Updated Friday, September 4, 2026, ahead of the Tennessee State opener. Georgia releases its official depth chart shortly before kickoff, so this is the projected chart based on preseason camp reporting. It is updated once the official version is out and after every game.
No. 3 Georgia brings back quarterback Gunner Stockton, a two headed backfield, four of five offensive linemen and stars at every level of the defense. The two questions are the ones Kirby Smart has talked about all August: whether the receivers are good enough, and whether a defense that had just 20 sacks last year can get to the quarterback.
Offense
| Position | Starter | Backup | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Gunner Stockton, Sr. | Ryan Puglisi, R-So. | Ryan Montgomery, R-Fr. |
| RB | Nate Frazier, Jr. OR Chauncey Bowens, R-So. | Dwight Phillips Jr., Jr. | Bo Walker, So. |
| WR (X) | Isiah Canion, Jr. | CJ Wiley, So. | Thomas Blackshear, R-Fr. |
| WR (Z) | London Humphreys, Sr. | Talyn Taylor, R-Fr. | Landon Roldan, So. |
| WR (Slot) | Sacovie White-Helton, R-So. | Landon Roldan, So. | Kaiden Prothro, Fr. |
| TE | Lawson Luckie, Sr. | Jaden Reddell, R-So. | Elyiss Williams, So.; Ethan Barbour, R-Fr. |
| LT | Earnest Greene, Sr. | Ekene Ogboko, Fr. | Dennis Uzochukwu, R-Fr. |
| LG | Dontrell Glover, So. | Cortez Smith, R-Fr. | Daniel Calhoun, R-So. |
| C | Drew Bobo, Jr. (foot, finger) | Cortez Smith, R-Fr. | Malachi Tolliver, R-So. |
| RG | Zykie Helton, Fr. | Marcus Harrison, R-So. | Michael Uini, R-So. |
| RT | Juan Gaston, So. | Jah Jackson, Jr. | Michael Uini, R-So. |
Defense
| Position | Starter | Backup | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| DT | Elijah Griffin, So. | Josh Horton, Jr. | Nasir Johnson, R-So.; Carter Luckie, Fr. |
| NT | Jordan Hall, Jr. | Nnamdi Ogboko, R-Fr. | Valdin Sone, Fr. |
| DE | Gabe Harris, Sr. | Joseph Jonah-Ajonye, R-So.; JJ Hanne, So. | Justin Greene, R-So.; Isaiah Gibson, R-Fr. |
| OLB (Jack) | Quintavius Johnson, Jr. | Chase Linton, R-Fr.; PJ Dean, Fr. | Darren Ikinnagbon, So. |
| ILB (Mac) | Justin Williams, Jr. | AJ Kruah, R-Fr. | Nick Abrams, Fr. |
| ILB (Money) | Raylen Wilson, Sr. OR Chris Cole, Jr. | Zayden Walker, So. | Elijah Littlejohn, Fr. |
| CB | Ellis Robinson, R-So. | Braylon Conley, R-So. | Justice Fitzpatrick, Fr. (knee) |
| CB | Demello Jones, Jr. | Gentry Williams, Sr. | Jontae Gilbert, R-Fr. |
| Star | Khalil Barnes, Sr. | Rasean Dinkins, So. | Zech Fort, Fr. |
| FS | KJ Bolden, So. | Zion Branch, Sr. | Tyriq Green, Fr. |
| SS | Kyron Jones, Jr. | Rasean Dinkins, So. | Ja’Marley Riddle, Jr. |
Special Teams
| K | Peyton Woodring, Sr.; Harran Zureikat, Fr. |
| P | Drew Miller, R-So.; Wade Register, Fr. |
| LS | Will Snellings, Jr. |
| PR | Sacovie White-Helton; Craig Dandridge |
| KR | Talyn Taylor and White-Helton; Chauncey Bowens, Dwight Phillips Jr. |
Position Breakdown
Quarterback. Stockton is one of the stars of the team. The backup job is unsettled: Ryan Puglisi struggled in both scrimmages and redshirt freshman Ryan Montgomery closed the gap, though Puglisi is still expected to be the first call. The drop from starter to backup is steep.
Running back. Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens split the load after Georgia limited both in camp to keep them healthy. Dante Dowdell’s injury thinned the room; Dwight Phillips Jr. and Bo Walker are the depth.
Receiver. The biggest concern on the roster, and camp did not settle it. London Humphreys was the only standout. Isiah Canion and Sacovie White-Helton are locked into the rotation; after that it is a competition between Landon Roldan, who had a strong second scrimmage, and Talyn Taylor, who came on late.
Tight end. Lawson Luckie added weight and wants to play every snap. Jaden Reddell, Elyiss Williams and Ethan Barbour all bring something different, and Mike Bobo will use multiple tight end sets to cover for the receivers.
Offensive line. Four of five return. Freshman Zykie Helton has generated the most preseason buzz of any Georgia newcomer since Brock Bowers and starts at right guard. Drew Bobo is dealing with foot and finger issues, so do not be surprised if Cortez Smith takes the first snap at center against Tennessee State. Five star freshman Ekene Ogboko is the top reserve tackle.
Defensive line. Elijah Griffin is a budding All American inside. Xzavier McLeod retired just before the season after starting six games in 2025, so Josh Horton, Nnamdi Ogboko and Swedish freshman Valdin Sone, whom Smart singled out, fill the rotation. Gabe Harris is the starting end.
Linebacker. Loaded inside with four former five stars: Justin Williams, Raylen Wilson, Chris Cole and Zayden Walker. Cole will play all over the defense. Outside, Quintavius Johnson starts with redshirt freshman Chase Linton and true freshman PJ Dean behind him; this is where the pass rush has to come from after Amaris Williams’ departure.
Secondary. Ellis Robinson and Demello Jones were the two best players in camp and form an elite corner tandem. KJ Bolden is a preseason All American at safety, and Kyron Jones won the other spot in one of the surprises of August. Transfer Khalil Barnes will move all over the secondary from the Star position. Freshman corner Justice Fitzpatrick is still rehabbing a knee and is not expected to play much.
The Bottom Line
Georgia is settled at quarterback, running back, offensive line, inside linebacker and the secondary. Wide receiver and edge rusher are the two spots that decide whether this is a playoff team or a champion. The opener is previewed at Tennessee State vs. Georgia, and the full slate is on our Georgia schedule. This page is updated when the official chart is released and after every game.