East Northport’s Preston Carey Eager to Shine at Georgia, Eyes Locked on NFL Future With Bulldog Dream Turning Real

Preston Carey has always played football with a vision far bigger than his Long Island hometown. The East Northport native, a towering and athletic offensive lineman, has long set his sights on competing at the highest level — first in the SEC, then the NFL. That dream has taken a massive step forward. Carey, one of the most physically imposing and technically sound tackles in the 2025 class, is now bound for Athens, where he’ll suit up for the Georgia Bulldogs, a program synonymous with dominance in the trenches and sending linemen to the professional ranks.

The moment Carey put pen to paper and committed to Georgia, he knew the challenge was real — and so was the opportunity. Georgia isn’t just another top-tier football program; it’s an NFL incubator, especially for linemen. Names like Andrew Thomas, Isaiah Wynn, and Broderick Jones have all transitioned from Georgia stalwarts to first-round NFL Draft picks. Carey doesn’t just want to follow that path — he wants to pave his own, starting with the Bulldogs’ iconic red and black.

“I feel like Georgia is exactly where I belong,” Carey said recently. “From the moment I stepped on campus, I knew this was the kind of place that builds pros — not just with talent, but with toughness, accountability, and the way they coach. I want to be part of that legacy.”

Carey, standing 6-foot-6 and weighing in around 290 pounds, isn’t just a physical marvel — he’s a technician. Coaches and scouts have long praised his footwork, hand placement, and understanding of leverage. What sets him apart, though, is his work ethic. It’s the kind of blue-collar approach that made Georgia take notice. Offensive line coach Stacy Searels, one of the most respected minds in college football, quickly locked in on Carey’s potential. After several visits, conversations, and a deeper look into who Carey is off the field, the Bulldogs didn’t just offer — they made him a priority.

Carey, for his part, didn’t take the decision lightly. A deeply loyal player with a tight-knit family, he took the time to evaluate every option. His recruitment featured high-level interest from programs across the country — including Penn State, Michigan, and LSU. But in the end, Georgia stood out for one big reason: development. Carey isn’t just looking for a place to win games. He’s looking for a place to grow into a future NFL starter.

“There are a lot of great programs, but not all of them take the time to shape the whole player — mentally, physically, and emotionally,” Carey said. “At Georgia, I know I’m going to be coached hard, I’m going to get better every day, and I’ll be surrounded by guys who are just as hungry as I am.”

Hunger is something Carey knows plenty about. Growing up in East Northport, a region not exactly known for churning out SEC-caliber football talent, Carey had to fight for every ounce of attention. He turned heads at camps, outworked opponents on Friday nights, and made sure to dominate not just physically, but with discipline and film study. His breakout moment came during the offseason prior to his junior year, when he showcased an impressive blend of agility and strength at a national showcase. From that point on, recruiting services elevated him from a regional name to a national blue-chip prospect.

But Carey stayed grounded. His family, including his father — a former college football player himself — kept him focused on the long game. They reminded him that football offers no guarantees. That the jump from Long Island to the SEC would require more than just strength. It would demand humility, patience, and resilience. So Carey went back to work — studying Georgia’s scheme, improving his flexibility, sharpening his mental toughness.

And Georgia kept watching.

When head coach Kirby Smart finally made the call to offer Carey a spot, the response wasn’t about emotion — it was about preparation.

“I wasn’t surprised because I knew I had worked for that moment,” Carey said. “But I was grateful. Because Georgia doesn’t just offer anyone. You have to earn it. That meant the world to me.”

Now, Carey is ready to join a Bulldogs program that has become a pipeline to the pros. The 2021 and 2022 national titles were anchored by dominant offensive line play, and Carey knows he’s walking into a room where every rep matters. He’s not expecting immediate playing time, but he’s preparing like he’ll be called on from Day 1.

“I’m not entitled to anything,” Carey said. “I want to earn every snap, every drill, every bit of trust from my coaches and teammates. I know nothing is handed to you in the SEC. That’s why I chose Georgia. Iron sharpens iron.”

Carey’s arrival comes at a time when Georgia is retooling its offensive front, looking for fresh energy and physicality as it reasserts itself as a national title contender in 2025. The Bulldogs finished fifth in the preseason composite rankings, and there’s a sense within the program that a new core — younger, faster, and even more hungry — will be key to another championship run. Carey may be part of that foundation, especially given his leadership traits.

His high school coaches described him as a “coach on the field,” someone who mentored younger players, led offseason workouts, and held himself accountable even when no one was watching. That maturity has already drawn praise from Georgia’s staff, who see in Carey not just a long-term project, but a player who can one day wear the captain’s ‘C’.

“The NFL is the dream,” Carey said. “That’s the end goal, no doubt. But I’m not thinking about that first. I’m thinking about my teammates, my development, and doing whatever Georgia needs from me to win.”

He knows the eyes of NFL scouts will be on Athens. They always are. But Carey’s focus is inward. He wants to earn respect inside the locker room before he ever considers external accolades.

The Bulldogs believe in that mindset. That’s how legends are built in Athens. That’s how linemen go from raw talent to first-rounders. And that’s the journey Preston Carey now embarks upon — one forged in East Northport, tested in the SEC, and driven by a vision of Sundays spent under brighter lights.

Georgia fans already see something special in Carey. And if his trajectory continues, it won’t be long before the rest of the country sees it, too. Whether anchoring the line in Sanford Stadium or one day shaking Roger Goodell’s hand at the NFL Draft, Preston Carey is on a mission. Not for fame. Not for flash. But for excellence — the Georgia way.