Kirby Smart doesn't care about your feelings, and he definitely doesn't care about a piece of paper listing his starters. If you've spent any time following Georgia football, you know the "official" uga depth chart 2024 was basically a suggestion. Kirby loves the word "OR." He uses it like a defensive weapon to keep opposing coordinators guessing until the very first snap in Atlanta against Clemson.
The 2024 season was weird. It was the "toughest year" of Kirby's tenure—his words, not mine—despite an 11-3 record and an SEC Championship trophy. People looked at the roster and saw a juggernaut. But between the white lines, it was a constant shuffle.
The Carson Beck Reality and the QB Room
Everyone knew Carson Beck was the guy. There was zero drama at the top. After a 2023 season where he threw for nearly 4,000 yards, he entered 2024 as the undisputed leader. He finished the year with 3,485 passing yards and 28 touchdowns, but the 12 interceptions tell you it wasn't always smooth sailing.
Behind him? That’s where it got interesting. Gunner Stockton was the clear No. 2, appearing in five games and showing he could handle the offense if Beck's bell got rung. Then you had the Jaden Rashada saga. Georgia grabbed him late from Arizona State, adding a high-ceiling talent to a room that already included freshman Ryan Puglisi. Puglisi spent most of the spring dealing with a knee injury, which basically paved the way for Stockton to lock down that backup spot early.
The Backfield Committee
Trevor Etienne was the prize of the transfer portal. Stealing a star from Florida? That’s peak Kirby. Honestly, Etienne lived up to the hype, averaging 5.0 yards per carry and becoming the home-run threat Georgia missed since the James Cook days. But he wasn't alone.
Nate Frazier, the true freshman, didn't just sit on the bench. He actually led the team in rushing attempts (133) and yards (671). Think about that. A freshman out-carrying a proven SEC vet like Etienne. It shows you how much the staff trusted the kid.
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Then you had the "steady" guys:
- Cash Jones: The ultimate third-down reliable. 275 receiving yards.
- Branson Robinson: Making a comeback from that brutal 2023 injury.
- Chauncey Bowens: Saw some mop-up duty but mostly a developmental piece.
Why the UGA Depth Chart 2024 Shuffled at Wideout
Losing Ladd McConkey and Brock Bowers is a death sentence for most offenses. Georgia just reloaded. Dominic Lovett became the "safety blanket" in the slot, leading the team with 59 catches. He’s just silky smooth in his routes.
On the outside, Dillon Bell was the Swiss Army knife. Need a catch? Bell. Need a handoff on a jet sweep? Bell. He finished with 466 receiving yards and was arguably the most physical blocker on the perimeter. The big-play threat, though, was Arian Smith. People forget he averaged 17 yards per catch. When he stayed healthy, the top stayed off the defense.
Colbie Young (the Miami transfer) and London Humphreys (Vanderbilt) were brought in to provide size. Young started strong but his season got derailed by off-field issues. Humphreys, meanwhile, showed flashes of being a future WR1, especially with his speed in the intermediate game.
The Trenches: A "Great Divide" on the O-Line
The offensive line was supposed to be the best in the country. For the most part, they were. Earnest Greene III protected the blind side at left tackle, and Xavier Truss brought six years of "old man strength" to the right tackle spot.
The interior was where the real battles happened:
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- Jared Wilson took over for the legendary Sedrick Van Pran at center.
- Tate Ratledge was an All-American at right guard before a mid-season injury forced a rotation.
- Dylan Fairchild and Micah Morris basically split time at left guard.
It wasn't a static 1-through-5. If someone's shoelace was untied, Kirby was rotating in Monroe Freeling or Drew Bobo. That depth is why Beck only got sacked 13 times all year.
Defensive Front: The Stackhouse and Brinson Anchor
Defense starts in the middle. Nazir Stackhouse and Warren Brinson decided to come back for their senior years, which was huge. They aren't "stat sheet stuffers," but they eat double teams so the linebackers can run free.
The "scary" talent was Mykel Williams. He played a hybrid defensive end and outside linebacker (the JACK position). When he was on, he was unblockable. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins also had a breakout year, proving he’s more than just a depth piece.
Younger names like Christen Miller and Jordan Hall started seeing more snaps as the season wore on. Miller, specifically, has that "twitch" you can't teach. He’s going to be a problem for SEC centers for a long time.
Linebackers: The Deepest Unit on Campus
CJ Allen and Raylen Wilson. Remember those names. They stepped in as true freshmen in 2023 and became the heart of the defense in 2024. Smael Mondon Jr. provided the veteran leadership at the MAC position, but injuries limited him.
Jalon Walker is the name NFL scouts were drooling over. He’s technically an inside linebacker, but he’s most dangerous when he’s rushing the passer on third down. He’s a freak of nature. Behind them, you had the five-star freshmen Justin Williams and Chris Cole. They mostly played special teams, but their closing speed is legitimately terrifying.
The Secondary and the Rise of KJ Bolden
Malaki Starks is a unicorn. He’s a first-team All-American who can play centerfield as a free safety or come down and hit like a linebacker.
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The big surprise? KJ Bolden. True freshmen aren't supposed to start at safety in a Glenn Schumann defense. It’s too complicated. Bolden did it anyway. He’s a ballhawk with elite recovery speed.
At corner, Daylen Everette held down one side. The other side was a rotation between Julian Humphrey and Daniel Harris. It was probably the "weakest" part of the defense early on, but they tightened up by the time the Texas game rolled around.
Actionable Insights for the Future
If you're tracking how this roster evolves, here's what actually matters:
- Monitor the 2025 Transfers: Georgia uses the portal to fill specific "size" needs (like Colbie Young or Ben Yurosek). Look for them to target a dominant interior defensive lineman next.
- Watch the "OR" Starters: When Kirby lists two players as "OR" on the depth chart, the younger player is usually the one with the higher ceiling. Pay attention to those snap counts in the fourth quarter.
- Identify the Hybrid Players: The 2024 season proved that versatility is king. Players like Dillon Bell (WR/RB) and Jalon Walker (LB/EDGE) are the blueprint for the modern Georgia roster.
The uga depth chart 2024 wasn't just a list of names; it was a reflection of a program that values "competitive toughness" over recruiting stars. Even in a "down" year by their standards, the Bulldogs managed to win the SEC. That doesn't happen without the kind of depth that can survive a 14-game gauntlet in the toughest conference in sports.