Georgia head coach Kirby Smart speaks with fans before the start of the Georgia G-Day spring football game in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
Georgia Bulldogs confront painful exodus as Kirby Smart grapples with loss of 17 key players in surprising turnover
The Georgia Bulldogs, long celebrated as the embodiment of consistency and dominance in college football under head coach Kirby Smart, are now staring at a rare and daunting challenge. In an offseason defined by turbulence, attrition, and abrupt change, Smart is confronting one of the most significant player exoduses of his tenure in Athens — the loss of 17 key contributors from the 2024 roster.
From transfer portal exits to NFL declarations and unexpected retirements, Georgia’s spring camp has been more about adaptation than preparation. The staggering turnover isn’t just a numerical problem; it’s a cultural reckoning, a stress test of the very foundation that has delivered two national championships and kept the Bulldogs entrenched in the College Football Playoff conversation.
A Rare Shakeup in Athens
For a program that prides itself on reloading rather than rebuilding, losing 17 critical pieces in one offseason is jarring. The departures span nearly every position group — from defensive stalwarts and offensive weapons to locker room leaders and rotational depth.
“I’ve never had this much transition at one time,” Kirby Smart admitted during a recent press conference. “We’ve dealt with guys going pro early. We’ve dealt with transfers. But the combination of everything this offseason… it’s a new reality.”
Among the departed are cornerstone players such as defensive tackle Nazir Stackhouse, linebacker Smael Mondon Jr., offensive lineman Amarius Mims, and starting quarterback Carson Beck, who shocked many by declaring for the NFL Draft despite one year of eligibility remaining.
Adding to the pressure is the exodus of veterans like running back Kendall Milton, wide receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, and safety Javon Bullard — each of whom played pivotal roles in shaping Georgia’s identity in 2023 and 2024.
Transfer Portal Turmoil
The portal has reshaped college football, and even elite programs aren’t immune. Georgia has seen a record number of players test the waters in search of playing time and fresh opportunities elsewhere.
Sophomore wideout Anthony Evans III, a rising star with blazing speed, surprised fans by entering the portal, as did cornerback Nyland Green, who was widely expected to contend for a starting job this season. Linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr., once a prized recruit, also opted to leave the program, seeking a more prominent role than what he found in Athens.
“Everybody wants to play, and we get that,” Smart said. “But at Georgia, you earn that opportunity. Some guys don’t want to wait their turn anymore, and that’s the climate we’re in now.”
In total, Georgia saw nine players enter the transfer portal this offseason — a sharp contrast to the program’s usual player retention rate.
NFL Dreams Accelerate the Process
The NFL Draft has long been a point of pride for Georgia, but this year, it has felt more like a gut punch than a celebration. Several underclassmen who might have benefitted from an additional year of development decided to take their talents to the next level.
Beck’s decision to leave, in particular, rocked the quarterback room. After passing for over 3,800 yards and 29 touchdowns last season, he was widely viewed as a Heisman Trophy candidate heading into 2025. With Beck gone, the Bulldogs now turn to a competition featuring redshirt sophomore Gunner Stockton and freshman phenom Ryan Puglisi.
Smart didn’t mince words when discussing the impact of early departures. “You want to support guys chasing their dreams, but sometimes it’s hard not to think what could’ve been if they’d stayed just one more year,” he said.
Leadership Vacuum in the Locker Room
Beyond the stat sheets and film sessions, Georgia is losing a vital intangible: leadership. The Bulldogs are parting ways with multiple captains and key voices who helped anchor the program’s culture of discipline and accountability.
Bullard, Stackhouse, and Rosemy-Jacksaint were not only productive players but also the emotional backbone of the team. Their absence leaves a leadership void that Smart and his staff will work feverishly to fill during spring and summer workouts.
“There are always going to be guys who step up, but losing that many experienced voices at once — it changes things,” said inside linebackers coach Glenn Schumann. “It forces the younger guys to mature quicker than usual.”
The leadership gap is especially concerning on the defensive side of the ball, where Georgia’s complex schemes require veteran presence to ensure proper alignment and communication.
A Test of Development and Depth
Smart has often said, “If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.” That mantra will be tested more than ever in 2025. Fortunately for the Bulldogs, they’ve consistently stacked elite recruiting classes, giving them one of the deepest rosters in college football.
