The Georgia Bulldogs are ready to start the 2025 season in the coming month and get back to their quest for yet another National Championship. After not winning a championship in each of the last two seasons, the team, coaches, and fans are ready to be back on the mountaintop.
Kirby Smart has a good number of players returning this season, even after losing players to both the transfer portal and the NFL. Smart has always been known to build an elite team year in and year out that is always going to compete.
So, looking forward to the 2025 season, here are the top five players returning to Georgia this season to help this team make it back to that mountaintop.
KJ Bolden
KJ Bolden was a standout freshman for Georgia last season in the secondary, and now returning for his second season, he is primed to do even more. Bolden was named to College Sports Network's Top 100 returning players list, coming in at No. 40. ESPN also listed Bolden as one of Georgia's breakout players this next season.
Bolden was one of the SEC's top young defenders last season and certainly was a force to be reckoned with in the secondary. In his freshman season, Bolden totaled 59 tackles, 40 solo tackles, one pass defended, one interception, one sack, and one forced fumble. Bolden will be the leader in the locker room and in the secondary heading into the 2025 season.
Zachariah Branch
While Zachariah Branch isn't returning to Georgia, as in wasn't playing for Georgia last season, he is returning for another year in college football and chose to return with the Bulldogs. Branch was also ranked in College Sports Network's Top 100 returning players, coming in at No. 68 on the list.
Brnach spent last season with USC, where he earned First-Team All-American honors. In his sophomore season at USC, Branch had 47 receptions for 503 yards and only one touchdown, but he did average 10.7 yards per catch. Branch brings speed and explosiveness to the Georgia offense and can really help Gunner Stockton in his potential first season as a starter.
Christen Miller
Christen Miller is making his return to Georgia for his third year with the Bulldogs. The interior defensive lineman was ranked as the fourth-best returning interior DL in the Power 4, according to PFF. Miller recorded 27 total tackles last season, 12 solo tackles, one pass defended, and 1.5 sacks.
With the majority of the Georgia defensive line returning this season, Miller's strong presence on the line should help this defense return to the top of its game. Georgia has always been known for their defense, and they need to get back to those days.
Chris Cole
After a great freshman season at Georgia, Chris Cole is making his return to the Bulldogs this season after earning SEC All-Freshman honors in 2024. Cole is expected to have a bigger role this season with the loss of linebacker Jalon Walker.
Cole had a solid freshman season with 16 total tackles, 11 solo tackles, and one pass defended. Cole should have more on his plate this season as a solid returner on the Georgia defense.
Jordan Hall
Jordan Hall's stats may not have jumped off the page last season; however, in his third season with the Bulldogs in 2025, he has a chance to take a big step forward. With defensive end Mykel Williams and Walker gone, Hall is set to take on a bigger role on the defensive line this season, which could boost his stats as well.