Ranking Georgia’s portal additions based on projected 2024 impact

Georgia was more active in the 2024 transfer portal than ever. The Bulldogs added eight players, mostly on the offensive side of the ball, and each of those players are expected to compete for important roles on each side of the ball. With that in mind, some will have larger impacts than others and below, DawgsHQ ranks each one based on how big of a difference we expect them to make in 2024.

RB Trevor Etienne: The former Florida standout is No. 1 on this list because we expect Georgia to employ him as its feature running back in 2024. Etienne isn’t the biggest guy out there at 5-foot-9 205 pounds, but he packs a punch. He’s an explosive runner with surprising power and he can be a massive asset in the passing game.

WR Colbie Young: Georgia has a lot of mouths to feed in the passing game so we aren’t ready to say that Young will compete for the No. 1 receiver spot. We do, however, believe he is going to be a massive red zone target. Young had 10 touchdowns in his two seasons at Miami and if the G-Day game is any indication, the Bulldogs are going to target him in that area. He had multiple targets and one touchdown catch. He’s also coming off a stellar first (and last) spring in Athens.

TE Ben Yurosek: The former Stanford tight end is one of two players on this list who was not around for spring drills yet we still think he’s going to be an important part of this offense. Yurosek was one of the nation’s best receiving tight ends in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The same would have been said in 2023 had he not gotten hurt. Yurosek can do some of the same things Brock Bowers did that made the Georgia offense so tough to defend. He can take handoffs and turn easy throws into big gains.

DL Xzavier McCleod: We thought Georgia might hit the portal hard for defensive linemen back in December but McCleod was the only addition. He worked at all three defensive line positions this spring and we’re told that he had a pretty strong showing. The South Carolina native is likely to settle on the interior of the defensive line where, with a good preseason camp, have a shot at a significant rotational role.

WR London Humphreys: Again, the Georgia passing game is deep with potential targets but Humphreys should have a role. He’ll have to compete with Dillon Bell and Arian Smith for snaps at the Z-receiver spot but his combination of size and speed should get him on the field plenty.

S Jake Pope: Georgia added the Buford High School product in December and he went through spring with the team. Pope is competing for the strong safety role but he has some ground to make up per our intel. We expect him to help out plenty on special teams and snaps at safety aren’t out of the question.

WR Michael Jackson: The transfer from USC got off to a slow start in his first and only spring at Georgia but things picked up as time went on. He did some promising things in the G-Day game and can help the Bulldogs both offensively and on special teams.

QB Jaden Rashada: The former four-star prospect is the only addition from the spring transfer portal. He is not in line to get meaningful snaps in 2024 but he will compete for a very important role as the backup quarterback. It’ll be an uphill climb as Gunner Stockton is entering his third season at Georgia but Rashada brings a lot of raw talent to the table.

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