Why former Georgia OL Kelton Smith is unable to return to UGA
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Former Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Kelton Smith, who was forced to medically retire in 2024, is making a comeback to college football. Since Smith medically retired, he is unable to return to Georgia.
As a result, Smith entered the NCAA transfer portal and has committed to the Georgia State Panthers. Smith will be reunited with former Georgia running backs coach Dell McGee. McGee’s tenure at Georgia State hasn’t exactly been a success. He’s just 4-20 through two seasons with the Panthers and is coming off a 1-11 season. McGee has pressure to perform in 2026.
Smith will provide a boost to Georgia State’s offensive line. The 6-foot-4, 330-pound offensive lineman redshirted with Georgia in 2023 and still has four years of eligibility remaining.
Smith is a former four-star recruit from Carver High School in Columbus, Georgia. He is unranked as a transfer, but was once rated as the No. 8 interior offensive lineman in the country and the No. 185 recruit nationally, in the class of 2023.
The transfer portal will close on Jan. 16. Smith joins tight end Pearce Spurlin as medically retired Georgia players that are expecting to return with new teams in 2026.
Kelton Smith transfers to Georgia State
Smith’s old Georgia teammates were excited to see him find a new college football home and return to the sport.
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This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Georgia OL entering transfer portal, after medical retirement
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