January 2 was a tough day for the Georgia Bulldogs. Not not were they eliminated from the College Football Playoffs, but did so to a team who haven’t won any major bowl games in three decades. Despite Georgia outgaining Notre Dame 294 yards to 213, Kirby Smart’s team couldn’t pull it off when it mattered. It’s evident that neither Carson Beck nor Gunner Stockton exactly set the world on fire, and with a shaky offensive line and Riley Leonard playing like a video game character, Georgia couldn’t get it together this year. But hold up; with NILs in play, Kirby Smart isn’t done…

The HC—who joined the Dawgs’ arsenal in 2015—is reportedly poised to mount a befitting comeback if we are to listen to industry insider. In a video aired January 13, Paul Finebaum sat down with That SEC Football podcast’s Mike Bratton on The Paul Finebaum podcast, where Finebaum asked, “We have three SEC teams in the playoffs…let’s talk about, you mentioned Texas, let’s get to Georgia and Tennessee as we close down the season for the elite teams of the SEC. What do you see coming up next year?”

After a heartbreaking season that cannot be judged by their overall record (11-3), Georgia football is seemingly going all-in in terms of NIL because this time it’s all about playing all your cards right. As Mike says revealed, “Well, Kirby Smart and Georgia are finally spending in NIL, bringing in some big transfers at the receiver position. So, uh, maybe a little bit of a revenge tour. You know, they have had mock revenge tours claiming seven and five was their prediction. No one in their right mind predicted that. But people are burying the SEC. I think they’re burying Kirby Smart and particularly his offense.” Mike is not wrong about the NIL, as the future looks massive for the Dawgs.

“Now with Carson Beck, of course, jumping to Miami…I wonder if there’s a little internal motivation that that wasn’t there the last couple of years. I think Georgia is still the team to beat in the SEC quarterback. And offensive coordinator is still a big question. Not saying those are bad positions, but I don’t know if they have Championship players and coaches in those positions, but still I think Georgia, as long as Kirby smarts down there running the defensive team, is the team to beat.”

Now, where teams like Michigan are out there paying hefty amounts to the players, how come Georgia will back out? With Gov. Brian Kemp paving the way for Georgia, his chances of athletes cashing in are even bigger. When the House vs. NCAA settlement lands, student-athletes could see up to $22 million in payouts, which is just double their last year’s $12 million roster salary. It’s clear the Bulldogs are setting the pace, building a system where players get rewarded now and in the future.

Talking about the revenge tour, Carson Beck hitting the portal instead of the NFL? Yeah, that probably hit Kirby Smart like a bad snap in the fourth quarter. The guy was a top-five QB draft prospect but dipped for Miami instead of sticking with the Dawgs. Sure, Georgia’s got Gunner Stockton, the QB Kirby supposedly trusts. Stockton did his thing against Notre Dame, throwing for 234 yards on 20-of-32, but let’s be real: Georgia needs a lot of fixing, and Stockton alone can’t make it happen.

Even though Kirby Smart expertly used NIL to recruit receivers from the portal like Noah Thomas and Zachariah Branch for supporting his quarterback, let’s be honest: Georgia’s rushing attack is at 102nd position, with their offensive line allowing 25 sacks, and they lead the nation in dropped passes (36). Those statistics aren’t exactly championship-worthy. So, can Gunner Stockton carry the Dawgs?

Kirby Smart’s team keeps losing key talent to the portal

Just a week ago, Jaden Rashada made a surprising departure from Georgia football without even playing a snap. Losing him definitely hurts. Another unexpected move was Carson Beck’s decision to enter the transfer portal instead of the NFL draft. Although his early performances were rough, he was starting to show improvement. If he had stayed for another year, he could have made a significant impact for the Dawgs. The transfer portal has been buzzing, and Georgia is definitely feeling the effects.

Already, nine players have left, and experts predict that 10-20 more could follow. The reason? NIL, baby. This isn’t old-school college football anymore. Players no longer wait around for their chance; they are now driven by financial opportunities and the desire for playing time. If they feel overlooked, they will quickly pack their bags, enter the transfer portal, and end up playing for teams like Notre Dame.

It’s a harsh reality, but that’s the game now. Kirby Smart has one chance to change the narrative: he must secure Florida Gators QB Deshawn Purdie, who just entered the transfer portal. Purdie is the type of player who can fill the gaps in the roster and provide much-needed firepower for the Dawgs with his experience. In a world where loyalty is rare and NIL rules, Kirby must go all out. Snagging Purdie wouldn’t just be a win—it’d be a statement that Georgia isn’t going down without a fight.