It's been a weird few weeks in Athens. Honestly, if you’re a Dawgs fan, you’re probably still nursing a bit of a hangover from that 39-34 loss to Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl. Ending the season in the Playoff quarterfinals isn't exactly the standard Kirby Smart has set, and the fallout has been fast, loud, and—at times—a little chaotic.
The latest news in georgia football isn't just about who won or lost a bowl game, though. It’s about a massive roster pivot that feels different than previous years. Usually, Georgia reloads. This time, they’re retooling under the heavy pressure of a closing transfer portal window and a messy NIL landscape.
Kirby is basically playing a high-stakes game of Tetris with his 2026 depth chart.
The Nate Frazier NIL Drama and the Transfer Portal Crunch
If you’ve been on Twitter (or X, whatever) lately, you’ve seen the panic. Nate Frazier, the guy who just put up over 1,000 yards from scrimmage as a sophomore, hasn’t signed his 2026 NIL papers yet. That’s the spark. Tampering rumors involving Ohio State started flying because, well, that’s just how college football works now.
Frazier isn't in the portal. Not yet. But the deadline is Friday, January 16, and the silence is deafening. Rusty Mansell from On3 mentioned that while meetings are happening, no deal is done. It’s a nerve-wracking reality. Losing a back of his caliber would be a massive blow, especially after Roderick Robinson already decided to move on.
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But it’s not all bad news. Georgia actually landed some massive wins in the portal this week:
- Dante Dowdell (RB, Kentucky): A huge pickup to offset the potential loss of Frazier or Robinson.
- Khalil Barnes (S, Clemson): This is a steal. Barnes was a playmaker for the Tigers and fills a massive void left by Joenel Aguero, who—ironically—headed to Ole Miss.
- Isiah Canion (WR, Georgia Tech): At 6-foot-4, he’s the big-bodied target they need with Colbie Young and Noah Thomas heading to the NFL.
The NFL Draft Exodus: Who’s Staying and Who’s Going?
The Wednesday deadline for NFL Draft declarations is the other ticking clock. We already know the big names who are gone. My Cole Young and Noah Thomas are moving on. Zachariah Branch and Christen Miller are out the door too.
The biggest question mark left is the offensive line. Monroe Freeling already made it official—he’s heading to the league. That leaves a massive hole at left tackle. Earnest Greene is the one everyone is watching now. He’s dealt with shoulder issues, which might complicate his draft stock, but if he leaves too, the Bulldogs are effectively starting from scratch on the edges of the line.
On the bright side, some "glue guys" are coming back.
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- Raylen Wilson (LB) and Gabe Harris (DE) are returning.
- Peyton Woodring is back to handle kicking duties.
- Xzavier McLeod is staying put on the interior line.
Having that defensive core return is huge. When Gabe Harris went down with turf toe at the end of the year, the pass rush basically evaporated. Having him healthy for the 2026 opener is probably the most underrated piece of news this month.
Why the 2026 Recruiting Class Feels "Quiet"
For the first time in a long time, Georgia isn’t sitting at the #1 spot in the recruiting rankings. They’re currently sitting at #5. Some fans are hitting the panic button, but you’ve gotta look at the context.
The flip of 5-star QB Jared Curtis to Vanderbilt (yes, Vanderbilt) was a gut punch. But Kirby hasn't lost his touch; the focus has just shifted. They signed Ekene Ogboko, a 5-star tackle from North Carolina, which is the first true 5-star OT they’ve landed since Amarius Mims back in 2021.
The real strength of this 2026 class is the secondary. They’ve stacked up four Top-100 defensive backs, including Justice Fitzpatrick and Caden Harris. It seems like Kirby is going back to his roots—building a "no-fly zone" to combat the explosive offenses that have been giving the SEC fits lately.
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Looking Ahead: The 2026 Schedule is a Gauntlet
If you thought the 2025 schedule was tough, wait until you see what’s coming. The Bulldogs open with Tennessee State and Western Kentucky, but then it gets real.
- Sept 19: at Arkansas (never an easy trip)
- Sept 26: vs Oklahoma (Sanford Stadium will be rocking)
- Oct 10: at Alabama (the rematch everyone wants)
- Oct 31: vs Florida (In Atlanta this year! Jacksonville’s stadium is getting a facelift.)
The fact that the Florida game is in Mercedes-Benz Stadium is going to change the entire vibe of that rivalry for a year. It’s a shorter trip for Dawgs fans, which should make for a "home game" feel in a neutral site.
Actionable Insights for Dawg Fans
Basically, the next 72 hours are the most important part of the off-season. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- Monitor the Friday Portal Deadline: If Nate Frazier’s name doesn't pop up by Friday night, breathe a sigh of relief. That means the NIL deal got done and the RB room is safe.
- Watch the Offensive Tackle Market: With Freeling gone and Bo Hughley in the portal (headed to Colorado), Georgia is desperate for a veteran tackle. Keep an eye on Josiah Thompson from South Carolina; he’s a name that keeps surfacing as a potential portal target.
- Spring Game Expectations: Kirby has already hinted that spring practice will be "wide open." Expect a lot of the freshman DBs to get first-team reps early because the coaching staff is clearly unhappy with how the secondary performed in the Sugar Bowl.
The era of "relationships over transactions" is being tested in Athens. Kirby Smart isn't changing his soul, but he's clearly adapting to a world where you have to win the NIL battle just as much as the recruiting battle. It’s a messy, fast-moving situation, but the talent floor in Athens is still higher than almost anywhere else in the country.
To stay updated on the final roster count, check the official scholarship numbers after the January 16 portal close. That will give you the clearest picture of exactly how many spots Kirby has left for the late spring window.