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The Future of Georgia’s Secondary: 2025 Safety Outlook

Here’s a look at the Georgia safety position for the 2025 football season, including previous college experience and the likelihood of substantial minutes for each listed player:

The Bulldogs are looking to replace key veterans in the secondary, including Dan Jackson and Malaki Starks, and have been active in the transfer portal to bolster the safety room.

Here are the players listed at safety and their outlook for 2025:

Zion Branch

• Previous College Experience: Redshirt Junior. Transferred to Georgia in the spring of 2025 after three seasons at USC. He saw action in his last two years, redshirting in 2022. He accumulated 41 tackles, 3 TFLs, one sack, and one forced fumble at USC. In 2024 (his redshirt sophomore year at USC), he had 19 tackles, 2 TFLs, and 3 passes defended in 10 games. As a redshirt freshman in 2023, he had 22 tackles and one TFL.

• Likelihood of Substantial Minutes: High. Branch is projected to be a key contributor and is listed as the second strong safety on some depth charts. He was a highly-touted transfer and has reportedly acclimated well to the Georgia system, flashing during G-Day. He’s expected to push for significant playing time.

Jaden Harris

• Previous College Experience: Redshirt Junior. Transferred to Georgia in the spring of 2025 after three seasons at Miami (FL). He totaled 47 tackles, 4 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 3 passes defended, and one interception in 25 games played and 15 starts for the Hurricanes. In 2024 (his redshirt sophomore year at Miami), he started all 13 games with 40 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, and an interception.

• Likelihood of Substantial Minutes: High. Harris brings plenty of previous starting experience from Miami and is expected to have ample opportunities for reps at Georgia. He could also see some action at the “STAR” (nickelback) position.

Adrian Maddox

• Previous College Experience: Senior. Transferred to Georgia in the spring of 2025. He played his junior season at UAB, tallying 44 tackles, 2 TFLs, two forced fumbles, and a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown. Before UAB, he played two seasons at Alabama State, where he was a preseason All-HBCU defense selection and a freshman finalist for the Jerry Rice Award. At Alabama State, he had 41 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, two forced fumbles, seven pass breakups as a sophomore, and 49 tackles, 6 TFLs, and two interceptions as a freshman.

• Likelihood of Substantial Minutes: High. Maddox is another highly-regarded transfer expected to compete for a starting spot, potentially opposite KJ Bolden at safety. He also flashed during G-Day.

Todd Robinson

• Previous College Experience: Freshman. Robinson is a true freshman in 2025. He was a four-star prospect out of Valdosta HS in Georgia, where he played quarterback and safety.

• Likelihood of Substantial Minutes: Moderate to Low (for substantial starting minutes). As a true freshman, Robinson will likely need time to develop and adjust to the college game. While he’s a talented prospect, the immediate starting spots will likely go to the more experienced transfers. However, he could see playing time on special teams and in rotational depth roles and could push for more minutes as the season progresses or in case of injuries.

Jacob Fleming

• Previous College Experience: Redshirt Junior. His college experience details are not as extensively highlighted as the transfers. He is listed as a Redshirt Junior for the 2025 season.

• Likelihood of Substantial Minutes: Low to Moderate. With the influx of experienced transfers, Fleming may have a harder time cracking the primary rotation for substantial minutes. He will likely provide depth and could see playing time on special teams.

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