Following Georgia’s latest commitment, several players have entered the transfer portal, seeking new opportunities. The Bulldogs’ roster turnover includes various key contributors from last season.
The University of Georgia football program, under head coach Kirby Smart, has become one of the premier programs in college football over the past few seasons. Known for its consistently elite recruiting, player development, and winning culture, Georgia has enjoyed tremendous success, including winning back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022. As the 2023 offseason progresses, however, the Bulldogs are dealing with the inevitable roster turnover that comes with such success.
In particular, several players have entered the transfer portal, seeking new opportunities and playing time at other programs. These departures come after Georgia’s latest commitment—a highly touted recruit that further bolstered the team’s roster for the upcoming season. The result is a mix of excitement and questions about how the Bulldogs will adjust. While roster turnover is inevitable in college football, especially for teams that compete at the highest level, Georgia is navigating a wave of transfers that will shape its future.
This article will take a closer look at the outgoing transfers from the Georgia football program, the reasons behind their departures, the impact these transfers may have on Georgia’s roster, and how the Bulldogs plan to respond as they prepare for the 2023 season.
The Transfer Portal Era: A New Reality for College Football
Before delving into the specifics of Georgia’s outgoing transfers, it’s important to understand the context of the current state of college football. The advent of the transfer portal has dramatically changed the landscape of college sports. The portal allows players to transfer between schools more easily than ever before, providing them with the opportunity to seek playing time, a new environment, or a program that better fits their style of play.
For players at programs like Georgia, which has recruited some of the best talent in the country, the portal often becomes an outlet for those who are buried on the depth chart and looking for more playing time. It can also be a tool for athletes who feel they’ve accomplished what they set out to do at their current school and are looking for a fresh start.
The transfer portal is a double-edged sword for teams. While it can lead to players leaving in search of opportunities elsewhere, it also offers a means of replenishing rosters. For Georgia, which remains a national title contender, the portal allows them to reload and potentially bring in talent that can immediately contribute.
In the case of Georgia’s outgoing transfers, the impact will be felt both in terms of depth and experience, as many of the players who entered the portal were contributors at various positions.
The Outgoing Transfers: Key Players and Their Departures
As Georgia prepares for another high-profile season, a number of players have decided to enter the transfer portal. Some of these players were key contributors to the Bulldogs’ previous success, while others were part of a younger class who couldn’t crack the starting lineup. Regardless, each transfer departure has a ripple effect on Georgia’s roster, and understanding the reasons behind their decisions is critical for assessing what’s next for the Bulldogs.
1. Quarterback: Brock Vandagriff
One of the more surprising departures came from quarterback Brock Vandagriff. A highly regarded recruit in the 2021 class, Vandagriff was seen as one of the future faces of Georgia’s quarterback room. However, with Stetson Bennett leading the team to back-to-back national championships and Carson Beck firmly entrenched as the starting quarterback heading into 2023, Vandagriff found himself behind in the depth chart. Seeking an opportunity to compete for a starting job elsewhere, Vandagriff entered the transfer portal.
The departure of Vandagriff leaves a void in Georgia’s quarterback depth chart. Beck is expected to be the starter, and Georgia will now need to find a backup quarterback who can provide depth and potentially step in if needed. For Vandagriff, the move is likely about finding a system where he can start and develop further as a quarterback, as he has immense talent but faced stiff competition at Georgia.
2. Running Back: Lovasea Carroll
Another player to enter the transfer portal was running back Lovasea Carroll. Carroll, who was a four-star recruit in the 2020 class, struggled to find consistent playing time behind a deep and talented running back room at Georgia. Despite showing flashes of talent, Carroll couldn’t break into the rotation alongside the likes of Kendall Milton, Daijun Edwards, and freshman sensation Branson Robinson.
Carroll’s decision to leave is understandable, as he is likely looking for an opportunity to be a lead back at another program. While his departure reduces depth at the running back position, Georgia has a stable of talented backs, including Milton, Edwards, and Robinson, who will ensure the position remains one of the team’s strengths.
3. Wide Receiver: Justin Robinson
Wide receiver Justin Robinson’s departure also generated attention. A former four-star recruit, Robinson had plenty of potential but struggled to find consistent playing time in a crowded receiver room. The emergence of players like Ladd McConkey, Kearis Jackson, and Adonai Mitchell left Robinson on the outside looking in.
