It’s too early to know exactly who the Georgia Bulldogs are targeting when the NCAA transfer portal officially opens on Jan. 2. Georgia still has to play in the Sugar Bowl, and many Bulldogs have to make NFL Draft decisions. However, now is the time of year when all college football programs must start preparing to make decisions about their 2026 rosters.
Know that players can still remain at their respective schools and can only plan to enter the transfer portal at this time. Players can only officially enter the transfer portal if their school has recently changed its head coach. We anticipate a flurry of activity when the portal opens on January 2nd.
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There is only a winter transfer portal window this offseason, so this is the only chance for players to transfer. Without knowing exactly what the 2026 team will look like, Georgia and coach Kirby Smart will have to try to address potential weaknesses on next year’s roster.
Clemson safety Khalil Barnes
Clemson Tigers’ No. 7 Khalil Barnes reacts after being intercepted in the fourth quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks
This actually makes sense: Barnes is a local product (North Oconee High School) with a ton of experience and production in three seasons at Clemson. The ACC All-Conference Honorable Mention pick will likely want to end his career with a bang. Georgia will likely use a safety with multiple veterans expected to leave in the offseason.
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Why he won’t end up going to Georgia: Georgia is far from the only team interested in the former freshman All-American. Name, image and likeness (NIL) money or a more defined role (Georgia could return K.J. Bolden and Kyron Jones at safety) could convince Barnes to transfer elsewhere.
Florida State defensive lineman Mihai Boileau
Florida Gators’ Michai Boireau celebrates after the game against the Georgia Bulldogs
Past connections may come into play: Georgia was one of Boileau’s contenders during his recruitment. The burly defensive tackle had 20 tackles and two sacks for Florida State in 2025 (including one against UGA). Boileau has ties to Peach State as he played high school football at Creekside High School in Fairburn, Georgia.
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Why he won’t end up going to Georgia: As with any transfer, change may affect Boileau. The Bulldogs should return a quality unit on the defensive line so Boileau can look for a destination that can maximize playing time.
LSU offensive lineman Karius Cohen
LSU Tigers offensive lineman Carius Curne (57) waits for the kickoff during the first quarter against the Mississippi Rebels
On3’s Pete Nakos (subscription required) named Georgia as the team to watch for Carius Curne, a former elite four-star recruit. Cohen is the No. 1 offensive tackle in the portal (as of Dec. 19). Cohen started five games and played in seven as a true freshman at LSU. Knuckles also named Arkansas, Kentucky, Texas A&M and Mississippi State as “schools to watch early on” for offensive linemen. Georgia’s pursuit of Cohen could depend on the NFL draft plans of Georgia tight ends like Drew Bobo, Monroe Freeling and Ernest Green.
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USC defensive lineman Dewan Tompkins
Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) passes to Southern California Trojans defensive tackle Devan Thompkins (8)
Knuckles also listed Georgia as “one to watch” for USC defensive line transfer Dewan Tompkins, along with Alabama and Oregon State. Georgia has been looking to field elite defensive linemen, and Tompkins should fit the bill. The 6-foot-5, 290-pound linebacker has the size Georgia is looking for and a strong 2025 season (31 tackles and three sacks).
miami receiver ny cal
Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Ny Carr reacts after carrying the ball against the NC State Wolfpack
Are you saying there is still a chance? Georgia recruited Carr, a former four-star recruit out of high school. He played for Colquitt County High School, which has sent several players to the University of Georgia in recent years. Carr’s cousin, Jay Lamar, is a four-star running back recruit and Georgia signee. Two people might want to play together.
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Why he won’t end up going to Georgia: Nik Carr’s college career at Miami didn’t start well, with just 45 receiving yards this season. Georgia may be adding a transfer receiver, but there isn’t much early momentum for Carr to return to Georgia.
Arkansas guard Tavion Wallace
Are you saying there is still a chance? Wallace is a former four-star recruit who is of high interest to Georgia. The Arkansas linebacker is a Peach State product with plenty of athleticism. Wallace has special teams experience, having played in nine games as a freshman at Arkansas.
Why he won’t end up going to Georgia: Wallace ended up not having a very productive season. He had two tackles against Arkansas, which had a terrible defense. If you can’t play defense for Arkansas, a move to Georgia might be too big of a leap.
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Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola
Dylan Raiola No. 15 Nebraska Cornhuskers leads the team into the stadium before their game against the Houston Christian Huskies
Are you saying there is still a chance? Raiola is a former five-star recruit with tons of arm talent. He helped lead Nebraska to back-to-back bowl games for the first time in a decade, having previously played at Georgia.
Why he won’t end up going to Georgia: Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton may decide to return to the University of Georgia for his senior season. Raiola will not move behind another quarterback. It is indeed unlikely that UGA will pursue Raiola.
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This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Georgia Bulldogs make premature transfer portal target