The college football world cannot stop, and will not stop. Not even 24 hours removed from the end of their season, Kirby Smart and his Georgia Bulldogs coaching staff will have to deal with the obvious consequences of the absolutely delightful transfer portal. While Georgia has been able to land key pieces in the portal in recent years, it has also lost more than its fair share to the transfer portal, too.
Only an hour after the portal officially opened, running back Roderick Robinson II has now entered it.
BREAKING: Georgia RB Roderick Robinson II is entering the @TransferPortal, he tells @On3Sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 2, 2026
The 6’1 235 RB totaled 3 TDs in his time with the Bulldogs
He’ll have 2 years of eligibility remaining with a possible medical redshirthttps://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/Ij39IAZ5H1
With it being a busy day for Hayes Fawcett over on On3, Jordan Thomas is also leaving the program.
Georgia DL Jordan Thomas is entering the @TransferPortal, he tells @On3Sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 2, 2026
In his time with the Bulldogs he totaled 6 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 PD
The 6’5 310 DL will have 3 years of eligibility lefthttps://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/Oj8U4OHsas
Although neither guy played very much for Georgia, you hate to see players leave with multiple years of eligibility left. When a guy has one left, you cannot really blame him for wanting something new, especially if he has already graduated. For Robinson, he may need a new start. He had a miserable time staying healthy at Georgia. For Thomas, he might want more playing time at another program.
In the wonderful world of NIL, Smart and his staff have to adjust to make sure it will not get passed by.
Georgia Bulldogs are starting to lose some players to the transfer portal
What has been frustrating about the changes in the sport from a Georgia perspective has been Smart being a slow adapter to NIL. The day and age of prospective players being willing to take a Georgia discount may soon be a thing of the past. He continues to recruit well out of high school, and in the portal as well. Unfortunately, Georgia has had a hard time retaining key pieces regarding depth.
Overall, we might finally be starting to get some guardrails on the transfer portal. Having only one window, as opposed to two, should help keep this runaway train on the tracks. Players leaving for other programs ahead of spring semester is the right time for this. What does need to change is for the calendar to line up, so coaches and players do not have to make decisions well before January.
Ultimately, Robinson and Thomas will find new places to play, just like the many players who have left Georgia by way of the portal before. Their expected departures will open up roster spots for Smart and his staff to fill with players however they choose. Georgia will target a few key pieces in the portal, especially if they have a few unexpected players declare for the 2026 NFL Draft. Let's have patience...
Right now, the portal has officially opened, so we better strap ourselves in and enjoy the bumpy ride!