Georgia uses the transfer portal to get a second player.
Georgia Lands Second Player from Transfer Portal as Bulldogs Reload for 2025 Season
The Georgia Bulldogs have added their second player from the transfer portal this offseason, securing a key piece to their 2025 roster and signaling that head coach Kirby Smart is continuing to aggressively retool his team with championship aspirations in mind.
This time, the Bulldogs landed former Michigan State wide receiver Jalen West, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound junior who brings experience, physicality, and playmaking ability to a Georgia offense looking to get even more explosive next fall. West’s commitment comes just a week after Georgia added BYU transfer forward Caleb Wilson to the basketball team—and now, football gets its own high-profile addition.
A Big Pick-Up for the Bulldogs’ Offense
West caught 42 passes for 613 yards and six touchdowns in 2024 for a struggling Michigan State squad that finished 4–8. Despite the team’s inconsistent quarterback play and offensive line issues, West stood out as one of the Spartans’ most reliable and dangerous options, especially in contested catch situations.
His breakout game came against Michigan, where he hauled in eight receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown against a top-five defense. The performance caught the attention of scouts and opposing coaches, and West would go on to finish the season as Michigan State’s leading receiver.
Now, he brings his talents to Athens, joining a Georgia wide receiver room already boasting returning talent in Dominic Lovett, Rara Thomas, and sophomore burner Anthony Evans III.
“I’m fired up to be a part of something special at Georgia,” West said in a statement on social media. “Coach Smart and the staff showed a lot of love and laid out a plan that made sense for me. I want to win and compete at the highest level—and Georgia gives me that chance.”
A Transfer Portal Strategy Built for Contention
Kirby Smart has consistently emphasized high school recruiting as Georgia’s foundation, but the Bulldogs have also shown they know how to strategically dip into the portal when needed. West is Georgia’s second portal addition for 2025 and provides an instant-impact weapon who has played—and thrived—at the Power Five level.
West’s commitment comes on the heels of Georgia losing wide receiver Arian Smith to the NFL Draft and Jackson Meeks to the transfer portal earlier this offseason. With depth concerns potentially looming, Smart and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo identified West early as a top target.
“Jalen brings a veteran presence to our room,” Bobo said. “He’s tough, he’s physical, and he makes plays in big moments. He’s the kind of player you want lining up on third down, when the game is on the line.”
The Bulldogs are expected to use West both outside and in the slot, capitalizing on his ability to win matchups at all three levels of the field. His combination of size, route-running, and yards-after-catch potential makes him a perfect fit in Georgia’s evolving passing attack.
Fan and Analyst Reactions
News of West’s commitment was met with widespread approval among Georgia fans and analysts alike. On social media, UGA supporters praised the pickup as both necessary and strategic.
“Jalen West is exactly what we needed,” one fan posted on X. “Big body, proven playmaker. Beck’s got another weapon now.”
College football analysts also noted that West’s production and experience could give Georgia one of the most dangerous receiver corps in the SEC.
“You pair West with Lovett and Thomas, and you’ve got a problem for opposing defenses,” said 247Sports’ Josh Pate. “This is what Georgia has been missing—big-play production from a proven guy who’s done it against top defenses.”
A New Challenge for Jalen West
While West was a top option at Michigan State, his move to Georgia marks a step up in both competition and expectation. The Bulldogs are not only a perennial SEC contender but also firmly in the College Football Playoff picture every year.
For West, the opportunity to compete for a national title—and be coached by one of the best staffs in the country—was a major factor in his decision.
“Coach Smart’s track record speaks for itself,” West said. “They develop guys, they win big, and they prepare you for the league. I’m ready to work.”
West will join the team for summer workouts and is expected to be fully integrated into the offense by the time fall camp begins. He’ll have two years of eligibility remaining.
Georgia’s Transfer Portal Moves So Far
West is Georgia’s second confirmed transfer portal addition of the 2025 offseason, following the earlier commitment of North Texas cornerback Davon Mitchell, a rising junior who adds length and ball skills to the Bulldogs’ secondary.
Mitchell and West represent a clear trend in Georgia’s portal strategy—target experienced players who can contribute right away, without disrupting the development pipeline built through elite high school recruiting.
Unlike some programs that overhaul large portions of their roster through the portal, Georgia has been selective. But when Smart identifies a need, he moves decisively.
“Coach Smart and our staff do an incredible job of evaluating talent—not just on the field but off it,” said Director of Player Personnel Marshall Malchow. “We want winners. Jalen West is a winner.”
What’s Next?
Georgia may not be done yet. The Bulldogs are still exploring options at interior offensive line and defensive tackle. With several scholarship spots remaining and the portal window open, don’t be surprised if another addition comes soon.
Still, with the addition of Jalen West, Georgia has addressed a critical need and added a player capable of making an immediate impact.
As quarterback Carson Beck prepares for what many expect to be a Heisman-contending season, having another reliable target like West only increases Georgia’s chances of returning to the national championship conversation.
The Bulldogs will open their 2025 season in Atlanta against Clemson, a marquee matchup that will provide an early glimpse of just how dangerous this revamped roster can be.
