Former Georgia offensive tackle, former four-star recruit is planning to transfer to the UNC Tar Heels
Former Georgia Bulldogs offensive tackle Chad Lindberg is transferring to the North Carolina Tar Heels and new head coach Bill Belichick. Lindberg has one year of eligibility remaining and announced his commitment to UNC via social media.
Last offseason, Lindberg transferred from Georgia to the Rice Owls last spring. At UNC, Lindberg is reunited with one of his former Georgia teammates in offensive lineman Austin Blaske, who started at center for UNC last season.
Belichick is known for having some of the best offensive lines in NFL history during his time with the New England Patriots, so UNC has major appeal for offensive line transfers and recruits.
In 2024, Lindberg started at left guard for Rice. He appeared in 11 games for the Owls, who finished the season 4-8. Lindberg’s hometown is League City, Texas.
Lindberg, a former four-star recruit, played in 12 games for Georgia throughout the 2023 college football season. He did not participate in 2024 spring practice for Georgia. The 6-foot-6, 325-pound senior offensive tackle played in 22 career game with UGA.
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Lindberg has the upside to be a starter at a Power Four school. The 2025 college football season will be his last year of eligibility.
Georgia football is a contender to land Miami Hurricanes transfer wide receiver Isaiah Horton
Wide receiver remains Georgia football’s primary focus in the transfer portal. The Georgia Bulldogs are preparing to host another standout pass catcher soon. Miami sophomore wide receiver Isaiah Horton has planned visits to Alabama and Texas A&M, with Georgia also expected to host him per On3’s social media account.
Horton, originally from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, enjoyed a breakout season in 2024, tallying 56 receptions for 616 yards and five touchdowns. He hit the 100-yard mark in one game and recorded 70 or more yards in four other games.
Horton was a highly regarded four-star prospect coming out of high school. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 205 pounds, he was ranked as the nation’s No. 337 overall player and No. 54 wide receiver in the On3 Industry Ranking, which averages ratings from all four major recruiting services. He also ranked as the No. 12 player in Tennessee.
Horton has two seasons of eligibility remaining. If he commits to Georgia, then it would be the second straight year a Miami receiver has transferred to UGA (Colbie Young last offseason) and the third time in the Kirby Smart era (Lawrence Cager).
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Georgia recently hosted another wide receiver, Kentucky’s Dane Key. Key, who was Kentucky’s leading receiver, visited earlier this week and is predicted to commit to the Bulldogs.
Nebraska RB, who ranked No. 3 in Big Ten rushing touchdowns among RBs, enters the transfer portal and Georgia is in the race
Nebraska Cornhusker running back Dante Dowdell has entered the transfer portal on Monday. Kentucky is set to get the first visit from the former top-200 recruit with two years of eligibility remaining. On3’s Steve Wiltfong reported on Wednesday night that Dowdell is considering Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, and Michigan via social media.
The Big Ten transfer started his career at Oregon before rushing for 614 yards and 12 touchdowns as a true sophomore with Nebraska in 2024. Dante Dowdell led the Cornhuskers in rushing attempts, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns as a sophomore. Only three Big Ten tailbacks rushed for more touchdowns than Dowdell last season.
The running back room is already one of the deeper positions within this Georgia roster. Running back Trevor Etienne has the chance to go into the NFL draft, which opens up a chance for Dowdell to bring a healthy competition to the Georgia running back room in 2025. UGA is expected to return freshman Nate Frazier.
Fox Sports college football expert Joel Klatt predicts that a Big Ten team will beat Georgia in the national championship
Fox Sports college football expert Joel Klatt has predicted who he thinks will win the national championship. Klatt made his national championship prediction on “The Joel Klatt Show: A College Football Podcast”.
Klatt predicts that Georgia Bulldogs will play against the Oregon Ducks in the national championship. Klatt has Oregon beating Ohio State in the Rose Bowl (quarterfinals) and Oregon beating Texas in the seminfinals.
“I think Oregon beats Texas. Their (Oregon’s) speed… they are dynamic. I think Oregon goes to the national championship game and they would face Georgia,” said Klatt.
Klatt predicts that Georgia will beat Indiana in the Sugar Bowl (quarterfinals). “I do like Georgia against either Indiana or Notre Dame,” said Klatt. He considers the Indiana-Notre Dame game to be a toss up.
“You just can’t quit Kirby Smart,” said Klatt. “When Kirby Smart gets into these situations… they win the game. Do we think that James Franklin and Penn State will be able to beat Georgia (in the playoff semifinals) on a neutral? Oh man, that’s a tough one. I think it could be close, but I’ve got Oregon and Georgia as the national championship game as Dan Lanning takes on his former team.”
