It’s hard to believe, but the same Georgia Bulldogs squad that ran roughshod over college football in 2021 and 2022, claiming back-to-back national titles, couldn’t even sniff the finals last season. After a crushing loss to Notre Dame knocked them out of the playoff race, Kirby Smart wasted no time licking his wounds. He went straight into roster overhaul mode, hauling in 28 high school recruits and just 10 transfers to craft a powerhouse lineup. Georgia’s 2025 recruiting class ranks second nationally and in the SEC. On paper, it’s a unit that screams dominance, yet national analysts still aren’t sold. Despite all the star power, Georgia’s playoff chances seem dim to at least one person.
Last season, the Bulldogs stumbled in unexpected places, like their loss to Ole Miss, but it’s still the same program that hasn’t posted fewer than 11 wins since Smart’s first year back in 2016. However, analyst Adam Breneman left the Bulldogs off his post-spring playoff prediction, which is nothing short of shocking for a team with Georgia’s pedigree.
Breneman’s list includes 12 teams, with Penn State topping the chart at 12-1, followed by Clemson at 12-1, Alabama at 11-2, and a surprising Texas Tech squad at 10-2. Behind them are Ohio State, Texas, LSU, and Oregon, all boasting double-digit win projections. Rounding out the list are the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at 10-2, South Carolina at 9-3, and UNLV at 12-1. Yet, not a single mention of the Bulldogs, despite their strong spring camp.
Maybe it’s the hangover from a down season, or perhaps it’s the uncertainty in the quarterback room. Long-time starter Carson Beck left for the Miami Hurricanes, chasing a big NIL payday, leaving Georgia without a clear-cut QB1. Gunner Stockton, the presumed starter, remains unproven, and that lack of established leadership under center might have Breneman second-guessing the Bulldogs’ chances. Or, it could just be an out-of-left-field call from Breneman himself. Well, for now, Georgia’s latest over/under is set at 9.5 wins, reflecting the cautious optimism surrounding the team. But with Kirby Smart’s 105-19 career record as head coach, missing the playoffs feels unlikely, and a national title run is almost a baseline expectation for this program. And for a team that just reloaded with elite talent, that’s quite a tough pill to swallow.
Georgia didn’t tiptoe into the transfer portal—they stormed it. With six front-seven starters off to the 2025 NFL Draft and four more transferring out, Smart had massive voids to plug. According to On3, the Bulldogs were “one of the biggest winners” of the spring transfer window, thanks in part to standout pickups like Army edge rusher Elo Modozie and Miami defensive tackle Josh Horton.
Modozie, known for his relentless motor and special teams impact—he blocked a punt and a field goal at Army—brings a spark to Georgia’s defensive front. While he still needs to refine his pad level, when he gets it right, he’s a force. Horton, on the other hand, offers a massive presence inside, and despite a limited stat sheet (four tackles and half a sack over two seasons), his upside is undeniable if he can stay healthy. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs also added Illinois power back Josh McCray to offset the loss of Trevor Etienne, pairing him with speedster Nate Frazier for a thunder-and-lightning backfield duo.
Georgia’s offensive line depth also got a serious upgrade with Waltclaire Flynn Jr., a four-time MaxPreps All-American transfer from UCF. Flynn, a former Grayson High standout, brings experience and physicality to the trenches, giving the Bulldogs a proven anchor. His 2023 second-team All-American nod and leadership in Grayson’s playoff run make him a crucial addition. But is it all smooth sailing from here?
Recruiting blow for Kirby Smart’s Georgia
Georgia fans got a brief jolt of excitement when the Bulldogs offered a scholarship to four-star linebacker Thomas Davis Jr., a top-200 recruit in the class of 2026 and the son of former Georgia All-American Thomas Davis. That kind of legacy connection can sometimes tip the scales, and many expected Davis Jr. to flip from his current commitment to Notre Dame. However, the excitement quickly fizzled. Just 48 hours after the offer, Davis Jr. made his stance clear: “I’m locked in with Notre Dame.” No drama, no hesitation—just a firm no from a player many expected to be a natural fit in Athens.
The sting of missing out on a legacy recruit is tough enough, but it’s even worse when that same school just knocked you out of playoff contention. With Georgia sitting at 7th in the 2026 recruiting class rankings, behind programs like Notre Dame, it’s clear Smart’s aggressive approach isn’t yielding immediate dividends.
The Bulldogs have eight commitments so far, putting them fourth in the SEC, while Marcus Freeman’s Irish already have 14 commits, sitting comfortably at fourth nationally. That’s a tough comparison for a program used to dominating the recruiting trail. However, the Bulldogs do have a major feather in their cap with the commitment of 2026’s top quarterback, Jared Curtis, which could still swing momentum in their favor as the cycle rolls on.
Despite Adam Breneman’s snub, it’s still early, and Georgia has plenty of time to change the narrative. Smart’s program has built a legacy on overcoming adversity, and with an entire summer camp ahead, there’s still a chance for the Bulldogs to force their way back into the playoff conversation. So, can Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs prove the doubters wrong, or has the national spotlight finally shifted away from Athens?
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