Here's the thing about Georgia's 2026 football team: even if the offense doesn't become everything we think it can be, I still have a hard time imagining this team being bad.

And that's because of the defense.

We can talk about the questions on offense. We can wonder how quickly Gunner Stockton develops, who emerges at wide receiver, and whether Georgia consistently runs the football the way we expect. Maybe there are some growing pains. Maybe the offense takes a few weeks to really find its identity.

Even in that scenario, Georgia has an enormous safety net on the other side of the ball.

This defense is loaded.

There are difference-makers at every level, and Glenn Schumann has a ridiculous amount of talent to work with. If this group plays up to its potential, Georgia should be able to make life miserable for opposing offenses all season.

And that gives this team something incredibly valuable: a high floor.

You don't have to be an elite offense every Saturday when your defense can keep games close, create turnovers, get off the field, and put your offense in favorable situations.

Of course, the ceiling is much higher if the offense takes that next step. But that's what makes this team so intriguing. The defense gives Georgia a chance to win while the offense figures things out.

And there's another reason to appreciate this defense: this may be Glenn Schumann's last season in Athens.

If that's the case, we should enjoy watching him work.

Schumann has become one of the best defensive minds in college football, and there's a chance we're watching the final chapter of his Georgia story.

Soak it in, Dawg fans.

This defense could be special—and we may not get to watch Schumann run it for much longer.

Georgia’s depth and championship expectations were reinforced this week as the Bulldogs placed 11 players on the 2026 Preseason Coaches All-SEC Team, tying Texas for the most selections in the conference. Four Bulldogs landed on the first team: offensive tackle Earnest Greene III, center Drew Bobo, cornerback Ellis Robinson IV, and safety KJ Bolden.

The recognition stretches across the roster. Running back Nate Frazier, tight end Lawson Luckie, guard Dontrell Glover, defensive lineman Elijah Griffin, and linebacker Raylen Wilson earned second-team honors. Quarterback Gunner Stockton and edge defender Gabe Harris Jr. rounded out Georgia’s representation as third-team selections.

Preseason recognition does not win games, but 11 selections illustrate how complete the Bulldogs appear entering the season. Georgia has established talent at the top of the roster, emerging stars in key roles, and enough depth to withstand the weekly physicality of an SEC schedule.
Two Bulldogs appear especially well positioned to finish the season on the postseason All-SEC team: KJ Bolden and Nate Frazier.

Bolden has the clearest path. The junior safety is already viewed as one of the league’s premier defensive backs and enters the year as a preseason first-team selection. His range, tackling ability, instincts in coverage, and capacity to create turnovers give him the kind of all-around résumé voters reward. If Georgia fields another elite defense, Bolden should be at the center of it.
Frazier may be Georgia’s most compelling offensive candidate. The junior running back begins on the preseason second team, but a larger workload and strong production could elevate him quickly. If he becomes the Bulldogs’ reliable closer in SEC games while pairing explosive plays with consistent efficiency, Frazier has the profile to climb into first-team consideration.

Georgia’s 11 preseason selections reflect respect. Bolden and Frazier turning that recognition into postseason honors would show the Bulldogs’ talent translated into impact when it mattered most.

Ok. We don’t have a recording for you this week. That’s our bad. It’s been a crazy one. But, here’s an update on what we are thinking as we head into the season. During the season our Locked On Bulldogs show will continue to put our the normal 5 episodes PLUS a Saturday overreaction show.

On top of all that, our expectation is that the newsletter will be once per week, sometimes twice on particularly big weeks. AND Talking Dawgs will put out at least 1-2 episodes (different from Locked On) every week as well.

Thanks so much for helping us get this new brand off the ground! We have a LOT of exciting things planned for the future and are so excited to have so many of you on board already!! Make sure you’re subscribed everywhere you get audio pods as well as youtube so you don’t miss anything!