The NCAA transfer portal has led to an unprecedented amount of player movement since its inception in 2018, and no program seems to be unaffected by it. Even the top colleges have been hit hard, and that includes the back-to-back national champion Georgia Bulldogs.
As of Friday, Georgia has seen 17 of its players enter the portal, including five five-star recruits and eight four-star recruits.
For Georgia great Aaron Murray, the alarm is very much sounding.
“Idk if I have seen this many 5 ⭐️ leave a program before,” Murray wrote in a post on X.
“What is the world is happening in Athens?
“These top recruits not liking all the competition?”
Idk if I have seen this many 5 ⭐️ leave a program before
What is the world is happening in Athens?
These top recruits not liking all the competition?
— Aaron Murray (@aaronmurray11) December 15, 2023
The turnover is certainly not limited to the Bulldogs, but it does beg the question: What is scaring off the talent?
Quarterback Brock Vandagriff is among the most-notable losses for Georgia. He committed to Kentucky. His decision to remain within the SEC is of note and plays into Murray’s line of thinking. Perhaps the deep talent pool and required competition ran Vandagriff and others off.
That shouldn’t cause concern for Murray or Georgia, however. In fact, it should be a feather in their cap. The Bulldogs have among the best recruiting classes on an annual basis and even with a slew of players entering the portal, that isn’t going to change.
Kirby Smart & Co. are 41-2 over the last three seasons. A few players leaving isn’t likely to alter their trajectory.
