When you talk about the greatest Georgia football teams of all time, the undefeated 2022 team who obliterated a supposedly superior TCU team 65-7 in the national championship game immediately comes to mind. The way Georgia's 2026 roster has shaped up, we may be in for a similar season.
The 2022 roster had almost zero flaws. Stetson Bennett, Brock Bowers, Ladd McConkey, a bevy of running backs and the most fearsome defense that Georgia fans have ever seen ran roughshod over the competition all season long, with an average margin of victory of 26.8 points.
Now, 2026 could be shaping up to look like a similar team, and that should scare the pants off the SEC and anyone else in Georgia's path. Georgia has the most experience returning in the nation, and has some high-profile talent at key positions.
Position by position, the 2026 Georgia roster compared to 2022
Quarterback: Advantage (slight) 2022
2022- Stetson Bennett IV
2026 - Gunner Stockton
It's hard to make a comparison to arguably one of the greatest Georgia Bulldogs of all time, but there's no denying that Bennett and Stockton have very similar skill sets. Both run the ball well, and both have pocket elusiveness when the rush comes.
A slight advantage goes to Bennett for his arm and accuracy, and there's a toughness edge for Stockton. Either way, there's not much of a drop off at the QB position.
Running Back: Advantage 2026
2022 - Kenny McIntosh, Daijun Edwards, Kendall Milton, Branson Robinson
2026 - Nate Frazier, Chauncey Bowens, Dante Dowdell, Dwight Phillips Jr.
While the 2022 backfield was more of a "by-committee" approach, Kenny McIntosh did put together a nice season. But there was a big drop-off in production after him.
In 2026, Georgia's running back room is stacked. Returning starters Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens alone would be enough to really rack up some yards, but the addition of Kentucky transfer Donte Dowdell, along with Dwight Phillips Jr. and Bo Walker, who could see more reps this year, has the Dawgs ready to control the ball and eat the clock.
Wide Receiver: Advantage 2022
2022 - Ladd McConkey, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, Kearis Jackson, Dominick Blaylock
2026 - London Humphreys, Sacovie White-Helton, Isiah Canion, CJ Wiley
Ladd McConkey was one of those generational players who came out of nowhere, and he's been hard to replace since moving on to the NFL. The Dawgs also had some big deep threats to go along with McConkey's superb route-running and YAC yards. It was as dangerous a wide receiver group as there was in the nation.
Georgia has struggled at receiver since 2022, and last year's big play man, Zachariah Branch, is now getting ready to suit up for the Atlanta Falcons. However, Kirby Smart has found some real depth at wide receiver this season, though much of it untested. London Humphreys will probably be looked at as Stockton's go-to guy.
Tight End: Advantage (slight) 2022
2022 - Brock Bowers, Darnell Washington, Oscar Delp
2026 - Lawson Luckie, Elyiss Williams, Colton Heinrich
Like McConkey, there's never going to be a "replacement" for Brock Bowers, arguably the greatest college tight end to ever play. Combined with the size, strength and blocking ability of Washington and Delp, this was a fearsome tight end group.
But before you dismiss this as the advantage for 2022, take a good look and realize that the tight end position is probably Georgia's biggest strength in 2026. There is no position stacked deeper and with more talent on the entire team. Lawson Luckie really started to come into his own last season and is primed for a big year in 2026.
Offensive Line: Advantage 2026
2022 - Broderick Jones, Xavier Truss, Sedrick Van Pran, Tate Ratledge, Warren McClendon
2026 - Earnest Greene, Dontrell Glover, Drew Bobo, Zykie Helton, Juan Gaston
The 2022 offensive line was just nasty. A group of big, mean road graders and brick walls that got stronger as the game progressed and were essentially pushing defensive lines around like rag dolls by the fourth quarter.
With that, 2026 could be even better. There's a lot of returning experience, and even more depth this year than there was in 2022. Look for center Drew Bobo to garner some award recognition (if he stays healthy).
Georgia's 2026 defense could be scary good
Defensive Line: Advantage 2026
2022 - Jalen Carter, Nazir Stackhouse, Mykel Williams
2026 - Elijah Griffin, Jordan Hall, Amaris Williams
While the flashy names from the 2022 line might seem like they give a clear advantage, Georgia's 2026 line could be the best one they've had since 2020. With a lot of returning experience, and some serious beef in nose tackle Jordan Hall (as well as backup, Xzavier McLeod), this squad could be even more fearsome.
The part that should scare offensive coordinators all over the SEC is the depth of this group. Kirby Smart should be able to use his tactics of continuously rotating linemen in and out without missing a beat. That bodes well for Georgia's defense.
ALSO READ: Can one of Georgia's biggest weaknesses improve in 2026?
Linebackers: Advantage 2022
2022 - Smael Mondon Jr., Nolan Smith, Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Robert Beal, Jr.
2026 - Quintavius Johnson, Raylen Wilson, Justin Williams, Isaiah Gibson
It's going to be hard to top that 2022 linebacker corps, they were a group of ball hawks and speedsters that had few flaws, if any.
That said, the 2026 group is pretty well stocked, and has a ton of depth. Losing CJ Allen is a blow, but there's a lot of upside in both Cole and Williams. Potentially this group could be as good as 2022's but for now, we'll give the advantage to the known commodity.
Secondary: Advantage 2022
2022 - Malaki Starks, Javon Bullard, Kelee Ringo, Christopher Smith, Kamari Lassiter
2026 - Ellis Robinson, Demello Jones, KJ Bolden, Kyron Jones, Rasean Dinkins
The 2022 secondary may very well have been one of the best position groups on the team. Simply put, it was loaded and simply didn't bend. Speed, tackling, instincts, and nose for the ball - they had it all.
The 2026 secondary has a lot of youth and some transfers, so how things will shake out is a bit murky. Some of the position battles will still be hotly contested when fall rolls around, so that list of probable starters could look very different when the Dawgs take the field. Robinson will be the unquestioned leader of that group and will need to have a big season.
Special Teams: Even
2022 - Jack Podlesney (PK), Brett Thorson (P)
2026 - Peyton Woodring (PK), Drew Miller (P)
One hallmark of the Kirby Smart era is that Georgia has been exceptional in the kicking game, both placekicking and punting. You could mix and match these four guys and never lose a thing. Dead heat.
So looking up and down the position groups, even where the 2022 team has an edge, it's not by much, and the 2026 team has the potential to be even better in many respects. The way Georgia's schedule lines up this year, we could be looking at another season of Dawg dominance.
All statistics via CFBstats.com
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