When Kirby Smart walks into a living room, five-star recruits usually start packing. The man’s résumé glitters, his program’s stacked, and he’s got the rings to back it up. But in the 2025 offseason? Let’s just say Georgia’s performance in the transfer portal didn’t exactly scream “dominance.” In fact, some insiders are whispering that Kirby might’ve whiffed quietly, while rivals cashed in big.
Yes, Georgia made some moves—there were a few solid pickups, a couple intriguing additions. But while UGA played it conservative, schools like Texas, Florida State, and even Ole Miss went full-on Monopoly mode, scooping up impact players like it was Black Friday in the SEC. Linebackers, cornerbacks, elite wideouts—gone in a flash. And Georgia? Left eyeing the leftovers.
It’s not like Kirby didn’t try. Sources say the Dawgs were in on multiple big names—one elite edge rusher from the Big Ten, a star receiver with NFL bloodlines, and a versatile DB who could start Day One. All of them ended up elsewhere. Whether it was NIL money, depth chart concerns, or just a little too much Athens humidity—Georgia came in second. And in the portal? Second means nothing.
Meanwhile, fans are starting to feel a little antsy. Sure, Georgia still recruits high school talent like it’s stealing candy from Bama’s bag, but in today’s game, portal misses are big-time setbacks. You need plug-and-play stars, not just developmental projects, especially when you’ve got holes to fill left by NFL-bound studs and portal exits of your own.
The most troubling part? Kirby hasn’t said much. No fire-up-the-fanbase tweets, no “we’re not done yet” vibes—just the usual tight-lipped, keep-it-in-house approach. Which would be fine… if other SEC coaches weren’t out here flashing portal wins like championship rings.
There’s still time, sure. Someone always drops into the portal late, and if anyone can lure them into the red and black, it’s Kirby. But unless he’s got a couple of aces up his sleeve, Georgia’s transfer haul looks more like roster patchwork than roster overhaul.
So did Kirby Smart miss? Not totally—but in this arms race, even half-misses feel like full disasters. And while Georgia still boasts a top-tier roster, the margin between elite and exposed is razor thin. One more big swing-and-a-miss, and folks in Athens might start wondering: Is the transfer portal passing Georgia by?
