Jump To Top of Page
Previewing Georgia’s Defensive Line for 2025
Georgia’s 2025 defensive line enters the season with a mix of proven veterans and emerging young talent, but questions remain about durability and readiness after an injury-plagued 2024. While the group has the potential to develop into a top-tier unit, there are hurdles to clear if it hopes to mirror the dominance of Georgia’s national championship fronts from earlier in the decade.
At the heart of the line is senior defensive tackle Christen Miller, who brings production, leadership, and consistency to the group. He recorded 27 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss in 2024, earning respect as the anchor of the interior. His experience is invaluable, especially after a season in which injuries frequently disrupted Georgia’s line rotations. Miller’s continued health and leadership will be critical.
A redshirt sophomore, Jordan Hall flashed upside in limited snaps last season. With injuries to key starters in 2024, Hall was thrust into rotational duty and showed physical tools that suggest breakout potential. However, he needs to become a more consistent presence against the run and pass. A clean bill of health entering 2025 is encouraging, but he must prove he can handle a full-time role without drop-off.
At nose tackle, Georgia features a combination of power and youth. Redshirt sophomore Xzavier McLeod and redshirt freshman Nasir Johnson are expected to rotate in the middle. Johnson, one of the more intriguing young talents, showed flashes in 2024 and will likely take on a bigger role this season. True freshman Nnamdi Ogboko also joins the interior group, bringing immense raw strength and mass. His development could be key to bolstering depth, especially if injuries arise again.
On the edge, Georgia will rely heavily on a core of talented underclassmen. Joseph Jonah-Ajonye and Justin Greene, both redshirt freshmen, headline this group. Jonah-Ajonye is a former five-star recruit with exceptional length and explosiveness. He’s expected to push for a starting role, provided he stays healthy. Greene is another blue-chip prospect whose high motor and quickness have earned praise in offseason practices. Their development is pivotal in replacing the production of past defensive ends.
Adding to the mix is Jordan Thomas, a physically imposing redshirt freshman with a versatile skill set. He has the size to play inside or on the edge, giving Georgia flexibility depending on the opponent and game plan. JJ Hanne, a walk-on who impressed during spring drills, has also worked his way into the rotation conversation as a dependable depth piece.
In 2024, the Bulldogs’ defensive line struggled with cohesion and consistency due to injuries across the front. That inconsistency led to vulnerability in stopping the run at times and a lack of consistent interior pressure. For 2025, the primary concern is whether the young depth can step in reliably if health issues reemerge. Unlike the 2021 and 2022 defensive lines, which were stacked with first-round NFL talent and layered depth, the 2025 group lacks proven stars.
Still, there’s optimism. If Miller anchors the middle as expected, and Hall, McLeod, and the young ends remain healthy and productive, this could develop into one of the SEC’s better units. The talent is evident, but success hinges on health, rapid development, and improved rotation cohesion.
Prediction: Georgia’s 2025 defensive line won’t quite match the dominance of the national championship lines, but it has the potential to be elite within the SEC. If the group stays healthy and the young players emerge, the Bulldogs will again have a formidable front capable of controlling the trenches in big games.
BSB: UGA Begins NCAA Regional Play Today at Foley
The number seven national seed Georgia Bulldogs open their 2025 NCAA Regional with Binghamton Friday at 12:06 p.m. at Foley Field. The game will be televised on the SEC Network and available on the Georgia Bulldog Sports Network.
The Bulldogs (42-15), now in their second season under Ike Cousins head baseball coach Wes Johnson, face the Bearcats (29-24), who captured their sixth America East title last week. Also at Foley Field Friday, Duke (37-19) will battle Oklahoma State (28-23) at 6:06 p.m. (ESPNU). The double-elimination format continues Saturday at 12:06 p.m. with the losers of Friday’s action playing an elimination game. The Friday winners square off on Saturday at 6:06 p.m. Game times for Sunday are 12:06 p.m. and 6:06 p.m. with Monday’s contest, if necessary, to be announced.
This year, the Bulldogs are 29-4 at home, 10-10 on the road and 3-1 at neutral sites. Georgia went 24-2 against non-conference teams during the regular season. The two losses outside the SEC came at UNC Wilmington on Feb. 16 and at then-No. 2 Clemson on Apr. 22.
Senior Slate Alford, senior Robbie Burnett, junior Brian Curley and graduate Ryland Zaborowski earned All-Southeastern Conference honors. Alford (.325-17-60) made the All-SEC first team at third base while Burnett (.318-20-66, 17 SB), Curley (4-3, 3.21 ERA, 2 SV) and Zaborowski (.35-16-60) were second team selections as an outfielder, starting pitcher and designated hitter/utility spots. Georgia leads the nation with 133 home runs and ranks fifth in fielding percentage (.982).
