2026 College Football Preview: Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia’s defense is loaded in the back seven: The Bulldogs feature PFF’s No. 3 linebacker unit and a top-five secondary, led by Chris Cole, Raylen Wilson, Ellis Robinson IV and KJ Bolden.

Pass-catcher turnover creates the biggest concern: Six of Georgia’s seven leading receivers from last season are gone, leaving significant uncertainty at wide receiver.

KJ Bolden anchors the secondary: His 90.7 PFF grade since the start of 2024 ranks second among returning safeties entering the 2026 season.

Georgia continued its dominance of the SEC in 2025, winning its third conference championship in four years and securing its fourth College Football Playoff appearance in five seasons. The Bulldogs’ run ended with a quarterfinal loss to Ole Miss, a team they had beaten earlier in the year.

Kirby Smart has now led Georgia to at least 11 wins in eight consecutive full seasons, excluding the shortened 2020 campaign. With another loaded roster entering 2026, there is little reason to expect that run of success to end.

Notable Transfer Portal Additions

ED Amaris Williams (Auburn)
WR Isiah Canion (Georgia Tech)
S Khalil Barnes (Clemson)
RB Dante Dowdell (Kentucky)
S Ja’Marley Riddle (East Carolina)

Notable Transfer Portal Losses

ED Elo Modozie (Purdue)
CB Daniel Harris (California)
S Joenel Aguero (Ole Miss)
OT Bo Hughley (Colorado)
CB Dominick Kelly (Ohio State)

Biggest strength: Back-seven of the defense

The strength of Georgia’s defense lies at the second and third levels. The Bulldogs boast our No. 3 linebacker unit in the country, led by two top-15 players at the position in Chris Cole and Raylen Wilson.

The secondary also ranks among the nation’s top five, headlined by projected first-round picks Ellis Robinson IV at cornerback and KJ Bolden at safety.

Biggest question mark: Which pass-catchers can step up?

Georgia didn’t have an especially explosive passing attack last season, and the lack of proven receiving options could make that an even bigger concern in 2026. Six of the Bulldogs’ seven leading receivers from a year ago are gone, leaving London Humphreys and Georgia Tech transfer Isiah Canion as the only players on the roster who recorded at least 200 receiving yards last season.

Georgia should be in good shape at tight end with Lawson Luckie and Eliyiss Williams returning, but the wide receiver room has far more uncertainty. At least one of Sacovie White-Helton, CJ Wiley and Talyn Taylor will need to emerge as a reliable target.

Quarterback: Gunner Stockton

the 2024 SEC championship. His 81.1 PFF grade ranked seventh among qualified SEC quarterbacks.

He is a tough, willing runner who generally executes Mike Bobo’s offense as designed, particularly when attacking the perimeter. At this stage, though, Stockton profiles more as a game manager than a quarterback who will consistently take over games. His 7.3-yard average depth of target was among the lowest in the nation last season, while screens accounted for 22.5% of his dropbacks.

Offensive Player Spotlight: C Drew Bobo

Bobo started two games at center in 2024 before taking over the full-time role following Jared Wilson’s departure for the NFL. He was remarkably steady in pass protection last season, allowing no sacks or hits across 376 pass-blocking snaps. His 71.6 PFF run-blocking grade also ranked 12th among Power Four centers.

The redshirt senior, who is the son of offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, essentially serves as a coach on the field for the Bulldogs and is responsible for calling out protections for quarterback Gunner Stockton. That combination of reliability and football intelligence makes him one of the top five centers in college football entering 2026.

Defensive Player Spotlight: S KJ Bolden

Bolden is arguably the best safety returning to college football this season. His 90.7 PFF grade since the start of 2024 ranks second among returning safeties, trailing only Alabama’s Bray Hubbard.

Last season, Bolden recorded two interceptions, six pass breakups and 78 tackles while missing just four tackles all year. He plays an exceptionally clean brand of football, rarely making mistakes, and has the talent to emerge as a first-round pick next April.

Bottom Line

With Kirby Smart at the helm, Georgia has become a perennial national championship contender, and 2026 should be no different. The Bulldogs once again have the talent to compete for an SEC title and make a deep College Football Playoff run.