2026 SEC Media Day Series: Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia's 2025 team was young and still won the SEC. Now that group is back a year older, with 14 combined starters returning on both sides of the ball. The Dawgs have the talent to run it back, but Athens knows the season lives and dies with Gunner Stockton's arm.

Team Snapshot

• Conference: SEC

• Head Coach: Kirby Smart

• 2025 Record: 12-2 (7-1 SEC)

• Key Games: Oklahoma, Alabama, Florida, Ole Miss

Season Outlook

If fans look realistically at the 2025 version of the Dawgs, they were extremely young and could fairly be labeled as overachievers. Those pigskin neophytes are now a year older, with six offensive and eight defensive starters coming back this fall to play between the hedges.

On offense, their success this season will depend on quarterback Gunner Stockton (Sr), who played inconsistently last campaign. To take Georgia to the next level, he will need to close the gap between the highs and lows.

The other skilled positions are flat-out loaded with a bevy of big-time performers led by running back Nate Frazier (Jr), and featuring rising prospect Chauncey Bowens (So), as an excellent backup. The receiving corps is just as packed with talent, especially adding wideout Isiah Cannon, a junior transfer from Georgia Tech. The emergence of tight end Lawson Luckie (Sr) last year also provides Stockton with another elite target that can play in-line or line up out wide. The offensive line is an experienced group anchored by drive-blocking specialist center Mike Bobo (Sr).

On the defensive side of the ball, the Bulldogs welcome back 21 players that logged significant snaps either in Athens or at another relevant football program. The guys in the trenches are led by nose tackle Xavier McLeod (Jr) and defensive tackle Elijah Griffin (So). Outside linebacker Quintavious Johnson (Jr) will be counted on to provide pressure off the edge in the Georgia 3-3-5 scheme. The backend has elite talent in cornerback Ellis Robinson IV (So) and safety KJ Bolden (Jr), but the other three spots in the secondary are up for grabs.

2026 Prediction
Projected Record: 10-2 Overall, 7-2 Conference

The good news is that last year the Bulldogs captured the SEC title, avenging an early-season loss to Alabama. The bad news is that Georgia was eliminated in the CFP Quarterfinals by SEC rival Ole Miss at the Sugar Bowl, who the Dawgs defeated during the 2025 campaign. That will be enough to motivate them. There’s a bunch of experience returning all over the gridiron, but the bottom line is Georgia will only go as far as the quarterback play will carry them.

Top NFL Prospects

Drew Bobo, C, is rated in the Top Five nationally at his position. At 6’5” 305 lbs., he possesses all the measurables for an NFL center. He’s a senior who started 11 games last year and a road-grader that loves to drive block. He plays with a high football IQ and physicality and will anchor the offensive line that led the nation in fourth-down conversions (75%). And in 2025, this line only allowed 18 sacks. He’s on the preseason watch list for the Rimington Trophy, for the nation’s best center. And let’s not forget, he’s got a great bloodline, as the son of former player and current Offensive Coordinator, Mike Bobo.

Ellis Robinson IV, CB, played in all 14 contests in 2025, starting 12. The big corner tied for the top spot in the SEC last year with four picks and seven pass breakups. Has the physical tools to play man-to-man on taller wide receivers, which will translate well on Sundays. His estimated 40- time is in the low 4.4 range.

KJ Bolden, Georgia’s star safety, is in the conversation for the best in Division One. Bolden could stand to add a few more pounds before he gets to the next level, but make no mistake, he plays a physical and cerebral game. He started all 14 tilts in 2025 and is not afraid to play in the box, credited with 76 tackles (32 solo) last campaign. He also tallied two interceptions and five pass breakups. It’s no surprise that Bolden made the preseason watch list for the Jim Thorpe and Bednarik Awards, and he runs a mid-4.4 40-yard dash, showing off his speed for the position.

Georgia’s highly ranked kicker, Peyton Woodring, handled all the place-kicking duties (FG, PAT, KO) for every one of their 14 games last year. The senior special teamer is extremely accurate, going 17-for-19 last season on field goals with a long of 53 yards. Has not missed a PAT in his career, registering 173 successful attempts and ranks second all-time in extra points made in program history. While he may be a late day three pick or a priority undrafted free agent signing, as one of the nation’s best kickers, he will get a look at the next level.

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