It was only a matter of time before it happened. Over the weekend, Georgia Bulldogs standout defensive lineman Christen Miller announced his intentions of entering the 2026 NFL Draft. The redshirt junior had one more year's worth of collegiate eligibility to use, but wisely elected to turn pro. Where things stand right now, he is a clear, day-two pick, but with an outside shot at going in day one.
Although this was not one of the more talented defenses Georgia has ever had, Miller was a constant piece in the middle of everything up front for the Dawgs. While stats were hard to come by for him, given the position he plays and all, Miller helped solidify the foundation for this defense in the second half of the season. Outside of the two Ole Miss games, Georgia became a behemoth defensively late.
Now that Miller is off to the NFL Draft, we should take a look at who all could be available in the transfer portal market for Georgia along the defensive line. Georgia has other needs to address, but you better believe getting better in the defensive front-seven will be chief among them. For Georgia, it is all about fit and if a guy can star within the context of Kirby Smart and Glenn Schumann's scheme.
Let's get the ball rolling with a player from Georgia, but elected to start his college football elsewhere.
3. Florida Gators defensive lineman Michai Boireau
While it is a bit of a long shot to land him, former Florida Gators defensive lineman Michai Boireau grew up locally and has been on the wrong side of the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party too many times to count. The former Creekside High School standout hails from Faiburn, Georgia. He spent the last two seasons playing for Billy Napier in Gainesville. He will not play for Jon Sumrall...
247Sports has Boireau as the No. 7 defensive line prospect in this transfer portal cycle, as well as the No. 96 overall prospect. At 6-foot-4.5 and 349 pounds, Georgia could land the perfect replacement for Miller in the portal. Being a rising upperclassman works in Boireau's favor here. However, it does not seem like Georgia will be at the front of the line to land him in the portal. He will have other suitors.
This should not stop Georgia from pursuing other defensive lineman who hail from The Peach State.
2. Clemson Tigers defensive lineman Stephiylan Green
The next guy up we definitely need to talk about is former Clemson Tigers defensive lineman Stephiylan Green. The Rome, Georgia native spent his first three college football seasons playing for Dabo Swinney. As is the case with Fairburn, Georgia native Michai Boireau, Green committed to a rival of Georgia out of high school. They are not among the favorites to get him in the portal at this point...
While Georgia will get one less year of eligibility with Green, there is also this, too. Clemson is not as much of a rival with Georgia as Florida is. More importantly, Green's former Clemson teammate in safety Khalil Barnes just committed to Georgia over the weekend. The most famous former Clemson defender to transfer to UGA was defensive back Derion Kendrick ahead of the 2021 college season.
Green is the No. 6 defensive lineman in the transfer portal and No. 76 overall prospect in this cycle.
1. USC Trojans defensive lineman Devan Thompkins
Of course, it is Devan Thompkins. He headlined the list of five early transfer portal gets for Georgia here on Dawn of the Dawg. The four-star transfer portal recruit has one more year of eligibility left. Although he hails from Stockton, California originally, there are guys in the Georgia building who have USC ties and could vouch for him. Those would be The Branch Brothers and assistant Donte Williams.
Thompkins is visiting with Georgia now that he is in the portal. He is the No. 2 defensive lineman in this cycle, as well as the No. 18 overall transfer portal prospect. Georgia may be a long way from home, but the Dawgs are in a better spot as a program than the Trojans are currently. With one more crack at reaching the College Football Playoff and playing for a national title, why not come to UGA?
For the time being, Thompkins should be among the very best transfer portal targets for Georgia.
When does the transfer portal close?
The transfer portal opened on Friday, Jan. 2. It will remain open until Friday, Jan. 16. The only exceptions to this rule will be the two teams who end up playing in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. They will have their transfer portal window extended an additional five days from Tuesday, Jan. 20 through Saturday, Jan. 24. There is not a spring transfer portal window.