In a recent discussion about the depth of his roster, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart used the term “deterioration of football,” which caught many by surprise. Smart expressed concerns about the current state of the team’s depth, stating that the program is not as strong as it has been in previous years. He noted that there seems to be a decline in the number of players capable of stepping in and playing effectively. “We’ve got a long way to go as a football team,” Smart said. “We’re not close to where we need to be. The depth we once had seems to be decreasing year by year.”
Many interpreted Smart’s comments as criticism of the transfer portal, given that Georgia has experienced significant player turnover due to transfers. This offseason alone, 21 players left the Bulldogs program through the transfer portal. In contrast, Georgia currently has only 27 players on its roster who are in their third year with the team, highlighting a decrease in long-term familiarity and continuity within the program.
During the same press conference, Smart was asked directly if the transfer portal was the primary factor behind the perceived decline in his team’s depth. Smart did not single out the transfer portal as the sole cause but instead suggested several potential reasons. He mentioned that fewer players might be participating in football due to high school programs having less time to develop players because of demanding practice schedules. This reduction in high school development could be impacting the quality of recruits coming up to college football.
Georgia maintains its roster size of 85 scholarship players, a standard across all college football programs. However, Smart discussed the possibility of expanding this number to 105, depending on future rule changes. He questioned whether increasing the roster size to 105 would be beneficial, noting concerns about managing a larger number of players and potential issues with player dissatisfaction and NIL opportunities.
Smart acknowledged that he needs to make the most of the current roster, which might involve relying more heavily on freshmen. Georgia’s recruiting remains top-notch, as evidenced by the No. 1 recruiting class for the 2024 cycle. While freshmen like safety KJ Bolden and running back Nate Frazier are expected to contribute early, Smart has previously given significant roles to first-year players, such as Andrew Thomas in 2017 and Malaki Starks in 2022.
Despite concerns about roster depth, Smart conceded that Georgia’s program is in better shape compared to many others. The Bulldogs have a remarkable record of 42-2 over the past three seasons and start this year as the top-ranked team in the country. Nonetheless, Smart feels that the overall quality of the team is not as high as it has been in recent years.
Smart’s comments reflect broader concerns about the direction of college football. While the transfer portal is often blamed for the state of the sport, Smart recognizes that other factors contribute to the changing landscape. His reflections highlight ongoing challenges and adjustments within the sport as programs navigate these evolving dynamics.
