of 1,000, which is the highest possible score. Their four-year APR average from 2020 to 2024 stands at 979, the best in program history since the NCAA began tracking APR in 2004-05.
Here are the teams for the 2025-26 FBS season ranked from 1 to 136 in Academic Progress Rate. Teams near the top may have a shot at a bowl if they hit 5 wins! pic.twitter.com/6bVNaeajWM
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) May 6, 2025
This marks a significant leap from their lowest APR of 950 two decades ago and even surpasses the program’s previous highs under Smart, whose first season in 2016 saw an APR of 961.
The program’s commitment to making sure their players are academically sound is evident in Georgia’s rigorous support system, which includes dedicated tutors and study halls tailored for student-athletes.
The 10 graduates this spring, whose names include standout players from the 2024 roster, reflect a culture that balances the demands of SEC football with academic achievements.
Overcoming Off-Field Noise
Georgia’s off-field challenges, including high-profile incidents involving player conduct, have drawn some criticism in recent years. Nevertheless, the program’s academics remain in a bright spot.
Smart’s staff has prioritized degree progress, with 90% of scholarship players from the 2020-2024 cohorts remaining eligible or graduating, per NCAA data. This focus has shielded the program from the APR pitfalls that plague less disciplined teams.
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Critics who point to Georgia’s middle-of-the-pack SEC APR ranking overlook the conference’s academic discipline. Big names like Alabama (987) and LSU (981) set a also set a high bar in the field, but Georgia’s upward trajectory, improving from 963 in 2016-2017 to 979 today, starves the doubters.
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