If you’ve spent any time on the message boards lately, you know the vibe in Athens is... let's call it "cautiously intense."
Kirby Smart hasn’t lost his touch, but the uga football depth chart heading into 2026 looks like a jigsaw puzzle that was dropped on the floor and put back together with a few new pieces from the transfer portal. Everyone is talking about who left for the NFL or the portal, but honestly, the real story is the guys who stayed.
The big news? Gunner Stockton didn't blink. After finishing seventh in the Heisman voting and putting up 34 touchdowns, he’s back for his final year of eligibility. That's the anchor. But behind him and around the rest of the field, things are getting weirdly interesting.
The Quarterback Room: It's Not Just Gunner
Basically, the QB situation is the most stable part of the team, which is a luxury Georgia hasn't always had during transitions. Gunner Stockton is the guy. Period. He’s the undisputed starter.
But look at the depth. Ryan Puglisi is sitting right there at the number two spot. He’s got three years left. Then you have the young guns, Ryan Montgomery and Hezekiah Millender.
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The surprise twist came just days ago. Bryson Beaver, a four-star prospect who originally signed with Oregon, flipped to Georgia through the portal. Why? Because Oregon grabbed Dylan Raiola (remember him?) and Dante Moore decided to stay in Eugene. Beaver fills the hole left by Jared Curtis, who famously flipped to Vanderbilt. It’s a game of musical chairs, and Georgia just grabbed one of the last high-end seats.
Skill Positions: The "Reload" Is Real
Losing Zachariah Branch to the NFL stings. You don't just replace 80+ catches and that kind of return speed. But if you're worried about the wideouts, you haven't been paying attention to Isiah Canion.
Grabbing Canion from Georgia Tech was a petty, brilliant move. He’s 6-foot-4, has three years of eligibility, and knows the state. He’ll likely slot into a starting role alongside London Humphreys.
Running Back Rotation
- Nate Frazier: He’s the lead dog now. 947 yards last year wasn't a fluke.
- Dante Dowdell: The Kentucky transfer is a hammer. At 227 pounds, he’s the short-yardage solution.
- Cash Jones: The reliable senior who just keeps showing up in the passing game.
The backfield feels a bit "running back by committee" right now, especially with Roderick Robinson heading to UAB. It’s less about one superstar and more about keeping legs fresh for the SEC grind.
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The Defensive Rebuild
This is where the uga football depth chart gets complicated. The NFL took a massive bite out of the defense. CJ Allen and Christen Miller are gone. That’s a lot of leadership and "wrecking-ball" energy leaving the building.
But Kirby did Kirby things. Landing Amaris Williams from Auburn was huge. He’s been compared to Gabe Harris in terms of pure physical dominance. Speaking of Harris, he’s returning, which is a massive sigh of relief for defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann.
The secondary is where the real competition is. With Daylen Everette off to the pros and a handful of guys like Joenel Aguero entering the portal, the starting corner spots are basically up for grabs. Ellis Robinson IV and Demello Jones are the names to circle in Sharpie. They’re the projected starters, but the addition of Gentry Williams from Oklahoma adds a veteran layer that this young group desperately needs.
Defensive Locks and Battles
- Safety: Zion Branch and KJ Bolden. This is arguably the best safety duo in the country. Bolden lived up to the hype as a sophomore, and Branch brings that veteran "been-there" presence.
- Inside Linebacker: Raylen Wilson returning was the best news of January. He’ll lead the "Money" spot while Justin Williams steps into the "Mac" role.
- Star: This is the "look out" spot. Khalil Barnes, the Clemson transfer, is likely going to walk in and take this over. He’s an Athens native who basically came home to finish his business.
The Trenches: A Tale of Two Lines
The offensive line is... a work in progress? That feels wrong to say about a Georgia unit, but they lost four starters to the NFL. Earnest Greene returning for a fifth year is the only reason UGA fans aren't panicking.
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Greene is the cornerstone at right tackle. On the other side, Monroe Freeling is gone, which leaves a massive hole at left tackle. Drew Bobo is the likely center, but the guard spots are a total free-for-all between Daniel Calhoun and the incoming freshmen like Ekene Ogboko.
On the defensive side, Xzavier McLeod and Jordan Hall are the pillars. They have to be. Without Christen Miller, the interior pressure has to come from these two. If they don't step up, the linebackers are going to have a long season chasing down dual-threat QBs.
What This Actually Means for 2026
Georgia isn't "rebuilding"—that's a word for programs that don't recruit at this level. They are re-tooling.
The schedule isn't going to be kind, and the SEC is only getting deeper. The biggest hurdle for this specific uga football depth chart is the lack of "battle-tested" depth at offensive tackle and cornerback. If the injury bug hits those two specific spots, things could get shaky.
But having a Heisman-caliber QB like Stockton and a secondary anchored by KJ Bolden buys you a lot of room for error.
Next Steps for Dawg Fans:
Keep a close eye on the spring game (G-Day) specifically for the left tackle battle. If Juan Gaston or Marcus Harrison starts taking first-team reps over the veterans, it tells you everything you need to know about the coaching staff's confidence in the current seniors. Also, watch the "Star" position—if Khalil Barnes isn't the clear leader by April, that's a red flag for the defensive chemistry.