Georgia Bulldogs Prepare to Launch 2025 Campaign With First Fall Practice as Anticipation Builds for Another Title Run
The Georgia football team is set to begin its first official fall practice later this week, a clear signal that the countdown to the 2025 college football season is in full swing. The Bulldogs, long considered one of the premier programs in the nation under the guidance of head coach Kirby Smart, enter this year with renewed ambition and the same championship-level expectations that have defined the team over the past several seasons. As summer winds down and practice ramps up, all eyes are on Athens to see whether Georgia can once again stake its claim as the top program in college football.
There’s a certain rhythm to life in the Southeastern Conference, especially in Georgia. The early days of August bring with them sweltering heat, conversations dominated by depth charts, and whispers of national title aspirations. For Georgia, that’s no longer wishful thinking—it’s the standard. After winning back-to-back national championships in the 2021 and 2022 seasons and coming within striking distance in 2023 and 2024, the Bulldogs are gearing up to chase yet another College Football Playoff berth.
Kirby Smart has built a dynasty in Athens through relentless recruiting, discipline, and a commitment to physical football. This year’s team, while still brimming with talent, has a number of questions that need answering during fall camp. The first practice is less about installing schemes or perfecting technique and more about evaluating the physical and mental condition of the players, setting the tone, and establishing the culture that will carry the team through a grueling SEC schedule.
One of the biggest storylines heading into the 2025 season is the quarterback situation. Carson Beck, who led the Bulldogs throughout the 2023 and 2024 seasons, is now off to the NFL, leaving a vacancy at the most important position on the field. Georgia has options, including former five-star recruits who have been waiting their turn, but the coaching staff will be keeping a close eye on every throw, decision, and leadership moment from the signal callers during camp.
Redshirt sophomore Gunner Stockton, who has had time to develop under Smart’s system, could have the edge in experience within the program. However, all eyes are on redshirt freshman Ryan Puglisi and early-enrolled true freshman Dylan Raiola, one of the most heralded quarterback recruits in recent memory. Raiola’s arm talent, poise, and football pedigree make him an intriguing option, even if he lacks collegiate experience. The next few weeks of practice could go a long way in determining who ultimately emerges as QB1.
But Georgia’s success doesn’t rest solely on the quarterback. The Bulldogs have built their recent success around depth, physicality, and an overwhelming defense that wears opponents down over four quarters. That identity will remain intact in 2025. With returning standouts at nearly every level of the defense, including the defensive line and linebacker corps, this year’s unit could be just as menacing as previous editions.
Names like Mykel Williams, who continues to evolve into one of the most dominant edge defenders in college football, and Malaki Starks, a dynamic playmaker in the secondary, will serve as the backbone of the defense. Smart and co-defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann will be tasked with blending new talent into the system while continuing to get the most out of seasoned veterans.
At linebacker, Georgia is expected to reload rather than rebuild. The Bulldogs have made a habit of churning out elite linebackers who combine sideline-to-sideline speed with bone-crunching physicality. Sophomore Raylen Wilson could be poised for a breakout season after flashing his athleticism in limited action last year. He’ll be joined by a host of hungry players eager to carve out their role in a unit that has historically set the tone for the defense.
Offensively, Georgia must retool its wide receiver room following the departures of several key playmakers. The transfer portal has helped in that regard, as has the continuous influx of elite high school talent. Sophomore wideout Anthony Evans and junior Dillon Bell are expected to take on larger roles, while transfers such as Deion Burks (from Purdue) could bring a needed spark to the passing game. Tight end Oscar Delp will also play a pivotal role in both the passing game and run blocking, taking over for Brock Bowers, who is now in the NFL.
Georgia’s offensive line, often overshadowed nationally despite its consistent dominance, remains one of the most physically imposing units in college football. Anchored by veterans with multiple years of starting experience, the line will once again be tasked with protecting the quarterback and opening up holes for the Bulldogs’ deep and talented backfield.
Speaking of the backfield, Georgia’s running back room is as deep as ever. Senior Daijun Edwards returns after a productive 2024 campaign, and he’ll be joined by a healthy Kendall Milton, assuming he can avoid the injury bug that’s plagued his career. Add in young talents like Roderick Robinson II and freshman Nate Frazier, and the Bulldogs have a stable of backs who can wear down any defense they face.
Special teams will also be an area to watch in camp. Georgia has often had the luxury of reliable kicking and punting, but both positions could be up for grabs depending on how things shake out in practice. Field position and consistency in the kicking game are vital in tight SEC contests, and Smart won’t take anything for granted.
While fall camp is largely about fundamentals, execution, and evaluation, it’s also about building chemistry and mental toughness. The grind of August, with its endless drills, meetings, and scrimmages in the stifling Georgia heat, is where championships are forged. The coaching staff understands that, and Smart has often said that how a team practices is the clearest indicator of how it will play when the lights come on.
The 2025 schedule doesn’t offer much breathing room. Georgia opens the season with a challenging non-conference matchup against UCLA in Atlanta, followed by a gauntlet of SEC opponents that includes Alabama, Tennessee, Texas, and rival Florida. With the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams, the path to the postseason may have changed, but the margin for error remains razor-thin in the SEC.
One misstep can cost a team a first-round bye, home-field advantage, or even a spot in the playoff altogether. Georgia knows that, and it’s why every practice rep in August matters. Every drill, every snap, every meeting is a brick in the foundation of a season that could culminate in yet another trip to the playoff and a shot at adding to the trophy case.
Kirby Smart’s track record speaks for itself. Since taking over in 2016, he has transformed Georgia into a perennial powerhouse, one that recruits at an elite level, develops players into NFL stars, and wins games with ruthless efficiency. But Smart is also the first to acknowledge that past success guarantees nothing in this sport. Every year brings a new team, new challenges, and new opportunities. That’s the message he’ll deliver to his players as fall camp begins.
There is a hunger within the program to get back to the mountaintop. Last season’s near-miss has only intensified that desire. The Bulldogs aren’t interested in moral victories or coming close. Their goal is clear: win the SEC, make the playoff, and bring another national title back to Athens. That journey begins not on Saturdays in the fall, but during hot, grueling August practices that shape the identity of a team.
So as Georgia takes the field later this week for its first practice of the 2025 season, there will be no shortage of storylines, questions, and expectations. But there will also be confidence—confidence rooted in a culture of excellence, an unmatched work ethic, and a belief that greatness is earned one rep at a time. The road to the playoff begins now, and Georgia is ready to start the climb.
