The transfer site started on December 4 and it has been a month since then. Georgia’s outgoing transfers are listed here, along with the date they entered the portal and whether or not they were transferred to.
Quarterback Brock Vandagriff was among the first Bulldogs to declare his intention to transfer on Monday, December 4.
The incoming redshirt junior has been a backup for the Bulldogs for the previous three seasons. Before serving as Carson Beck’s primary backup this season, he played behind Stetson Bennett IV for the first two seasons.
Vandagriff decided to transfer even though he was supposed to go in the spring and instead stayed with the Bulldogs for the 2023 campaign. In addition to 1,896 running yards and 49 rushing touchdowns, the former five-star quarterback passed for 10,097 passing yards and 107 touchdowns, making him one of the top quarterbacks in Georgia high school history statistically.
Vandagriff only made a few modest appearances on the Bulldogs’ field until this season. In his Bulldogs career, he only passed for 165 yards and two touchdowns.
Vandagriff made public his decision to move to Kentucky, where he is expected to take Devin Leary’s place as the starting lineup. Should that be the case, Vandagriff will be the third consecutive transfer quarterback to start for the Wildcats. His agility and powerful arm talent may be especially useful in the quarterback room, which has been lacking since Will Levis’ departure.
Jonathan Jefferson (DT)
On Monday, December 4, defensive lineman Jonathan Jefferson declared his intention to use the transfer portal.
The 6-foot-3, 295-pound defensive lineman is another member of the 2021 class who plans to transfer. He has spent the last three seasons with Georgia. In his third season with the organization, Jefferson was anticipated to contribute more, but as the season progressed, he dropped further down the roster.
In his Bulldogs career, the product of Douglasville, Georgia, recorded just six tackles; this season, he only totaled one. Despite dropping down the depth chart, Jefferson might have been able to start the next season because the Bulldogs might have lost a number of defensive lineman.
Instead, Jefferson will join his new squad at SMU, where he will be able to make an immediate impact.
OLB C.J. Madden
Outside linebacker and pass rusher C.J. Madden made his decision to use the transfer portal public on Monday, December 4.
Given that Madden has just spent the last two seasons with the Bulldogs, he is among the younger players to use the portal. Madden was previously a four-star recruit. The redshirt freshman only had three tackles in 2023 and didn’t play in 2022.
Although Madden was expected to play a bigger role on the field in his second season, he eventually lost ground to freshmen Damon Wilson Jr., Chaz Chambliss, and Marvin Jones Jr.
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound product of Ellenwood, Georgia, has a good build and has good talent and power right out of high school. Madden never had success with the Bulldogs, but after transferring to Purdue, he may be able to secure a starting position there.
Smith Darris OLB
On Monday, December 4, outside linebacker and pass rusher Darris Smith declared his intention to use the transfer portal.
During the season, Smith seemed to be a player to watch at one time. Early in the season, the sophomore saw a lot of playing time and was anticipated to be a major contributor. Rather, Smith had a decline in playing time and even went on a brief absence from the squad at one point in the season.
Smith has only played against Missouri once since his comeback, and that game he recorded two tackles. Smith only managed five tackles this season and nine for his Georgia career in his limited playing time.
Smith was a four-star prospect, just like Madden, but he is larger in stature, standing six feet five and 240 pounds. In addition, Smith has exceptional reach and athleticism, which might help Missouri, where he has since transferred.