Transfer portal, NFL Draft, incoming recruits: How the Bulldogs have changed for 2022-23

The Georgia Bulldogs are coming off their first national title in more than 40 years, but in the days since the championship celebration, many players have already announced their intentions for next season.

The team will have a different look next season with more than 20 players either graduating, pursuing the NFL or transferring to another college program. Perhaps the most surprising loss is wide receiver Jermaine Burton, who is heading to SEC rival and title game foe Alabama.

Seven players who are draft eligible announced they will return to Georgia, including starting quarterback Stetson Bennett. The Bulldogs also brought on one of the Top 5 recruiting classes in the country.

With Bennett’s return, the signing of Gunner Stockton and the exit of JT Daniels, the Georgia quarterback room will be one to watch throughout the offseason. Bennett is likely the odds on favorite to start next season but highly touted recruits like Brock Vandagriff and Stockton are waiting for their opportunity to quarterback the Bulldogs.

In addition to players, Georgia lost its defensive coordinator Dan Lanning, who heads to Oregon to take over as the new head coach for the Ducks. Wide receiver coach Cortez Hankton is also leaving coach LSU wide receivers.

Here is a look at the players leaving, staying and coming to Athens next season:

Players staying

• QB Stetson Bennett (senior)

• WR Kearis Jackson (junior)

• DE Nolan smith (junior)
• DE Robert Beal (senior)
• DB Tykee Smith (senior)
• DB Chris Smith (senior)
• DB William Poole (senior)

Players entering the NFL Draft

• RB James Cook (senior)

• RB Zamir White (junior)

• WR George Pickens (junior)

• TE John FitzPatrick (junior)

• OL Jamaree Salyer (senior)
  
  

• OL Justin Shaffer (senior)

• DT Jordan Davis (senior)

• DT Devonte Wyatt (senior)

• DE Travon Walker (junior)
• LB Nakobe Dean (junior)
  
  
• LB Channing Tindall (senior)
• LB Quay Walker (senior)

• DB Lewis Cine (junior)

• DB Derion Kendrick (senior)

• P Jake Camarda (senior)

Players transferring

• QB JT Daniels — undeclared (junior)
• WR Jermaine Burton to Alabama (sophomore)
• WR Jaylen Johnson to East Carolina (junior)
• WR Justin Robinson to Mississippi State (freshman)

• TE Chase Harof — undeclared (senior)

• OL Blake Watson — undeclared (junior

• DE Tyler Malakius — undeclared (junior)

• DB Jalen Kimber to Florida (redshirt freshman)
• DB Ameer Speed to Michigan State (senior)
• DB Latavious Brini to Arkansas (senior)
• ATH Lovasea Carroll — undeclared (freshman)

Georgia’s 2022 recruiting class:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• ATH Malaki Starks

⭐⭐⭐⭐

• QB Gunner Stockton

• RB Jordan James (committed not signed)

• RB Branson Robinson

• WR Chandler Smith

• WR De’Nylon Morrissette

• TE Oscar Delp

• DT Shone Washington

• DT Mykel Williams

• DT Bear Alexander

• DE Darris Smith (committed not signed)

• LB Jalon Walker

• LB C.J. Washington

• CB Jaheim Singletary
  
  
• CB Daylen Everette
  
  
• CB Julian Humphrey

• ATH JaCorey Thomas

⭐⭐⭐

• OL Aliou Bah
  
  
• OL Jacob Hood
• OL Drew Bobo

• OL Griffin Scroggs

• WR Cole Speer

• DE Carlton Madden
• ATH Dillion Bell (committed not signed)

This story was originally published January 30, 2022 at 7:00 AM.