Five-star prospects like linebacker Justin Williams, safety KJ Bolden, and wide receiver Ny Carr now find themselves thrust into potentially prominent roles. Stockton, once a highly-rated QB prospect himself, now must prove he can command the offense in Beck’s absence.
“Development has always been a pillar of our program,” Smart said. “We’ve built this thing with the idea that the next man is ready. That’s how we stay consistent.”
Still, even with elite talent, the experience drop-off is significant. Many of Georgia’s new starters have limited in-game reps, and a brutal SEC schedule offers little room for error.
Defensive Identity Faces an Evolution
No unit was hit harder than Georgia’s vaunted defense. With Mondon, Stackhouse, Bullard, Green, and Sorey all gone, the Bulldogs will be forced to reimagine their defensive core.
Co-defensive coordinators Will Muschamp and Schumann are among the best in the business, but even they acknowledge that rebuilding cohesion will take time.
“We’ll have to simplify some things early,” Muschamp said. “You’ve got new voices communicating, new guys calling coverages. That takes reps. That takes trust.”
Junior defensive end Mykel Williams is now the face of the defense, while sophomore linebacker CJ Allen is expected to take on a leadership role inside. Redshirt freshman Ellis Robinson IV, a top-ranked cornerback in the 2023 class, is also being groomed to anchor the secondary.
Offensive Philosophy Could Shift
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo is facing his own set of challenges. Without Beck, Milton, and three starting offensive linemen, Bobo may pivot toward a more run-heavy approach to ease the transition for a new quarterback.
Running backs Branson Robinson and Roderick Robinson II will likely lead the charge, while sophomore tight end Lawson Luckie could see an expanded role as a safety valve in the passing game.
Georgia also added key transfer portal pieces on offense, including former Missouri wideout Luther Burden III, a dynamic playmaker who should help stretch the field.
“The offense may look different, but the goal is the same — move the ball, control the clock, and score points,” Bobo said.
Recruiting Remains Elite, but Pressure Mounts
Despite the turnover, Georgia’s recruiting machine hasn’t slowed down. The Bulldogs signed the nation’s No. 2 class in 2025, featuring nine five-star prospects. That kind of talent acquisition softens the blow, but it doesn’t erase the urgency.
Georgia’s championship window remains open, but it’s narrower than in past seasons. Alabama is retooling under Kalen DeBoer, Texas and Oklahoma are joining the SEC with momentum, and Tennessee, LSU, and Ole Miss continue to close the gap.
Smart, ever the competitor, isn’t shying away from the challenge.
“No one feels sorry for Georgia,” he said. “We don’t want them to. We’ll coach harder, demand more, and keep raising the standard.”
Spring Camp: More Questions Than Answers
The annual G-Day spring game offered some early glimpses but raised as many questions as it answered. Stockton showed flashes but was inconsistent. The offensive line struggled to protect, and the defense looked disjointed at times.
However, there were also bright spots. Freshman defensive back Ellis Robinson made two pass breakups. Wide receiver Dominic Lovett appeared more comfortable in the offense. And freshman linebacker Justin Williams looked like a future All-American in limited snaps.
“The spring is about evaluation,” Smart said. “We’ve got a long way to go, but I’m encouraged by the work ethic and competitiveness of this group.”
Looking Ahead: The 2025 Outlook
With a daunting schedule that includes road trips to Texas, Ole Miss, and a neutral-site battle against Clemson, Georgia doesn’t have the luxury of easing into the season. Every phase of the team — offense, defense, and special teams — will need to grow up fast.
Still, the foundation built under Smart remains strong. Georgia isn’t starting over; it’s recalibrating. The losses are real, the transition is significant, but the expectations remain unchanged: compete for championships.
“There’s a reason why Georgia is Georgia,” said ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit. “Even when they lose 17 guys, they’ve got 17 more ready to go.”
A Defining Season Awaits
Every elite program eventually hits a crossroads — a moment that defines the next chapter of its legacy. For Georgia, 2025 may very well be that moment.
The loss of 17 key players is a gut punch, no doubt. But it’s also an opportunity. An opportunity to showcase the program’s depth, to develop the next wave of leaders, and to prove that the culture Kirby Smart built is built to last.
Painful as this offseason has been, it could also be the spark that ignites a new era of Bulldog greatness.
