The past few years, ESPN has offered its offseason evaluation of College Football’s future with an annual power rankings preview. The Future Power Rankings, better known as FPR, is not a one-year projection. It has just as much to do with 2025 and 2026 as it does 2024, and that’s reflected through the look at recruiting rankings, depth charts and so forth. As you probably could guess with Georgia’s success stacking talent on top of talent with the nation’s top ranked Class of 2024 and eight straight groups ranked in the top-3, the Bulldogs are well off in ESPN’s eyes, putting Kirby Smart’s crew at No. 1.
“Georgia retained the top spot in the team rankings and the choice wasn’t very difficult,” ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg wrote. “If the Bulldogs had stayed healthier down the stretch last season, they might have claimed a third consecutive national title after being ranked No. 1 for most of the fall. They will enter 2024 as one of the frontrunners for a championship, led by Heisman Trophy contender Carson Beck at quarterback and a deep and talented defense. Georgia also has more stability than many perennial top-five teams, as coach Kirby Smart is signed through 2033 and the team is still viewed as the one to beat in the SEC.”
Diving deeper into the rankings, ESPN had Georgia’s quarterback situation at No. 4 – and that came before the Bulldogs added a top-100 prospect from the Class of 2023 as a transfer in Jaden Rashada. UGA’s future on defense ranked No. 1 in the nation with the way the Bulldogs have been able to accumulate five-stars while the offense, slightly less successful on the recruiting trail but equally as productive on the field, comes in at No. 3.
“Georgia’s defensive setup is unmatched, as a front seven loaded with depth and emerging star power, including linebackers Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams, will lead the 2024 team. Notable senior returnees include linebackers Smael Mondon Jr. and Chaz Chambliss, and interior linemen Nazir Stackhouse and Warren Brinson. All-America safety Malaki Starks is back, and if Georgia can fortify the cornerback spot in the short term, the unit seemingly has no weaknesses,” Rittenberg wrote. “The team signed ESPN’s top-rated 2024 recruiting class, headlined by cornerback Ellis Robinson IV, inside linebacker Justin Williams and three other defenders ranked in the top 26 nationally … The Bulldogs also recently added a commitment from outside linebacker Zayden Walker, ESPN’s No. 15 recruit in the 2025 class.”
“The quarterback rankings were compiled before Jaden Rashada, an ESPN top-35 recruit in 2023, transferred from Arizona State to provide another capable option following Beck’s exit next season. Rashada will compete with Gunner Stockton and Ryan Puglisi and should keep the offense on a strong trajectory,” he continued. “Despite losing Brock Browers, Georgia has the nation’s best tight end setup with junior Oscar Delp, Stanford transfer Benjamin Yurosek, incoming freshman Jaden Reddell (ESPN 300 No. 51) and the nation’s top two 2025 tight end recruits in Elyiss Williams and Ethan Barbour. Running back depth also jumps out with Florida transfer Trevor Etienne, Roderick Robinson II, Branson Robinson and others, including freshman Nathaniel Frazier, ESPN’s No. 3 running back and No. 62 overall recruit. Senior guard Tate Ratledge, a second-team All-America selection in 2023, is back to lead an offensive line that should remain a team strength, as tackle Earnest Greene III and others will play through 2025. Wide receiver is the one iffy spot. Although Dominic Lovett provides short-term leadership, Rara Thomas and Miami transfer Colbie Young should help.”
It’s a lot of names, but it all comes back to one simple principle: Kirby Smart is never satisfied. After leading Georgia to a National Championship Game appearance in 2018, the choked up head coach declared that the Dawgs “weren’t going anywhere.” Smart wanted to Georgia to be a regular on the stage of the SEC Championship Game and national title race. He accomplished that with return trips to Atlanta in 2018, 2019 and 2021 before breaking through with the Bulldogs’ first National Championship in over four decades. A second straight title and six SEC Championship Game appearances in seven seasons has only solidified what Smart said back after an overtime loss to Alabama.
Of course, the College Football landscape is changing. Georgia’s schedule just got tougher with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC and the ensuing decision to do away with divisions. However, a 12-team Playoff should give the Bulldogs some breathing room – not needing perfection every season – to still compete for national championships.
Smart, on top of his statement in 2018, has said Georgia is built to last. The Bulldogs aren’t just a one-hit wonder, and ESPN’s power rankings certainly show that. With excellence at just about every position and stability from the coaching staff, ESPN is right (and Smart was too): Georgia is here to stay.
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