17 Georgia Bulldogs are declaring for the draft, and 14 Georgia Bulldogs have entered the transfer portal. The roster turnover is concerning for some Georgia fans, but with it comes the chance for several Georgia reserves to play significant snaps and show their prowess.
Here are four Georgia players on defense that should earn significantly more snaps in 2025.
Gabe Harris
Harris was a four-star recruit from 2023, and while he didn’t earn many snaps in 2023, he evolved into a rotational pass-rusher in 2024. He played double digit snaps almost every game, including starting for the Bulldogs against Tennessee Tech.
He could get an uptick in snaps as either an edge rusher or a linebacker, replacing Chaz Chambliss in his jack spot. Samuel M’Pemba transferring doesn’t hurt either.
Chris Cole
Cole was the 23rd best prospect in the country when he committed to the Bulldogs in 2024. As a freshman, he earned little snaps in his first four games, but against Texas, Florida, and Ole Miss, he earned over 20 snaps each.
He has significant upside as a linebacker in coverage, as shown with his 87.6 coverage grade against Texas, one of the best passing offenses in the country. With Smael Mondon and Jalon Walker entering the NFL draft and Damon Wilson and Troy Bowles transferring, Cole is the most likely to earn more snaps next year.
Ellis Robinson IV
As the No. 2 ranked prospect in the nation, Robinson IV was the crown jewel of the 2024 recruiting class for Georgia. Although he played only four games, Robinson IV totaled 12 snaps in each game, earning a 67.4 grade on PFF in his true freshman season.
Georgia theoretically has the secondary set. The Bulldogs have Daylen Everette and Daniel Harris manning the perimeter and Joenel Aguero at star, but Robinson could still see an uptick in snaps, especially if he can beat Harris, who is the most unproven out of the bunch.
Xzavier McLeod
McLeod, like Robinson IV and Chris Cole, will be considered a sophomore (he redshirted) in 2025. However, McLeod transferred from South Carolina to Georgia in 2024.
With Georgia, he was a rotational defensive lineman, totaling 158 snaps in 11 games, but with defensive tackles Nazir Stackhouse and Warren Brinson leaving for the draft, McLeod and the returning Christen Miller could settle into one of the defensive tackle roles.