Georgia is 3-0 all-time against Binghamton as they came to Athens in 2014 for a three-game series during the regular season. The Bulldogs hold a 9-7 edge in the series with Duke; however, the Blue Devils last came to Foley Field for the 2018 NCAA Regional and beat Georgia twice. Georgia is 1-1 against OSU, claiming the 1990 CWS with a 2-1 win over the Cowboys in Omaha. The following season, OSU posted a 3-2 victory over Georgia in Baton Rouge, La., in the ABCA Classic.
Last season in Coach Johnson’s first year in Athens, the Bulldogs entered the NCAA Tournament with a 39-14 record, including a 17-13 mark in the SEC. That was good enough for a No. 7 national seed. Georgia swept through its Regional with victories over Army, UNC-Wilmington and Ga. Tech. Then, the Bulldogs fell one game shy of advancing to the College World Series as N.C. State claimed the Super Regional at Foley Field two games to one. Georgia finished 43-17.
Georgia is 55-36 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, including 36-20 in NCAA Regionals. Georgia has won seven regionals, four super regionals and made six trips to the CWS.
UGA-BU Probable Pitching Matchup
Leighton Finley (2-2, 5.08), RHP, Jr. vs. Brady Bouchard (3-4, 8.78), RHP, Fr.
Finley, a 6-5, 225-pound native of Richmond Hill, Ga., will be making his 31st career start, and he is 10-5 with five saves and a 4.85 ERA. This year, he is 2-2 with a 5.08 ERA in 62 innings in 15 appearances, including 13 starts.
Foley Field In 2025
- Foley Field Gates Open 1 hour before first pitch
- Tickets For Friday’s Georgia Game –Only Available on SeatGeek: https://seatgeek.com/georgia-bulldogs-baseball-tickets
- NCAA Athens Regional Tickets to Other Games. https://georgiadogs.evenue.net/list/BBS
Radio/TV/Live Stats Links
Download the official App of the Georgia Bulldogs
https://georgiadogs.com/feature/mobile-app
Live Stats: https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/baseball/d1/2025/regionals/112
Friday @ 12:06 p.m. ET
Radio: 960TheRef (Jeff Dantzler & David Johnston)
https://georgiadogs.com/watch/?Live=4842&type=Live
TV: SEC Network (Mike Ferrin & Jensen Lewis) for Game One; OSU vs. Duke on ESPNU
2025 NCAA Athens Regional Schedule
Friday, May 30
Game 1: #1 Georgia (42-15) vs. #4 Binghamton (29-24) @ Noon (SEC Network)
Game 2: #2 Duke (37-19) vs. #3 Oklahoma State (28-23) @ 6 p.m. (ESPNU)
Saturday, May 31 (TV-TBA)_
Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 @ Noon
Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 @ 6 p.m.
Sunday, June 1 (TV-TBA)
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3 @ Noon
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5 @ 6 p.m.
Monday, June 2 (TV-TBA)
Game 7: (If necessary) Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, TBA
All times ET
ICYMI: Several 2025 Kickoff Times Announced
MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. — A similar game time as well as the networks for five of Georgia’s upcoming 2025 regular season football games have been released, according to an announcement from the Southeastern Conference.
The Bulldogs’ season opener on Aug. 30 in Athens versus Marshall on Dooley Field in Sanford Stadium will be at 3:30 p.m. and televised by ESPN. The Bulldogs won the only other game between the two schools in 2004 (13-3 in Athens).
Georgia will play host to Austin Peay on Sept. 6 and that contest will be at 3:30 and streamed on ESPN+/SECN+. Georgia has played Austin Peay one other time, topping the Governors 45-0 in Athens in 2018.
The next week on Sept. 13, the Bulldogs will play their SEC opener at Tennessee and ABC will televise the matchup at 3:30 p.m. The Bulldogs have won eight straight games over the Volunteers, including the last four in Knoxville, Tenn.
*The traditional showdown between Georgia and Florida in Jacksonville, Fla., on Nov. 1 will again be at 3:30 p.m. and featured on ABC. Georgia is 7-1 versus the Gators since 2017 after besting UF 34-20 in 2024.
The Bulldogs will conclude the regular season against Georgia Tech on Friday, Nov. 28. The matchup will be played in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta at 3:30 p.m. and ABC will also televise this battle. The Bulldogs’ seventh consecutive victory over the Yellow Jackets came last year during an eight-overtime win in Athens.
Jump To Today’s Discussion Thread