The Georgia Bulldogs and head coach Kirby Smart have infused a bunch of youth into the roster this offseason. Georgia added 22 early enrollees and six experienced transfers via the portal this winter. More talent is slated to join the Dawgs this summer and fall.
One of Kirby Smart’s primary goals in spring practice is to expand the depth of the roster. Georgia has an immense amount of talent, but is integrating a lot of new pieces into the team. About a third of Georgia’s roster left the team via the transfer portal or NFL draft this offseason. However, Georgia also returns several seniors like quarterback Carson Beck, offensive guard Tate Ratledge and defensive tackle Nazir Stackhouse.
“So we want to find out where we are as a team and get a lot of guys reps,” said Smart. “We’re kind of where we got guys that have got a lot of work and a lot of reps – fifth-year and fourth-year guys – and then we’ve got about 40 guys who are in their first year. So the discrepancy between old and young is really great.”
Just how much of a gap is there is the experience in Georgia’s roster? We look at what class every player on Georgia’s roster is in following the Bulldogs’ spring game.
Freshmen: 23
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Georgia’s roster has 22 early enrollees on it right now. The Bulldogs are adding six freshmen this summer, which will increase this total to at least 29, which does not include summer walk-ons. Georgia signed the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class in the 2024 cycle.
Redshirt Freshmen: 18
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Of Georgia’s 18 redshirt freshmen, the Bulldogs have seven players that were signed as scholarship players in the class of 2023. Georgia brought in one redshirt freshman transfers (Xzavier McLeod from South Carolina). The rest of Georgia’s 10 redshirt freshmen are walk-ons.
Sophomore: 16
Online Athens
Georgia football signed the nation’s No. 2 recruiting class in the 2023 cycle. Three class of 2023 signees have transferred to other schools. One player, tight end Pearce Spurlin, has medically retired. 15 of Georgia’s 16 sophomores were members of the 2023 signing class. The lone exception is Vanderbilt transfer London Humphreys.
Redshirt Sophomore: 21
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Georgia has 21 redshirt sophomores including several that suffered serious injuries. One scholarship transfer, Alabama’s Jake Pope, is a redshirt sophomore. Seven signees as members of the class of 2022 are redshirt sophomores. One of Georgia’s class of 2022 signees, linebacker C.J. Washington, had to medically retire.
Juniors: 23
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Georgia football has 14 scholarship juniors. This number includes Florida transfer running back Trevor Etienne. Georgia’s juniors will be eligible for the 2025 NFL draft following the 2024 college football season.
Seniors: 20
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Georgia has 15 scholarship seniors including four transfers. Not every Georgia senior will necessarily have to leave after the fall. For example, Georgia quarterback Carson Beck did not lose eligibility in 2020 due to COVID-19 and 2021 because he only played in four games (redshirt season). Beck could technically return in 2024.
Included in the number of scholarship seniors is offensive lineman Chad Lindberg, who entered the transfer portal. Georgia is bringing in another transfer in former Stanford tight end Benjamin Yurosek, who was not included in the 15 scholarships.
