ONLY ONE MAKES THE FIRST TEAM — Georgia Football Sees Six Athlon Preseason All-Americans, but Just One Earns Top-Level Recognition
The Georgia Bulldogs, a program synonymous with dominance and loaded rosters, received a surprising bit of news this offseason that has raised eyebrows throughout the college football world. Athlon Sports, a well-respected outlet known for its in-depth preseason evaluations, released its annual Preseason All-American teams ahead of the 2025 college football season. As expected, Georgia had strong representation with six players earning honors. What wasn’t expected, however, was that only one Bulldog was listed as a first-team selection, while the other five were scattered across the second, third, and fourth teams. For a program that’s produced multiple first-round NFL Draft picks and All-Americans in recent years, the relatively modest placement is drawing attention, curiosity, and perhaps even motivation.
At the heart of it all is the question: how could a team as stacked and consistent as Georgia not have more first-team representatives? The answer may lie in a mix of roster transition, national parity, and perhaps a touch of underrating by national media outlets. Still, Georgia remains a program that doesn’t need external validation to define itself. The Bulldogs have proven repeatedly that preseason honors mean little when the real games begin. Even so, the Athlon selections offer a glimpse into how this year’s squad is being perceived ahead of kickoff and which players are being viewed as national standouts.
The lone first-team selection from Georgia, a seasoned defensive standout, is no stranger to accolades. He’s the type of player who has consistently shown up in big moments, anchoring one of the nation’s best defenses. His inclusion on the first team feels less like a nod to potential and more like a recognition of his proven performance. This Bulldog has already established himself as an NFL-caliber talent and a leader on and off the field. His spot among the elite is well-earned and unsurprising to those who follow the program closely. But the real story may be the five other Georgia players who found themselves a tier or two lower.
Each of those five Bulldogs placed on the second, third, or fourth teams brings elite talent and experience to the table. Whether it’s a rising junior offensive lineman, a hard-hitting safety, or a veteran wide receiver with game-breaking ability, these players have been pivotal pieces of Georgia’s recent success. The fact that none of them cracked the first team could be due to the stiff competition nationally at their positions or perhaps a perception that Georgia’s system spreads the wealth, making it harder for individual stars to compile gaudy stats. Whatever the reasoning, these placements will likely serve as fuel for players and coaches alike.
Georgia’s coaching staff, led by head coach Kirby Smart, thrives on perceived slights. Under Smart, the Bulldogs have turned doubt into dominance time and time again. Last year’s team entered the season with questions about replacing NFL talent, yet still finished as one of the best units in the country. The current crop of Athlon All-Americans might not reflect a team loaded with first-teamers, but it does showcase the depth and versatility of the roster. Having six players recognized across four teams is still an impressive feat and points to a well-rounded roster that doesn’t rely on one or two stars to carry the load.
The breakdown of Athlon’s selections reveals interesting insights into Georgia’s current roster composition. The fact that the only first-team nod came on the defensive side aligns with Georgia’s identity as a defense-first program. For years, the Bulldogs have boasted one of the most ferocious and disciplined defenses in college football, consistently ranking near the top in categories like scoring defense, total defense, and turnovers forced. The first-team honoree has been a linchpin in maintaining that standard. His recognition is a testament to both individual excellence and the coaching acumen of Georgia’s defensive staff.
Meanwhile, the offensive players who made the second or third teams should not be overlooked. Georgia’s offense has undergone a transformation in recent years, becoming more dynamic and explosive without sacrificing physicality or discipline. Several of the Athlon All-Americans from the offensive side are players expected to take on even greater roles this season. Whether it’s a quarterback tasked with leading a new-look offense, a wide receiver poised for a breakout campaign, or an offensive lineman anchoring the trenches, each brings enormous upside and experience. The absence of a first-team nod among them may reflect skepticism about production, but it doesn’t diminish the talent.
This kind of recognition—or lack thereof—has historically fueled Georgia’s rise. The Bulldogs don’t need the preseason spotlight to shine. Time and again, they’ve turned mid-season and postseason performances into statements that resonate far louder than any summer list. The players left off the first team will likely use that as motivation during fall camp and into the season, looking to prove that they belong among the elite. The internal competition, driven by both pride and pursuit of championships, often results in better performances when it matters most.
There’s also a larger context to consider. College football is currently flush with talent, especially with the emergence of the transfer portal and NIL-driven recruiting changes. As a result, there’s an increasing number of elite players spread more evenly across programs, making All-American selections tougher and more debatable than ever. It’s possible that voters are trying to distribute recognition more broadly, giving smaller programs their due while still acknowledging the heavyweights like Georgia. In that climate, having six players selected at all is a testament to how respected Georgia remains nationally.
Georgia’s response to this kind of recognition has always been to let the scoreboard do the talking. The Bulldogs enter the 2025 season once again projected as a College Football Playoff contender, with an SEC title and national championship very much in their sights. The foundation is in place—a deep roster, elite coaching staff, and a culture that refuses to be satisfied. The players who earned Athlon honors will be counted on as leaders and difference-makers. Whether they’re first team or fourth team, their contributions will go a long way in determining how far Georgia goes.
One of the overlooked benefits of having players scattered across different All-American teams is the motivation it provides in-house. With only one Bulldog on the first team, there’s now a clear target for others to aim for—not in a divisive sense, but as a goal to elevate performance and achieve recognition. Competition breeds excellence, and Georgia’s depth chart is full of future first-round picks and All-SEC talents just waiting for the spotlight. Expect this preseason list to be revisited later in the year with several Georgia players making strong cases for postseason first-team honors.
It’s also worth noting how preseason lists are rarely a reliable predictor of postseason awards. Injuries, breakout performances, and unexpected team success can all shift the narrative quickly. Georgia’s track record of producing breakout stars, especially on defense, suggests that at least a few of these lower-ranked selections could vault up the charts by the end of the season. Players like Nakobe Dean, Brock Bowers, and Jalen Carter all began their college careers as under-the-radar figures before becoming household names. This year’s group has the same potential.
In the end, being named a preseason All-American by Athlon is an honor, but it’s not the final word. Georgia’s players and coaches know that true greatness is defined by wins, championships, and how one performs in the spotlight of late November and early January. The Bulldogs have built a machine that isn’t dependent on external validation. Still, the fact that only one player was deemed first-team worthy will be remembered. It may not dominate headlines in July, but come playoff time, Georgia may once again be holding trophies and wondering why anyone ever doubted them in the first place.
