Three years removed from back-to-back national titles, Georgia fans are facing a new kind of uncertainty. Not the kind that comes from being unranked or undermanned: no, the Bulldogs still have elite talent, depth, and coaching. But the sport itself has shifted under everyone’s feet, and UGA’s grasp on the top tier feels less stable than it did when confetti fell in Indianapolis and Los Angeles.
College football’s new era, marked by unlimited transfers and the explosion of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, has dramatically altered how rosters are built—and maintained. The Dawgs, once seemingly immune to chaos under Kirby Smart’s structured system, are not untouched by this new volatility.
For many UGA fans, the uncertainty begins at the most important position: quarterback.
After Carson Beck’s departure, Gunner Stockton steps in, but his status remains unproven. Although he has been in the program for years, this is his first genuine opportunity to lead, to coalesce the team behind him through spring and fall camps. He’s surrounded by talent, yes, but that’s not always enough in the SEC. Stockton has the tools—strong arm, mobility, and knowledge of the system—but he’s never had to carry this kind of weight. It’s a lot to ask in a league that now features instant-impact QBs from the portal and high-priced signal callers lured by aggressive NIL collectives.
The Transfer Portal: A Blessing and a Curse
Unlimited transfers have transformed recruiting from a high school-centric model into a year-round scramble. Georgia’s staff now has to recruit high school prospects, existing college players, and—critically—their own roster. Players leave more freely than ever, and top programs like UGA, which develop elite talent but can’t promise everyone starting reps, are at constant risk of losing depth. That’s been evident across the SEC. Talented backups across all position groups are now one season—or one spring practice—away from exploring their options elsewhere. Georgia is no exception. Keeping second-string talent from becoming someone else’s starter is now a full-time job.
NIL and the Talent Arms Race
If the portal provides the freedom, NIL delivers the fuel. It’s no longer just about tradition, facilities, or NFL development. Money talks, and the top-tier programs are locked in a cold war of collectives. While Georgia has made gains in NIL infrastructure, other programs have been more aggressive in their public approach, creating a perception among fans that UGA might fall behind in securing the nation’s most dynamic talent. This affects recruiting at both ends. The high school prospects coming in and the transfer stars are considering where they’ll make the most hay, not just on the field, but in their bank accounts as well. In some cases, players have chosen to commit elsewhere solely due to the NIL structure. That reality creates tension among Georgia’s base. Smart has built a ‘team-first’ culture, and some worry that bringing in high-dollar transfers or trying to outbid others could threaten that chemistry. However, the risk of staying passive in the NIL game may be greater than the cost of adapting. By embracing the new era of college football, Georgia can secure the nation’s most dynamic talent and maintain its competitive edge.
Kirby Smart’s Culture vs. College Football’s Chaos
Still, there’s one constant that continues to give fans confidence: Kirby Smart. Smart has weathered storms before. He built Georgia into a powerhouse not through gimmicks or flash, but with an old-school commitment to toughness, competition, and development, along with a fully funded, nationally leading recruiting budget. That approach produced a wave of NFL Draft picks, record-breaking defenses, and back-to-back national titles—something no SEC team outside Alabama has done in decades, if ever. He’s also quietly evolved. In recent years, Smart has demonstrated a willingness to adapt offensively, letting go of what many fans considered overly conservative tendencies and embracing new recruiting tactics. There’s no reason to believe he won’t continue to evolve to meet this moment. Stockton’s unknown ceiling, portal churn, and NIL disruptions all present real challenges. But if there’s one thing Georgia fans should have learned by now, it’s this: Never doubt Kirby Smart’s ability to solve problems.
A Brief Reminder of What Smart Has Built
Since taking over in 2016, Smart has:
• Reached three national championship games.
• Won two national titles (2021 and 2022).
• Secured top-three recruiting classes nearly every year.
• Produced dozens of NFL Draft picks, including first-rounders at almost every position group.
• Maintained a program culture that’s been admired even by rival coaches.
Now, in 2025, Georgia finds itself in uncharted waters— not because the program is slipping, but because the game itself has changed. Recruiting is an entirely different venture with financial offers grabbing the headlines, and the current roster will likely have to be re-recruited annually to keep players out of the portal. Still, if history is any guide, Kirby Smart will adapt; in fact, he already has adjusted his program to the current conditions. Under Smart’s leadership, the Dawgs won’t just survive this new era; they’ll be right back in the hunt for another national championship.
