If you thought the Georgia Bulldogs were just going to rest on their laurels after another massive season, you haven't been paying attention to Kirby Smart. The January transfer portal window just slammed shut, and the uga football starting roster for the 2026 season looks like a completely different animal than what we saw in the Sugar Bowl. It’s been a wild ride. We saw Heisman finalists stay, All-Americans leave for the NFL, and some truly surprising "bridge" transfers that suggest Georgia is doubling down on the "homegrown" philosophy with a few strategic sprinkles of veteran help.
Honestly, the biggest news wasn't who they added, but who they kept.
The Gunner Stockton Era is Officially Here
The debate is over. No more "what if Carson Beck stayed." Gunner Stockton is the guy. After leading Georgia through a gritty 2025 campaign and finishing seventh in the Heisman voting, Stockton is back for his senior year. He's got that big arm everyone talks about, but it’s his legs that really changed the offense last year. Behind him, Ryan Puglisi is still the primary backup, but don't sleep on the incoming freshman Bryson Beaver.
Beaver is a late portal addition who basically serves as insurance, but the word around Athens is that Puglisi is actually pushing Stockton harder than people think. It's a healthy room.
Running Backs: A Revolution in the Backfield
Nate Frazier is the alpha here. Period.
The sophomore sensation is coming back as the lead dog, and with the SEC undergoing what scouts are calling a "running back revolution," Frazier is the piece Georgia needs to stay relevant in a physical conference. But look at the depth behind him:
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- Dante Dowdell (the Kentucky transfer) brings that SEC-ready frame.
- Chauncey Bowens is the lightning to Dowdell's thunder.
- Bo Walker and Jae Lamar (freshman) provide a ridiculous amount of speed.
It’s a "by committee" approach until it isn't. Kirby loves a fresh pair of legs in the fourth quarter, and this group is built for that exact purpose.
Replacing the Stars: WR and OL Shifts
The wide receiver room took a massive hit with Zachariah Branch and Colbie Young heading to the NFL. Branch was a human highlight reel, setting the school record for receptions in a single season. You don't just "replace" that.
Instead, Georgia is leaning on internal development. Sacovie White-Helton is the name you need to know. He’s expected to slide into that slot role and take over punt return duties. Then you have London Humphreys and Isiah Canion (the Georgia Tech transfer) on the outside. Canion is 6-foot-4 and basically fills the physical void left by Colbie Young.
The offensive line is where things get really interesting. Monroe Freeling is gone to the pros, which leaves a gaping hole at left tackle.
The solution? Likely moving Earnest Greene III back to the left side. Greene has played everywhere on that line, and his veteran presence is the glue for this unit. Drew Bobo is entrenched at center, and Daniel Calhoun has developed into a monster at guard.
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The Defensive Front: "Wreckers" and New Faces
Losing CJ Allen and Christen Miller to the NFL hurts. Allen was a First-Team All-American, and you could argue he was the heartbeat of that defense.
But Georgia is deep. Raylen Wilson announced his return, and he's finally moving out of Allen's shadow to be the main signal-caller at inside linebacker.
On the line, Xzavier McLeod and Jordan Hall provide the beef in the middle. But the guy everyone is whispering about is Elijah Griffin. He’s a sophomore now, and if he takes the leap everyone expects, he’s a top-10 pick in two years.
To help the pass rush, Georgia went and grabbed Amaris Williams from Auburn. Kirby called Gabe Harris a "wrecker," and now he has Williams to rotate with, keeping both of them fresh for those late-game situations that plagued the Bulldogs in the loss to Ole Miss last year.
The 2026 Projected Starting Roster
Let’s look at how this looks on paper right now. Keep in mind, spring ball always changes things, but this is the "best guess" based on current scholarship distribution and portal movement.
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Offense:
- QB: Gunner Stockton (Sr.)
- RB: Nate Frazier (Jr.)
- WR-X: London Humphreys (Sr.)
- WR-Z: Isiah Canion (Jr.)
- WR-SL: Sacovie White-Helton (RS So.)
- TE: Lawson Luckie (Sr.)
- LT: Earnest Greene III (RS Sr.)
- LG: Michael Uini (RS So.)
- C: Drew Bobo (RS Sr.)
- RG: Daniel Calhoun (RS So.)
- RT: Juan Gaston (So.)
Defense:
- DE: Amaris Williams (Jr.)
- NT: Xzavier McLeod (RS Jr.)
- DT: Elijah Griffin (So.)
- JACK: Gabriel Harris (Sr.)
- MAC: Raylen Wilson (Sr.)
- MONEY: Justin Williams (Jr.)
- CB: Ellis Robinson IV (RS So.)
- CB: Demello Jones (RS So.)
- SS: KJ Bolden (So.)
- FS: Khalil Barnes (Sr. - Clemson Transfer)
- STAR: Rasean Dinkins (So.)
Why the "Homegrown" Strategy Matters
A lot of people are scratching their heads wondering why Georgia only took about seven transfers while other teams are basically buying entire rosters. It’s a gamble. But Kirby Smart’s philosophy is that you can’t buy chemistry.
By keeping guys like Lawson Luckie (who just announced his return) and Peyton Woodring (Kicker), Georgia maintains a culture that "mercenary" teams often lack. Woodring is a massive retainment, by the way. He went 17-for-19 last year. In a league where games are won by three points, having a senior kicker is like having a cheat code.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're following the uga football starting roster movement, here is what you should actually be watching as we head into the G-Day spring game:
- Watch the Left Tackle Battle: While Earnest Greene is the favorite, keep an eye on Ekene Ogboko. He’s a five-star recruit who might force his way onto the field earlier than expected.
- The Slot Receiver Gap: Sacovie White-Helton has the talent, but watch Talyn Taylor. He was a standout in bowl practices and could steal a starting spot if he has a big spring.
- Secondary Synergy: With Gentry Williams (Oklahoma transfer) and Khalil Barnes (Clemson transfer) coming in, the communication in the defensive backfield is the number one thing to track. They have the talent, but do they know the system?
- The Freshman "Wreckers": Look for Zayden Walker at linebacker. The coaches are looking for "creative ways" to get him on the field, which usually means he's too good to sit on the bench.
The roster is mostly set. Now, it's just about who wants to hit someone in the spring heat of Athens.