ATHENS — Kirby Smart is winning.

The Georgia head coach, preparing for his 10th year leading the program, told everyone who would listen his roster management strategy.

Retain the elite players, plug holes on the roster with quality prospects who fit the culture and are less than more likely to transfer.

It’s a roster management war, these days, and the College Football Playoff is evidence just how pivotal the transfer portal has become.

Notre Dame is the prime example after its 27-24 win over Penn State, led by Duke transfer quarterback Riley Leonard and sealed by South Carolina transfer kicker Mitch Jeter.

Georgia fans know about Notre Dame’s other Duke transfer, edge rusher RJ Oben, who came up with the pivotal strip sack fumble that led to the Irish’s first touchdown, scored by Clemson transfer Beaux Collins.

The Bulldogs followers also know about Notre Dame kick returner and Marshall transfer Jayden Harrison, whose 98-yard TD to open the second half put UGA down 20-3.

Georgia might have managed to come back if they had their two high-profile receiver transfers, alas, Rara Thomas and Colbie Young hit “bust” status with their suspensions.

Still, the Bulldogs managed to persevere with dreadful inconsistency in their receiving corps, winning at SEC Championship in spite of dropped passes, missed blocks and missed assignments.

So on to building the 2025 roster … and a way-too-early stock report on whether each position looks to be ascending, descending or staying even as things sit.

Keep in mind the fluidity of football, and how quickly things can and do change.

Georgia football came out ahead in the initial transfer portal phase, scoring key retention wins while addressing those areas of need.

There are six roster additions at the time of this writing, and 14 players in the portal, but such attrition is needed to keep the conveyer belt full of incoming talent at the UGA football factory.

Quarterback

The quarterback room appears firm with Gunner Stockton and Ryan Puglisi returning, and incoming freshman Ryan Montgomery a promising prospect.

But Georgia has typically carried four scholarship quarterbacks, and Smart has left open the possibility of adding another competitor via the portal should the right candidate present himself.

Carson Beck, who recently pulled out of the draft and entered the portal, has announced he will transfer to play at Miami.

QB Room Stock down — for the moment.

Receiver

Receiver was the most obvious position of need with Arian Smith and Dominic Lovett moving on, and Colbie Young’s potential future with the program uncertain and Anthony Evans in the portal.

The Bulldogs quenched their thirst for pass catchers by adding Zachariah Branch from USC, Noah Thomas from Texas A&M and Vanderbilt’s Micah Bell.

This, along with the anticipated returns of, among others, Dillon Bell, London Humphreys, Cole Speer, Nitro Tuggle and Sacovie White.

Georgia also signed potential impact freshman receivers with Talyn Taylor and CJ Wiley looking like immediate contributors.

Running back

WR Room Stock up

The running backs room looks to step up with the anticipated return of a healthy Trevor Etienne and a seasoned rising sophomore in Nate Frazier.

Branson Robinson, who has battled through injuries, has given no indication of leaving the program, though one-time projected starter Rod Robinson was not present at the Sugar Bowl and has yet to declare his status.

Georgia is bringing in another potential impact player in tailback Bo Walker, a compact but shifty and powerful prospect who runs behind his pads.

RB Room Stock up

Tight end

The tight ends room should be back on the upswing with Oscar Delp’s anticipated return, along with rising star Lawson Luckie and talented rising sophomore Jaden Reddell. UGA also added notable prospects Elyiss Williams and Ethan Barbour to the room, a sure-sign UGA remains married to “12″ (two tight-end) personnel packages.

Offensive line

The Bulldogs will count on their deep, talented offensive line to replenish the loss of talented interior linemen Jared Wilson, Tate Ratledge and Dylan Fairchild to the NFL, along with veteran tackle Xavier Truss.

Drew Bobo proved capable in his snaps at center this season, while Micah Morris has been chomping at the bit for more deserved repetitions.

Earnest Greene lll should be healthy enough for elite play at tackle, while Monroe Freeling has gotten enough valuable reps under his belt to hold the other tackle position.

More health should lead to more coordination, but UGA is losing three of the most talented interior linemen in the nation, the subpar play at tackle last season, aside.

OL Room Stock down

The defense has a bit more of an overhaul, with three former starters — Mykel Williams, Malaki Starks and Jalon Walker — projected to be selected in the first-round of the upcoming NFL draft.

Defensive back

But Smart’s ability to evaluate defensive backs is proven, and having college film on incoming safeties Jaden Harris (Miami), Zion Branch (USC) and Adrian Maddox (UAB) is a good indicator the UGA secondary is a good shape moving forward.

This, even with Starks and veteran Dan Jackson departing for the NFL, and former starting cornerback Julian Humphrey transferred to Texas A&M.

Georgia returns rising star K.J. Bolden at safety along with nickel Joenel Aguero, while high-ceiling cornerbacks Daniel Harris and Ellis Robinson IV. UGA got a big boost when SEC Championship Game MVP Daylen Everette announced he would be returning for his senior season.

DB Room Stock up with Everette’s decision to return

Linebacker

Georgia’s linebacker room is always oozing with talent, and that will be the case again next season even with veterans Walker, Smael Mondon and Chaz Chambliss headed to the NFL, and Damon Wilson’s surprising decision to enter the portal.

Wilson’s decision is likely NIL-related, as he was as close to a can’t-miss Georgia star in 2025 as anyone on the defense.

Chris Cole appears poised to assume some of Walker’s appreciable duties, while third-year veterans CJ Allen and Raylen Wilson are ascending in the middle.

Georgia has rising talent in Gabe Harris and Quintavius Johnson, who could be ready to assert their noteworthy power and athleticism.

LB Room Stock even

Defensive line

The defensive end position is one to take note of.

Projected Top 15 pick Williams is headed to the NFL as anticipated, while Tyrone Ingram-Dawkins surprised some by passing on playing a marquee role at UGA in what would have been his redshirt senior season to enter the NFL draft.

Joseph Jonah-Ajonye is in position to take advantage as the projected next man up. The need for depth could lead Georgia back to the portal if the right sort of prospect came available.

Christen Miller’s decision to fulfill his potential at Georgia was big for the Bulldogs’ defensive line, which saw Jordan Hall overcome injuries to get snaps by the end of the season and South Carolina transfer Xzavier McLeod begin to emerge as a playmaker.

UGA loses defensive tackles Nazir Stackhouse and Warren Brinson, both of whom will be fighting to increase NFL draft stock over the next three months after solid contributions.

DL Room Stock even

Special Teams

The kicking game will remain elite with Peyton Woodring returning as arguably the best field goal kicker in college football, and booming punter Brett Thorson expected to make a full recovery from his knee injury by the start of next season.

ST Room Stock even