For Robinson, the transfer portal provides an opportunity to find a program where he can make a bigger impact as a starting receiver. Georgia’s receiver room remains stacked, but the Bulldogs will need to replace the depth lost with Robinson’s departure.
4. Offensive Line: Tate Ratledge
Tate Ratledge, a key contributor on Georgia’s offensive line, made the decision to leave the program as well. Ratledge played an important role in Georgia’s success, including their national championship run. His decision to transfer may come as a surprise, but it’s likely due to a combination of factors, including the potential for a new opportunity and the pressure to maintain a starting role with Georgia’s deep and competitive offensive line unit.
While Ratledge’s departure creates a hole in the offensive line, Georgia remains stacked with talent at the position, and the Bulldogs have several highly ranked recruits ready to step into the lineup. Still, Georgia will need to replace his experience and leadership on the field.
5. Defensive Line: Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins’ decision to enter the transfer portal shocked some, as the defensive lineman was seen as a key part of Georgia’s future defensive front. Ingram-Dawkins was a key rotational player, contributing to the Bulldogs’ suffocating defense. His size, strength, and athleticism made him an important piece, but with Georgia’s depth on the defensive line, he may have sought a more prominent role at another program.
The Bulldogs’ defense, under Kirby Smart’s leadership, has always been the backbone of their success, and while Ingram-Dawkins’ departure is a blow to the depth on the defensive line, Georgia has the ability to replace him with the same type of elite talent that has come to define their defense.
6. Defensive Back: Jalen Kimber
Jalen Kimber’s decision to enter the transfer portal also raised eyebrows. Kimber was a talented cornerback who played a part in Georgia’s secondary, but with the emergence of younger players, including the return of star cornerback Kelee Ringo, Kimber’s playing time was expected to diminish. Seeking a fresh start, Kimber will likely transfer to a program where he can be a more integral part of the defense.
Georgia’s secondary remains one of the best in the nation, so Kimber’s departure will not have a major impact on the defense. However, his exit does reduce depth at the cornerback position, meaning the Bulldogs will need to develop their younger players to ensure continuity.
7. Linebacker: Trezmen Marshall
Linebacker Trezmen Marshall, a key player in Georgia’s linebacker corps, also entered the transfer portal. Marshall had an up-and-down career in Athens, seeing his playing time fluctuate due to injuries and competition for snaps. As Georgia continues to bring in high-level talent at linebacker, Marshall’s decision to leave is likely tied to the increased competition and his desire to get more playing time.
Marshall’s departure leaves Georgia with a need to develop more depth at linebacker, but with players like Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Smael Mondon leading the unit, the Bulldogs remain well-equipped to continue their dominance on defense.
Impact of the Departures on Georgia’s Roster
The departure of these players has a noticeable impact on Georgia’s depth chart, but it’s important to keep in mind that the Bulldogs have built a program where the next wave of talent is always ready to step up. Kirby Smart has created a program where recruiting never stops, and even with several key transfers, Georgia has the talent to reload quickly.
From a positional perspective, Georgia has plenty of options to fill the voids left by these departures. For example, the running back room is still loaded, with Branson Robinson and Kendall Milton leading the way, and Georgia’s deep offensive line remains one of the best in the country. On defense, Georgia’s depth along the defensive line and in the secondary ensures that Smart’s defense will remain dominant.
Moreover, the transfer portal works both ways. Georgia has been active in bringing in transfers from other programs, and the Bulldogs are expected to continue to use the portal to bolster their roster as needed. Smart’s ability to find high-quality transfers and integrate them into the program will help mitigate the losses of these key players.
The Future of Georgia Football
While the departures of key players may raise some questions about Georgia’s depth and potential, the program remains in an excellent position to continue its success. Under Kirby Smart, Georgia has built a culture of excellence and a recruiting machine that ensures the Bulldogs will always have the talent to compete for championships. The incoming recruits, combined with a deep roster of returning talent, make Georgia a team to watch in the 2023 season.
Ultimately, these transfers are simply a part of the cycle of college football, where players come and go. While it’s sad to see these talented players depart, Georgia’s ability to reload with elite talent will ensure that they remain at the top of the college football world. The Bulldogs may face some growing pains, but with Smart at the helm, their dominance is unlikely to end anytime soon.
