Georgia football coach Kirby Smart either saved his team in portal or has unsustainable model ready to crumble

In the ever-evolving world of college football, the landscape has undergone a significant transformation over the past few years, particularly with the introduction of the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules. These changes have altered the way teams recruit, build rosters, and retain players, creating new challenges for coaches. One of the most prominent and successful coaches in this new era is Kirby Smart, the head coach of the University of Georgia football team.

Smart has overseen a period of unprecedented success for Georgia, culminating in back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022, with the Bulldogs continuing to dominate the college football landscape. Under Smart’s leadership, Georgia has become a juggernaut in recruiting, development, and roster management, building one of the most talented and deep programs in the nation. However, as successful as Smart’s tenure has been, the introduction of the transfer portal has forced him to adapt in ways that could have long-term implications for the program.

While Smart’s ability to recruit top-tier talent from high school has been a major factor in Georgia’s rise, the transfer portal has allowed him to fill gaps and address weaknesses on the roster in ways that were previously impossible. Through strategic use of the portal, Smart has been able to bolster his team with experienced players who can contribute immediately, rather than relying solely on freshman recruits. This has been especially important in maintaining Georgia’s elite status and ensuring that the program remains competitive year in and year out.

But with the transfer portal becoming an integral part of college football, a question has emerged: Is Smart’s reliance on the portal a sign of a sustainable and evolving model, or is it a temporary solution that could eventually come back to haunt Georgia? Will the success Smart has found in the portal continue, or will it create an unsustainable model that threatens the long-term stability of the program?

The Success of the Transfer Portal for Georgia

Under Kirby Smart, Georgia’s use of the transfer portal has been nothing short of brilliant. As a program that consistently recruits at a high level, Georgia’s ability to target and secure immediate contributors from the portal has allowed them to plug gaps and address areas of need quickly. In recent seasons, Georgia has used the portal to bring in several key players who have contributed significantly to the team’s success.

For example, one of the most notable portal acquisitions for Georgia in recent years was quarterback JT Daniels. Daniels, a former 5-star recruit who transferred from USC, was brought in to help Georgia during a period when the Bulldogs were looking for a quarterback to lead the team. Daniels brought experience and talent to a position that had been a source of inconsistency for Georgia in previous years. His ability to step into a starting role and perform at a high level was crucial in Georgia’s success during his time with the program.

In addition to Daniels, Smart has also targeted and successfully recruited players who have filled key roles in Georgia’s defense and offensive line. The transfer portal has allowed Georgia to stay ahead of the curve, ensuring that even when they lose key players to the NFL Draft or graduation, they have the ability to replace them with experienced veterans who can contribute right away. This has been particularly beneficial on the defensive side of the ball, where Georgia has maintained its reputation as one of the most dominant defenses in college football.

The ability to add experienced players through the portal has also given Smart the flexibility to take more risks in recruiting high school players who may need more time to develop. If a player doesn’t pan out immediately, Smart can rely on the portal to bring in a proven commodity. This has allowed Georgia to continue its success even as the program loses star players to the NFL Draft, making it one of the most stable and consistent programs in college football.

The Dangers of Over-Reliance on the Portal

Despite the success Georgia has had with the transfer portal, there are inherent risks in relying too heavily on it. While the portal can be a valuable tool for filling gaps and addressing immediate needs, it can also create long-term instability if a program becomes too dependent on it.

One of the main concerns with an over-reliance on the transfer portal is that it can lead to a lack of continuity and development within the program. Unlike high school recruits who have the opportunity to grow and develop within a program for multiple years, transfers are often brought in for immediate impact. While this can help a team in the short term, it may stunt the growth of younger players who don’t have the chance to develop into starting roles.

In the case of Georgia, Smart has built a culture that emphasizes player development, but the introduction of the transfer portal complicates that process. Players who might have once had the opportunity to sit on the bench and develop behind upperclassmen are now more likely to transfer out of the program in search of playing time. Additionally, the constant turnover brought on by the portal means that Smart may have to constantly recruit to fill spots, which can create a lack of cohesion and a constantly shifting roster.

Furthermore, an over-reliance on the portal can lead to a lack of institutional loyalty. College football programs that rely heavily on transfers risk creating a mercenary-like environment, where players come in for a year or two before moving on to the next program. This could ultimately lead to a lack of long-term stability within the program, as players do not have the same level of investment or commitment to the program as those who have been developed from the ground up.

Moreover, relying on the transfer portal to fill immediate gaps can lead to a situation where a program is constantly playing catch-up, recruiting players who are already developed but may not have the same long-term potential as high school recruits. While portal players can contribute immediately, they may not always have the same growth potential as recruits who have been groomed within the program. This could prevent Georgia from building a sustainable pipeline of talent, which is essential for long-term success.

Is Kirby Smart Building a Sustainable Model?

While there are risks associated with an over-reliance on the transfer portal, it is clear that Kirby Smart is fully aware of the potential pitfalls and is working to mitigate them. Smart has built a program that emphasizes both player development and roster depth, and while the transfer portal has certainly played a role in that, it has not been the sole factor in Georgia’s success.

Smart’s focus on recruiting and developing high school talent remains at the core of Georgia’s success. While the Bulldogs are successful in the portal, they continue to bring in elite recruits every year, building a foundation that will keep the program strong in the long run. Georgia’s sustained success under Smart is a testament to his ability to balance the needs of the present with the future, ensuring that the program’s long-term trajectory remains strong.

Additionally, Smart’s emphasis on maintaining a strong culture within the program helps to mitigate the potential negative effects of relying too heavily on the portal. While transfers can help fill gaps and provide immediate help, the foundation of Georgia’s success is still built on developing players who buy into the team’s culture and are committed to long-term growth.

That said, the transfer portal’s growing influence is something that Smart must continue to manage carefully. While the immediate results have been positive, the long-term sustainability of Georgia’s program will depend on how effectively Smart can balance the influx of transfers with his traditional approach to recruiting and player development. If Smart can continue to use the portal strategically, filling immediate gaps without undermining the team’s overall cohesion and growth, then Georgia’s success could remain sustainable for years to come.