“It’s like 2 a.m. at the bar.” Those are the words Andy Staples used this week to describe the Spring Transfer Portal. The second Transfer Portal window opened on April 15th and closes on April 30th. With Spring camp over, players can enter their names and take a shot somewhere else. Coaches will look to Portal to find that missing depth or piece to get them into position for the fall. Both are looking to not go home alone and with clouded judgment.
Georgia Spring Transfer Portal Update
Georgia has seen five of its players enter the Portal since it opened on the 15th: Shone Washington (DL), Marcus Washington (CB), Griffin Scroggs (OL), Bear Alexander (DL), and Rian Davis (LB). Notice there is not a quarterback on the list, Brock Vandagriff decided to stay and compete rather than seek greener pastures elsewhere. Alexander announced Sunday night that he was transferring to USC. Here’s a quick look at Alexander and what his loss means for Georgia.
East to the West they ain’t seen nothing like it yet
Let’s work #FightOn
— Bear Alexander (@BearAlexander_) April 23, 2023
Bear Alexander Fights On
Alexander is a rising sophomore and was a top-50 recruit in the Class of 2022. He appeared in eight games during the 2022 season and had two sacks and nine tackles. His role figured to increase in 2023 with Jaylen Carter heading to the NFL. Transfering is not new for Alexander. The Texas native played at three different Texas high schools before finishing his high school career at IMG Academy.
While the move will hurt Georgia’s depth, the team still has plenty of talent to rely upon. Newcomer Jordan Hall, a five-star in the class of 2023 stands to benefit most from Alexanders’s move. 247Sports raved about Hall’s, a Jacksonville native, body control and his ability as a disruptor on the defensive line. “Rather nimble for a big man as he shifts his weight well and always seems to be in control of his body. Above-average snap anticipation allows him to shoot into the backfield and get to work while a lower pad level makes it easier for him to find leverage and create push with his leg drive.”
Georgia Transfer Portal Ranking
Georgia is not as active as some of the other teams across the country in using the Transfer Portal to build its roster. Ten players enter the Transfer Portal in the December-January window. Fans saw one of their favorites, Adonai Mitchell, head to Texas. Kirby Smart added three key pieces to the 2023 roster. Rara Thomas (Mississippi State) and Dominic Lovett (Missouri) were brought in to reinforce Georgia’s receiving core. Each was their SEC team’s leading receiver in 2022. Smoke Bouie (Texas A&M) was a 4-star recruit for the Aggies and should bolster the Georgia secondary.
Smart did not praise or disparage the Transfer Portal in his comments following the Spring game. “We’ve got a lot of guys who have benefitted from the portal and I hope we benefit from the portal. We had a couple of guys out there today that came by way of the portal that made really good plays.” While Georgia will not rely on it to build its roster, Smart will use it to reinforce his roster. “It’s the climate we’re in and we’ll do the best we can to capitalize on it. But I’m very pleased with what we’ve got on our team and our roster. It’s not a way we’re going to build a team by any means.”
After winning two straight national championships, there seems little need for Smart or Georgia to wait around for last call. After all, mama always said: “Nothing good happens after midnight.”
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