Depth Chart Thursday: Retooling the Dawgs for a 2026 Title Run
Replacing eight NFL Draft picks, Georgia's projected starters and position battles take center stage.
As the Georgia Bulldogs navigate Spring Ball & Recruiting 2026, head coach Kirby Smart faces a familiar challenge: retooling a championship-caliber roster. Following a bitter 39-34 loss to Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal on January 1, the urgency in Athens is palpable. For this week's Depth Chart Thursday, we examine the position battles and projected starters defining the Dawgs' offseason.
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, fresh off a salary bump to $2.2 million, has his general locked in. Senior quarterback Gunner Stockton has taken full command of the offense. With Stockton firmly entrenched as QB1, the intrigue shifts to the backup role, where Ryan Puglisi and Ryan Montgomery are locked in a fierce competition following the April 18 G-Day spring game, which saw the Red team defeat the Black team 27-17.
On the offensive line, the Dawgs must replace first-round NFL Draft pick Monroe Freeling. However, the return of standout Earnest Greene provides a critical anchor as Bobo reshuffles his protective front alongside returning running back Nate Frazier.
Defensively, coordinator Glenn Schumann—who matched Bobo's pay raise to $2.2 million—must replace several key contributors, including draft departures like CJ Allen, Christen Miller, and Daylen Everette. Fortunately, the secondary boasts both proven returners and immediate impact transfers. Clemson transfer defensive back Khalil Barnes was a major standout during spring practice and is already projected to start at the STAR position. He joins key returning starters like KJ Bolden and Ellis Robinson IV to form a formidable defensive backfield.
With returning defensive anchors like Elijah Griffin, Gabe Harris, and Quintavius Johnson complementing an influx of transfer talent, Georgia's depth chart is rapidly taking shape. As the Dawgs aim for another national title, finding the right mix of seasoned veterans and hungry newcomers will be the defining storyline of the year.
Published 5 months ago
Staff
Staff writer for SEC Saturday Wire covering college sports.
Process Notes & Methodology
I chose to focus on Georgia's roster turnover and depth chart formation, aligning perfectly with the Depth Chart Thursday theme. It details how the team is replacing 8 draft picks while integrating high-profile transfers and solidifying backups.
The intro hooks readers by mentioning the January 1 CFP Sugar Bowl loss to Ole Miss. This establishes the motivation for the current Spring Ball & Recruiting 2026 retooling under Kirby Smart.
The body is built around Gunner Stockton's undisputed QB1 status, the backup battle between Puglisi and Montgomery, and Khalil Barnes' projection as the starting STAR. It also integrates the massive $2.2M raises for coordinators Mike Bobo and Glenn Schumann, as well as the 27-17 G-Day game result.
The conclusion pivots to the overarching goal of winning another national title. It sets up the continued evolution of the depth chart by emphasizing the blend of returners like Elijah Griffin and incoming transfers.
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