With last season firmly in the rearview mirror, it is full-steam ahead to 2026 for the Georgia Bulldogs! Georgia enters this offseason as an undisputed top-10 team in the country. With the amount of talent they are retaining, it is probably closer to top-3 or top-5. That being said, there are still a handful of things many in Dawg Nation are uncertain about with next year's team. How will it all come together?
While Georgia has lost plenty to the 2026 NFL Draft, with guys like CJ Allen, Zachariah Branch, Monroe Freeling, and Christen Miller all slated to be top-64 picks in a worst-case scenario, key players like KJ Bolden, Drew Bobo, Nate Frazier, London Humphreys, Gunner Stockton, and Raylen Wilson will be back in Red and Black next season. Can these guys take the next step to greatness?
So what we are going to do today is look at the three biggest questions many Georgia fans may have about the state of this team as January finally begins to wind down. Spring semester is underway. Even though we are due for some nasty weather across the southeast this weekend, spring ball will be here before we know it. Will Georgia be ready for the challenge of getting back to title contention?
Without further ado, here are the three biggest questions Georgia fans are wondering right now...
3. Has Kirby Smart done enough to offset losing so many wide receivers?
One of the biggest areas of strength of last year's team was the depth of its receiving corps. It was built like a basketball team, one that could exploit any secondary or defensive back-seven it came across. Unfortunately, key pass-catchers such as Dillon Bell, Zachariah Branch, Oscar Delp, Noah Thomas, and Colbie Young are off to the NFL. Outside of London Humphreys, who all is still around?
No doubt about it, next fall will be a big opportunity for Humphreys and tight end Lawson Luckie to shine. Will others like Talyn Taylor, Sacovia White-Helton, and tight end Elyiss Williams rise to the occasion? While Georgia's best addition in the transfer portal so far is former Georgia Tech wideout Isiah Canion, will that be enough to offset what Georgia lost off what was a strong receiving corps?
Key pieces will have to step up, but it does not look like Georgia has appropriately backfilled either...
2. Will Glenn Schumann's defense be able to generate a pass rush at all?
To be totally honest, last year's team was both well-coached, but totally green. Yes, there were seasoned players at key position groups, namely in the receiving corps and along the offensive line. That being said, the season-long weakness for last year's team was its perpetually toothless pass rush. It was like all of the sacks Georgia usually ends up getting made their way to the Atlanta Falcons.
In the end, Glenn Schumann's defense not being able to bring Trinidad Chambliss to the turf in the Sugar Bowl is what let this team down. While Georgia's best addition in the transfer portal on the defensive side of the ball is former Auburn edge rusher Amaris Williams, it remains to be seen who else is going to get after the passer in Athens next year. This defense could be led by its secondary.
Williams has to be immensely productive upon arrival, with Raylen Wilson being a Butkus contender.
1. Is Georgia as good along the offensive line as it thinks it as?
While much will be made about the state of the receiving corps, as well as the pass rush, is Georgia getting a bit ahead of itself along the front-five? We know that Monroe Freeling is off to the NFL. Drew Bobo and company will be back, hoping to lead Georgia to greater heights in 2026. Although having Stacy Searels and Phil Rauscher effectively trading places is a great thing, is there enough talent?
Look. Freeling had to turn pro. This is a weak offensive tackle class, so he and his bank account had to take advantage of it. Along with Bobo at center, Georgia will lean on Juan Gaston, Dontrell Glover, and Earnest Greene III in the trenches. While Malachi Toliver got precious experience down the stretch in the wake of Bobo's injury, Jahzare Jackson is unproven at tackle. Did Georgia add depth?
The offensive line addition Georgia made in the portal was TyQuez Richardson out of Alabama A&M.