Klatt has Oregon winning the national championship over Georgia, which is a bit of a surprise since Georgia would have a significant crowd advantage for the game.
“Remember, the first game that Dan Lanning coached at Oregon was against Georgia and they weren’t close. And now, I’ve got Oregon winning the national championship, beating Kirby Smart, beating Georgia in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium down there in Atlanta,” Klatt said. “The same stadium UGA beat Oregon 49-3 in that first game back in 2022.”
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Georgia has a tall task ahead with back up quarterback Gunner Stockton, but the media is not necessarily doubting the Bulldogs after UGA topped Texas to win the SEC championship game.
UGA football is favored to land transfer wide receiver, who was Kentucky’s leading receiver in 2024
The Georgia Bulldogs are the favorites to land a commitment from Kentucky Wildcats transfer wide receiver Dane Key.
Pete Nakos of On3 (subscription required) has a medium level of confidence that Georgia will reel in Key, who is the No. 4 wide receiver and No. 10 overall prospect in the transfer portal. Key is ranked as a four-star transfer, per 247Sports.
Key is also considering the Ole Miss Rebels, but the Rebels have already gained commitments from a pair of wide receiver transfers, including Alabama’s Caleb Odom. Odom is a former four-star recruit.
Nakos notes his projection is based on his intel.
“This is where I believe these eight players will land (if he had to make a prediction),” said Nakos. One of Nakos’ predictions has already become a reality. Washington State transfer quarterback John Mateer committed to Oklahoma as Nakos predicted with a high level of confidence.
Kentucky wide receiver Dane Key would help replenish Georgia’s wide receiver room, which is expected to lose several key contributors this offseason, including Arian Smith and Dominic Lovett.
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Key was Kentucky’s most productive receiver in 2024. He posted a team-high 47 receptions for 715 yards and two touchdowns for the Wildcats despite Kentucky’s offensive inconsistencies.
Lonergan, the No. 13 quarterback in his class of 2023, was recruited by the Bulldogs coming out of high school. However, he chose to sign with Alabama. In 2024 with the Crimson Tide, he played sparingly, throwing for 23 yards on five completions and running for 16 yards.
Five-star Ty Thompson is projected to be Alabama’s future quarterback when Jalen Milroe leaves. With Boston College, Lonergan has a clear path to starting.
Georgia is still in the running for other transfer quarterbacks, including Cal’s Fernando Mendoza and Charlotte’s DeShawn Purdie. Signing one of those arms will strengthen Georgia’s transfer class, which has no current commitments.
Three Georgia Bulldogs players who will benefit from three weeks of postseason practice
Georgia football coach Kirby Smart’s approach to this extended period of time off was very clear after the SEC championship win.
“You know, we commit 75, 80% to ourselves and growth and development and trying to get our team ready and backups ready,” Smart on what Georgia will be doing until the Sugar Bowl.
With school over and all attention on football, postseason practices function like a mini fall camp for Georgia players. It provides a chance to spend extensive time with teammates and coaches while focusing solely on development. This period presents a key opportunity for players across Georgia’s roster to grow and improve.
What three Georgia Bulldogs have the most to gain from bowl practices?
Running Back Trevor Etienne
Trevor Etienne has been dealing with injuries all season, but when he is 100% or close to it, then he is the focal point of the UGA offense. In the SEC championship game, Etienne’s status was uncertain due to a rib injury, but he decided to give it a go. He gained 122 total yards and two touchdowns to help secure the SEC title over Texas.
Now with three weeks of rest, we can finally see Etienne return to the most healthy version of himself. Etienne’s workload will be even larger with Gunner Stockton at quarterback. Etienne is playing for a lot this postseason with a chance to win a national championship and boost his NFL draft status.
Defensive Back Daniel Harris
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Georgia’s second cornerback position opposite Daylen Everette has been a revolving door this season. Julian Humphrey appeared to secure the role midway through the season. However, Harris regained momentum following a standout stretch of practices, particularly during the bye week, as noted by Smart.
Harris officially took over the spot after starting against UMass, a move that came after Humphrey was pulled during the opening drive against Tennessee due to a costly pass interference penalty. Humphrey did not see the field against Georgia Tech and has committed to transferring. The upcoming preparation for the College Football Playoff will provide Daniel Harris valuable time to further develop and solidify his understanding of the role.
Quarterback Gunner Stockton
Online Athens
We saw a glimpse of what the Georgia offense is capable of with Stockton at quarterback in the SEC championship game. The redshirt sophomore, who guided Georgia on its first touchdown drive of the game, and finished 12-for-16 for 71 yards and one interception. UGA will use Stockton’s mobility as much as it can.
