The Georgia Bulldogs signed 28 players in the 2025 class, a group ranked No. 2 in the country according to 247Sports. They also added six players (including two walk-ons) via the transfer portal during the winter window and four more during the spring window, a group of 10 ranked No. 25 on 247Sports. ESPN attempted to rank the top 25 groups of newcomers, combining transfers and prospects, based on the potential impact for the 2025 college football season. Georgia was ranked No. 14, with Oregon at No. 1, LSU at No. 2, Auburn at No. 3, Texas at No. 4, and Texas Tech at No. 5. For comparison, 247Sports ranked Georgia’s incoming group No. 3 in its rankings that combine transfers and recruits.
ESPN listed defensive lineman Elijah Griffin, cornerback Dominick Kelly, and wide receiver C.J. Wiley as top impact signees. Of the recruits, ESPN said:
Seven Georgia defensive linemen have become first-round draft picks since 2022. Adding Griffin could help keep that pipeline flowing. The nation’s top-ranked defensive tackle impressed during Under Armour All-America week in January, then followed it up with a strong spring in Athens. His dynamic combination of size, explosion and agility draws early comparisons to Jalen Carter. Kelly highlights the depth of Georgia’s class. He also had a good spring and should immediately bolster the Bulldogs’ secondary.
Junior linebacker CJ Allen discussed Griffin following G-Day after the former five-star impressed during the spring scrimmage.
“I think he’s gonna be very exciting,” Allen said. “I think he works, he’s obviously a big guy, a big freshman. But he’s willing to come in and work, and wanna learn.”
Wide receivers Zachariah Branch and Noah Thomas, running back Josh McCray, and edge defender Elo Modozie were listed as the top transfers.
After signing nine consecutive top-three recruiting classes, Georgia doesn’t need to live in the portal. However, the Bulldogs used it to supplement their roster, especially at wide receiver. Branch, a five-star coming from USC, has blazing speed and could be one of the most electrifying players in college football. He’ll factor into the return game but could elevate his presence by becoming a weapon in the passing game. Thomas led Texas A&M in receiving in 2024. At running back, McCray is a big, physical back at 6-foot-1, 235 pounds to complement Nate Frazier.
Kirby Smart discussed Branch and Thomas after G-Day.
“They’re learning the offense,” Smart said. “I mean, kind of what I mentioned with those six or seven there, they’re in that number of guys that have to continue to grow and understand. Zach missed two or three practices that probably hurt him in terms of getting reps and understanding the offense. You can’t just say, ‘I’m going to learn it and go out there and do it. You have to rep it. You gotta go out there and physically do it, and he missed, I think, two of the last three practices or three of the last four practices and then was able to go today.
“But Sacovie made some plays today — made some really nice plays. And he catches the ball well, he’s athletic. Dillon went out and played and did some extra things. The group we have — the core group we have — is really tough and physical, and we want to continue to grow everybody to be that way.”
