Georgia rises in ESPN's updated college football rankings
Georgia rises in ESPN's updated college football rankings
ESPN ranks the Georgia Bulldogs higher in their post-spring college football top 25 rankings than they did following the 2024 college football season. Georgia notably made several key moves in the transfer portal during the spring to strengthen their roster.
The Bulldogs looked good in their spring game and did not lose any major contributors via the spring transfer portal. Georgia checks in as the No. 4 team in Mark Schlabach's post-spring top 25, which is one spot higher than Georgia was in the winter version of the rankings.
Georgia is ranked behind No. 3 Texas, No. 2 Clemson and No. 1 Penn State. The defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes round out the top five at No. 5.
Schlabach likes what Georgia has done to improve its wide receiver room. The Bulldogs added Texas A&M transfer Noah Thomas and USC transfer Zachariah Branch via the winter transfer portal.
"Georgia's receiver corps, which was a problem area in 2024, might actually be a strength in 2025," said Schlabach. Georgia's receivers will try to help out projected starting quarterback Gunner Stockton, who helped Georgia win the SEC championship and played well in Georgia's Sugar Bowl loss to Notre Dame.
One of Georgia's top spring transfers is bruising Illinois running back Josh McCray. "McCray led the Illini with 609 rushing yards and 10 scores last season; his physical running style will complement (Nate) Frazier," said Schlabach.
Georgia's offense should be in a decent place for the 2025 season. However, the Dawgs have a lot of question marks on defense and in the trenches.
Georgia lost four starting offensive linemen to the 2025 NFL draft and seven of their eight leading sack producers from last season. Schlabach outlines some new faces that could make an immediate impact for Georgia's defense.
"Coach Kirby Smart made Modozie a priority in the spring portal window after the Bulldogs lost NFL first-round picks Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams. Modozie had 6.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss for the (Army) Black Knights in 2024. Freshman Elijah Griffin, the No. 1 defensive tackle prospect in the 2025 ESPN 300, made a great impression in spring practice and should contribute immediately," noted Schlabach.
Georgia's 2025 schedule is a little more manageable, so we may have to wait a while to see how good this UGA team is. The Dawgs don't have a true test until Week 3 at Tennessee.
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