Three weeks will help prepare Stockton for his first career Georgia start. Georgia will have to play complementary football and can’t rely on miracle comebacks like it did at times under Carson Beck.
Georgia is among the contenders for USC Trojans transfer wide receiver Zachariah Branch
USC Trojans wide receiver Zachariah Branch has entered the transfer portal after spending two seasons with the Trojans. Branch, who is an explosive playmaker, is a former five-star recruit.
Branch played high school football for Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. The elusive receiver is the third-best player and second-best receiver in the transfer portal according to 247Sports.
The 5-foot-10, 175-pound receiver was named as a freshman All-American in 2023. Branch will likely be a package deal with his brother, Zion Branch. Safety Zion Branch recorded 19 tackles and three pass deflections during his sophomore season with USC.
Zachariah Branch’s top contenders are expected to be Louisville, Georgia, Michigan, Florida, Oklahoma and Miami. Branch entered the transfer portal with a destination already in mind as he has a do not contact tag on his entry into the portal.
The elite transfer posted 47 receptions for 503 yards and one touchdown as a sophomore with USC in 2024. Branch has immense potential as a Percy Harvin-type player. Branch returned a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown during the 2023 college football season.
Former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver, who most recently played for the New York Giants, finds a new NFL home
Former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie signed with the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad. McKenzie began the 2024 NFL season with the New York Giants before the Giants waived him after reaching an injury settlement.
McKenzie, who is healthier now, is in his eighth season in the NFL. McKenzie was a fifth-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft and played with the Indianapolis Colts a year ago.
In 2023, the former Georgia standout recorded 11 catches for 82 receiving yards and three carries for 14 rushing yards with Indianapolis. McKenzie has also played for the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos in his NFL career.
The Dolphins are signing McKenzie to provide depth at wide receiver and as a return specialist. McKenzie finished the 2023 season with 23 punt returns for 204 yards and six kickoff returns for 152 return yards. McKenzie has one career NFL punt return touchdown.
Miami lost wide receiver Grant DuBose for the season last week. Dolphins wide receivers Jaylen Waddle and Dee Eskridge are both also dealing with injuries.
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Isaiah McKenzie had a career-best 42 catches for 423 yards and four touchdowns with Buffalo in 2022.
Five receivers the Georgia Bulldogs are targeting in the transfer portal including stars from LSU, Kentucky, Idaho and more
The Georgia Bulldogs have holes to fill at wide receiver with Arian Smith, Dominic Lovett and Colbie Young all likely departing after the 2024 college football season. Georgia added several talented wide receivers via traditional recruiting, but the Bulldogs want more experience and depth at the position.
Fve wide receiver Georgia football has targeted in the transfer portal:
Eric Singleton, Georgia Tech
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Singleton, considered the top wide receiver transfer this year, is someone Georgia knows well. With the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Singleton totaled 104 receptions for 1,468 yards and nine touchdowns in two seasons.
Dane Key is another receiver Georgia coaches should know well from playing against him. With the Kentucky Wildcats, he’s had a total of 125 receptions, 1,870 yards and 14 touchdowns in three seasons. Key shows a deep understanding of defensive leverages, good body control and reliable hands despite a lack of blazing speed.
Sturdivant transferred from Cal to UCLA in 2023, so he knows how to adjust to a new playbook quickly. In three years with Cal and UCLA, Sturdivant totaled 123 receptions, 1,667 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Georgia scheduled him to visit this week. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound receiver has drawn some NFL interest.
CJ Daniels, LSU
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CJ Daniels is another SEC wide receiver the Bulldogs have their eyes set on. Daniels started his career as a reliable target at Liberty, totaling 106 receptions, 1,959 yards and 21 touchdowns in 42 games. Then, in 2024, he transferred to LSU, where he totaled 480 yards on 42 catches.
Daniels has reliable hands and a high football IQ and is good at finding weak zones within the defense. He could help a developing quarterback if Georgia gets a transfer or sticks with one of the underclassmen the Bulldogs already have.
Jordan Dwyer, Idaho
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Jordan Dwyer is the last, but certainly not the least productive, name to look out for in this list. Dwyer leaves the Idaho Vandals with an impressive track record, garnering 109 catches, 1,651 yards and 18 touchdowns in three seasons.
Last year was his most productive year by far: 1,192 yards and 12 touchdowns on 78 receptions. He transferred from Idaho after coach Jason Eck was named the new coach of the New Mexico Lobos.
Dwyer is one of the emerging wide receivers on the transfer portal, but Georgia has already gotten in contact with him.
