Behind the Hedges: UGA Transfer Portal Update

UGA Transfer Portal and Roster Change Updates

Before the National Championship, only two Georgia players had entered into the transfer portal: Bill Norton and Arik Gilbert. Today, the Dawgs had a lot of pieces moving around on their roster between players declaring for the draft, players committing to the Dawgs, and players hitting the portal. 

Players Declaring for the Draft

So far junior LT Broderick Jones, CB Kelee Ringo, TE Darnell Washington, and DL Jalen Carter have declared they will forego their senior season and head to the NFL. None of these players are a surprise as all of them have a chance to be a first round pick. Carter will be the highest rated player with Broderick Jones likely next. Washington and Ringo are a bit more uncertain, with both having first round talent but not necessarily guaranteeing them that spot when draft day comes. RT Warren McClendon announced he was going pro, in addition to WR Kearis Jackson and reserve offensive lineman Warren Ericson.Today we’ll hear if Sedrick Van Pran-Grainger will go pro or return. His return would be a huge win for the Dawgs. 

Transfer Portal Departures

Georgia had a handful of players hit the portal as well. Two tight ends in Brett Seither and Ryland Goede hit the portal. Nether are as surprise as freshman TE Oscar Delp was taking their snaps and Brock Bowers must return for his junior year. Seither and Goede were not going to see a lot of the field next year as it is, and UGA is bringing in possibly 3 of the top 10 tight ends in the nation in the ‘23 freshman class. Two of them are already on campus and impressing. Seither had decided to transfer to Georgia Tech

The most disappointing transfer comes in former 5-star cornerback Jaheim Singletary. Singletary was a highly sought after recruit who has not panned out at UGA. He is in a loaded DB room, sitting behind several players like Kamari Lassiter, Nyland Green, and Daylen Everette. His body did not adapt much this year to the strength and conditioning regimen he was placed under. Physically, he’s not ready to play for a Kirby Smart defense. He is likely headed back home to a school in Florida. 

LB Trezman Marshall hit the portal, as I expected. Marshall played a decent number of snaps in the National Championship game. He was the first linebacker to rotate in, but he also is in a immensely talented and very full linebacker room. As a senior, he would still not be starting for the Dawgs, so he decided to depart. UGA will miss his experience, but it won’t be a terrible loss. 

OLB MJ Sherman also hit the portal despite taking to social media after the natty to assure fans he was returning. I was shocked he was coming back, as he sits behind 3-4 others in his role at OLB. Chaz Chambliss, Jalon Walker, and Marvin Jones Jr were getting playing time ahead of him. Walker and Jones were true freshman this year, so Sherman wasn’t going to play. It appears that UGA was honest with him about his future playing time so he decided to leave. Sherman dealt with several injuries at UGA and some may consider him a bust. He was a former 5-star, and UGA took him instead of Will Anderson for that role. Definitely a miss on the Dawgs’ part. Sherman is headed to Nebraska. 

OL Jacob Hood also hit the portal today. This comes as no surprise, and I expect more offensive linemen to transfer out. To my knowledge, Hood has not played for UGA. He had ankle surgery in the spring of ‘22 and never saw the field after that. 

WR Dominick Blaylock also has entered into the transfer portal. Blaylock entered UGA alongside George Pickens. After a promising freshman campaign, Blaylock suffered two ACL tears, which derailed his UGA career. He was able to contribute with some key third-down catches this season from the slot, as he has been sure-handed his entire career. He caught a pass on third-and-long against Ohio State, keeping alive a drive that led to a crucial touchdown. Blaylock will certainly be missed, although his snaps likely were not going to increase. 

Additions

UGA did get a former 5-star to commit to them in DB Smoke Bouie. Bouie transfers from Texas A&M back to his home state of Georgia. Bouie will have a chance to nab the open CB spot left by Kelee Ringo’s early departure. Physically, he has the traits to play with the best of them. Time will tell if he can adapt to UGA’s system in time for the fall. 

UGA also got a DB commit for the ‘24 class in 4-star Jaylen Hayward. From Rockledge, FL, Heyward has a great relationship with Will Muschamp and Kirby Smart. He could play any of the DB roles for UGA in the future. 

Lastly, UGA got highly rated safety for the ‘24 class in Peyton Woodyard earlier in the week. From St. John Bosco, Woodyard is considered the top safety in the nation by Rivals. Woodyard could be another player from California that ends up playing for the Dawgs. 

To be determined…

The larger concern than the portal is that Alabama is courting Co-DC and linebackers coach Glenn Schumann. Could the Tide pull Schumann from UGA by giving him a Defensive Coordinator title? Not sure. Here’s what I can tell you about Schumann: his linebackers play in the NFL. Period. He is a dynamic recruiter, players love him, and he’s excellent at his job. Whether he leaves for Bama or stays at UGA, Schumann stands to get paid this offseason.