The stability of Kirby Smart’s Georgia Football program will be the cornerstone as the 2025 Dawgs look to improve dramatically at running the football (on offense) and stopping the run (on defense).

“We’ve built our program around retention,” said head coach Kirby Smart in the opening spring practice press conference. “I think we’ve got the most stable, not only staff, but organization in all of college football.”

While all 10 assistant coaches return for the first time in Smart’s decade-long stint with Georgia, the NFL production leaves holes throughout the roster, and the Bulldogs’ rush attack seems to be directly affected. Those tenured coaches must hone in on multiple porous, weak spots in the lineup if the Bulldogs want to get back to the run-stopping defense and run-heavy offense of yesteryears.

First, offensive line coach Stacy Searels must get Georgia back to a dominant front that opens up the run game and wins national titles. Georgia’s 2024 offense averaged over 65 less rushing yards per game than it did as a program in 2021, ‘22 and ‘23. Despite the lackluster rushing statistics of the ‘24 campaign, four members of the Bulldogs’ starting offensive line unit have moved on.

This brings a new opportunity for competition. Earnest Greene has the most starting experience while Micah Morris and Drew Bobo entered as rotational guys with occasional starts in the place of injuries; however, with so many gaps, expect to see new faces, even freshmen, get significant minutes alongside these veterans.

“Overall, [last season] wasn’t what we wanted, but all we can do is work harder toward that standard,” said Morris. “All of the offensive lineman, all the younger guys, they’re developing well. They’re paying attention. They’re listening. They are accepting coaching, which is the main thing.”

An improved rush attack begins with the offensive line, but the running backs close it out with blazing speed and big play bursts. As leader of the running back room, Nate Frazier will carry more than just talent into 2025, he carries a purpose.

“I’m from California … and where I come from, my city, there’s only a couple of options,” said Frazier. “My why is my family. My why is putting my city on my back, and it’s showing all the kids there are other options … Just make sure you give effort in everything you do.”

Frazier will not only put Southern California on his back but the entire running back room. Cash Jones is another experienced back with a great out-of-the-backfield presence in the passing game, but first, the running back room must establish the ground game to open up the air threats for quarterback Gunner Stockton.

Similar to the offense, the defensive trench Dawgs will have much younger faces. The team lost seven members of Georgia’s rotational front seven to the pros. Furthermore, it wasn’t just the pros that snagged Dawgs as key contributor Damon Wilson and budding star Sam M’Pemba transferred out.

In Georgia’s ‘21 and ‘22 championship seasons, the defense gave up only 78.9 and 77.1 rushing yards per game, respectively. These defenses were two of the best in college football history. On the contrary, the level of execution dwindled last season as the defense gave up nearly 130 rushing yards per game.

With Jalon Walker, Mykel Williams and Chaz Chambliss off to the pros, there are huge shoes to fill in the OLB room and on the edge. The next man up is Gabe Harris Jr. He is bringing leadership and energy to a shallow position group, understanding he’s coaching up the next great outside enforcers of the Junkyard Dawgs.

“I just want to be a valuable player,” said Harris. “It doesn’t matter where they put me: [defensive] end, jack, it doesn’t matter … One thing about Georgia, we are always training the guys up under us, and I feel like everybody is going to be prepared when that time comes.”

Highly-touted recruits filled Georgia’s No. 2 overall signing class; young studs like five-star EDGE rusher Isaiah Gibson and four-stars Darren Ikinnagbon and Chase Linton are learning from Harris and will have the opportunity to be immediate impact players on the outside in shutting down the run.

Middle linebacker CJ Allen has been a heralded starter since his freshman year after Jamon Dumas-Johnson went down with injury. Now, he’s the next great linebacker from LBU with Raylen Wilson beside him in the middle of the defense.

“The standard is always going to be the standard no matter who is here and who has left,” said Allen.

Sophomores Chris Cole and Justin Williams will assume the reins after Allen and Wilson depart, but the two second-year stars will be leaders and difference makers in 2025 as well.

“I’ve become more vocal,” said Williams. “I’ve taken on that leadership role in the linebacker room, having more fire and energy … I can definitely improve on keying the line, knowing what to do in certain calls, and I feel like that can help us when it comes to stopping the run.”

Cole and Williams standout as fiery young ones on defense that are ready to stop the run while Frazier brings that same booming presence on offense to get the run game started. Veterans like Green, Morris and Bobo bring some experience but also a chip on their shoulder as they try to re-establish the “Great Wall of Georgia.” On the other hand, Harris, Allen and Wilson will anchor the defense, crushing the opposition’s run threat.

Get ready, Bulldog Nation! It’s going to be a wild 2025, but with new faces and returning veterans, this squad is ready to establish what they can do in the run game on both sides of the ball. It all starts on the ground, an enforcement of will and who we are: Them Dawgs!