CBS Sports’ John Talty is worried that the Bulldogs defense is at risk of taking another step back next year if they don’t make the necessary moves in the transfer portal to avoid further defensive slippage.

“With Smart at the helm, you’re never going to worry about Georgia’s defense but it lived on reputation more than reality in 2024 and looks worse on paper next season. The parity sweeping through college football has attacked Georgia’s defensive depth just like it did to Alabama and other programs that made a killing on stockpiling talent. Just like on offense, Georgia needs an instant contributor or two out of the transfer portal on defense,” Talty wrote.

Smart’s defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann, is a popular head coaching candidate around the country this cycle. He wasn’t hired during the initial hiring blitz this cycle, but there’s always the possibility he gets an offer after the College Football Playoff –  when the winning team likely loses staff members.

Losing Schumann would be tough, but great defensive minds would be chomping at the bit for a bigger job like defensive coordinator at UGA. Smart wouldn’t be hurting to replace him, and given the unit’s regression in recent years, maybe it’s time for Schumann to move onto his own version of bigger and better.

At the end of the day, defensive recruits are signing up for the allure of a Smart-coached Bulldogs team. If he can land a few difference-makers, that’ll be the difference.

Not all 5-star prospects are created equal. If Smart finds the right ones, since we know he’ll be collecting 5-stars regardless, Georgia should return to its rightful spot atop the college football world.