Georgia Football Believes Fire, Passion and Energy Can Overcome Inexperience as Bulldogs Chase Another Championship in 2025 Season

The expectations haven’t changed in Athens. Despite losing a wealth of experience to the NFL and graduation, the Georgia Bulldogs enter the 2025 college football season with their eyes set on a national championship. The names on the roster may look different and the experience may not be what it once was, but one thing remains clear: the Bulldogs still believe.

Head coach Kirby Smart has built Georgia into a national powerhouse, and while that consistency of excellence typically comes with a veteran-heavy lineup, this year’s edition of the Bulldogs will rely more on raw energy and emotion than ever before. As Smart and his staff usher in a new wave of talent, it’s the intangible elements—fire, passion, and energy—that they believe will bridge the gap until the talent catches up with the moment.

There’s no denying that this version of Georgia football lacks the battle-tested resume of its recent predecessors. Gone are established stars on both sides of the ball, leaders who played pivotal roles in title runs and College Football Playoff pushes. But the Georgia way isn’t only about experience. It’s about culture. It’s about doing your job with intensity, commitment, and heart. Those traits, according to coaches and players alike, will define the 2025 Bulldogs.

When spring practices began, the tone was set quickly. Coaches demanded high energy. Players echoed the call, creating a culture of relentless effort that pervaded every drill and every team meeting. Defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann, a longtime staple of the program, emphasized that vocal leadership and youthful enthusiasm aren’t just welcomed—they’re needed.

“We’ve got a lot of guys who haven’t played 500 snaps of college football yet,” Schumann said. “But that’s not going to stop us from being great. We’ve got kids who care, who fly to the football, who want to be coached hard. That’s where our edge is going to come from.”

That edge might come in the form of players like sophomore linebacker Malik Dawson, who is expected to step into a major role this fall. Dawson, though short on starting experience, brings a motor and voice that’s hard to ignore.

“You can hear Malik before you see him,” laughed senior safety Javon Bullard. “He brings energy every day, and it’s contagious. When we’re tired, he’s still going. That matters. That’s leadership, even if you haven’t started a game yet.”

It’s not just defense where Georgia is leaning into youthful energy. On offense, first-year starting quarterback Trey Leonard is tasked with leading the huddle. A former five-star recruit who sat behind Carson Beck last season, Leonard is entering his first season under center with sky-high expectations and plenty to prove.

“I’m not going to pretend I’ve been in this spot before,” Leonard admitted during fall camp. “But I’ve prepared for this. The coaches trust me. My teammates trust me. We’re building something together. And we’re not waiting until next year or the year after. We’re ready now.”

Leonard’s readiness stems from more than just arm talent. Coaches rave about his leadership in the weight room and meeting rooms, pointing to his relentless work ethic as a tone-setter. For an offense breaking in a new quarterback, multiple new starters on the offensive line, and two young wideouts expected to carry the load, that kind of example matters.

“We talk about culture every day,” said offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. “That culture doesn’t just live in the guys who’ve been here for four or five years. It lives in the guys who sprint between drills, who pick up their teammates, who celebrate a big block just as much as a touchdown. That’s what Trey brings. That’s what this whole group is bringing.”

It’s easy to understand why Georgia is placing such an emphasis on emotion and effort. The schedule doesn’t offer much room for growing pains. A Week 2 showdown with Texas looms large, followed by SEC battles that include Tennessee, Alabama, and Ole Miss. For a young team, every test will come with consequences. But Smart believes that fire can be just as effective as familiarity—if it’s channeled properly.

“People think experience wins championships,” Smart said at SEC Media Days. “But I’ve seen experienced teams go flat, and I’ve seen young teams catch fire. It’s about who you are, what you believe, and how hard you’re willing to fight when the lights are brightest. I like this team. They’re hungry.”

That hunger may be the defining trait of this squad. Veterans like Bullard, running back Branson Robinson, and edge rusher Mykel Williams provide a strong foundation. But it’s the wave of newcomers—redshirt freshmen, true sophomores, and even a few early enrollees—who are being asked to carry the torch.

Names like wide receiver Julian “Jet” Harris, defensive back Cam Garrison, and interior lineman Tyree Wynn have all turned heads in camp. None of them were major contributors last season. That won’t matter if they play with the kind of tenacity Georgia’s staff is asking for.

“It’s a mentality,” said Bullard. “You either buy in or you don’t. We’ve got a locker room full of guys who are all-in. I don’t care if you’re 22 years old or 18—if you bring it every day, we’re going to ride with you.”

There’s also a sense among coaches that the lack of established roles has fueled even greater competition. With few guaranteed starting jobs, players are pushing each other harder than ever. Iron sharpens iron, and in Georgia’s case, it might just mold a young team into a contender faster than expected.

Of course, there will be growing pains. Mistakes will happen. But Smart and his staff are prepared for that, too. What they aren’t prepared to tolerate is apathy. Effort, communication, and commitment will earn more playing time than seniority.

“We’re going to play the guys who give us the best chance to win, period,” Smart said. “If that’s a freshman, so be it. If it’s a walk-on who busts his tail, we’ll reward that. The standard doesn’t change.”

The standard. That word gets tossed around in Athens like a badge of honor. And it should. Since Smart’s arrival, Georgia has captured two national championships and reached the College Football Playoff three times. The Bulldogs are no longer building toward greatness—they’re maintaining it. And in a year where inexperience might seem like a liability, they’re betting that energy and buy-in can be just as powerful.

If Georgia’s formula works, 2025 could be one of Smart’s most rewarding coaching efforts yet. To take a team loaded with potential but light on experience and guide it through the gauntlet of the SEC? That’s no easy feat. But it’s one Georgia is embracing.

“We don’t want anyone to hand us anything,” said Leonard. “We want to earn it. Every yard. Every win. Every rep. That’s what this season is about.”

And while the nation may point to Georgia’s youth as a weakness, inside that locker room, it’s a different story. Fire. Passion. Energy. That’s the fuel they believe can spark another championship run—experience or not.