Projecting the Biggest Concern for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2026
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Georgia has won back-to-back SEC titles, but the national title drought in Athens has reached three seasons. That short drought is no cause for alarm, especially since coach Kirby Smart’s team should be in the mix to win it all in 2026. However, for the Bulldogs to bring the program’s third national title since ‘21 back to the Peach State, Smart and his staff have a couple of key areas to address in spring practice.
Georgia returns the most starters (14) of any team in the SEC. Offensively, quarterback Gunner Stockton needs to take the next step behind a revamped group set of receivers. The line will also require some retooling with standout left tackle Monroe Freeling off to the NFL. Smart’s defense also needs to fill a few voids at every level. However, this group is poised to rank among the best in college football.
Athlon Sports’ Steven Lassan and Kyle Wood debate and project what the biggest concern for Georgia should be in ’26:
Way-Too-Early 2026 Rankings: Top 25 | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | SEC
Projecting the Biggest Concern for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2026
Biggest Concern: The Upside of the Passing Attack
There’s no doubt quarterback Gunner Stockton was solid in his first year as Georgia’s No. 1 quarterback and enters ‘26 as one of the top signal-callers in college football. In 14 starters last season, Stockton threw for 2,894 yards and 24 touchdowns and ran for 462 yards and 10 scores. But two numbers raise concern when evaluating the Bulldogs for preseason No. 1 this year. Stockton’s yards per attempt (7.5) tied for ninth among qualified SEC signal-callers last season. Also, he connected on just four throws of 40-plus yards.
Georgia’s receiving corps also opens spring ball with concerns. Stockton’s No. 1 target Zachariah Branch (81 receptions for 811 yards last season) departed, along with Colbie Young (26 catches), Dillon Bell (27), and tight end Oscar Delp (20). Not only was Branch the team’s best receiver, but he thrived at taking short throws into long gains. Can London Humphreys, Georgia Tech transfer Isiah Canion, and a handful of young receivers step into the voids on offense and help Stockton elevate this passing game? If they can, the Bulldogs are likely hoisting the national title in January.
Kyle Wood: Pass-Catchers
I agree with Steven. The passing game is the biggest area of concern for the Bulldogs, if you can even call it that. Stockton impressed in Year 1 as a starter, and his dual-threat abilities give the offense a high floor. Still, six of his seven top targets are gone. And though his touchdown-to-interception ratio (24-to-five) was exceptional, he finished middle of the pack in the SEC in passing yards and yards per attempt. Can Georgia develop more of a downfield attack in 2026?
Branch was a big get last offseason for the Bulldogs, but he was used almost exclusively on short routes with an average depth of target of 3.6 yards. Only 10 players caught 80-plus passes in 2025, and Branch was one of two that finished with fewer than 1,000 yards. Perhaps Canion (ADOT: 13.7) and Humphreys (ADOT: 16.1) can form the foundation of a passing offense that makes plays downfield more consistently. But Stockton will still need more weapons to step up. He clearly trusts his running back room, which combined for 48 catches last season, and Lawson Luckie figures to fill the void left by Delp. But an underclassman might have to emerge to round out the room in Athens, whether that’s Sacovie-White Helton, CJ Wiley or someone else.
Related: SEC Football: Spring 2026 Power Rankings
Related: SEC Football: Way-Too-Early 2026 QB Rankings
Related: College Football’s Pre-Spring Rankings: Top 10 Running Backs for 2026
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 31, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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