Georgia football may not have had its most dominant season, but the Bulldogs are headed back to the College Football Playoff in 2024. They secured their spot in the CFP—and a shot at a national championship for the third time in four years—by winning the SEC title. Last weekend, Georgia edged out the Texas Longhorns in a 22-19 overtime thriller to claim the SEC crown and earn a first-round bye in the expanded 12-team playoff.
However, in the evolving landscape of NIL deals, revenue sharing, and an overcrowded transfer portal, even a powerhouse like Georgia is feeling the effects of roster turnover. On Friday, the Bulldogs saw former top recruits Samuel M’Pemba and linebacker Troy Bowles, son of Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles, enter the transfer portal. Since their SEC title victory, Georgia has lost several players to the portal, including highly touted prospects and potential future contributors. The departures have left Bulldogs fans reflecting on how the transfer portal is reshaping their team.
Texas Longhorns Football Fans Indifferent With Wave of Transfers
According to Graham Coffey of Dawgs Central, several members of Georgia’s 2023 recruiting class announced their plans to enter the transfer portal today. The group includes EDGE Samuel M’Pemba, linebacker Troy Bowles, and safety Justyn Rhett. All three were highly regarded as recruits but found themselves surpassed on the depth chart by younger players this season.
Since last weekend, Georgia football has seen at least seven players enter the portal, including these three former top-tier prospects. On Friday, M’Pemba, Bowles, and Rhett confirmed their intent to leave the program. M’Pemba, the No. 11-ranked edge rusher in the 2023 class, appeared in four games this season but didn’t record a tackle. Meanwhile, Bowles, another four-star recruit, didn’t register any stats, and Rhett recorded two tackles.
Although these players, along with defensive lineman Jah Jarrett, likely would not have had a major impact on Georgia’s 2024 campaign to secure a third straight national title, their departures may have long-term implications for the team’s depth. Fans took to social media to share their thoughts on the situation:
- “M’Pemba is another example of how stars don’t always translate in college. Everyone hyped him as a stud, and now he can’t even get on the field.”
- “This is why the gap between top-tier and lower-tier teams is shrinking. Upsets are becoming more common, and honestly, it’s just the reality of today’s game.”
- “I don’t blame these guys for transferring. They came here for a shot at playing on a championship-caliber team, but if younger players are passing you, it makes sense to leave. Bowles, especially, seems like a great competitor—no doubt influenced by his dad. Wishing them all the best!”
- “The transfer portal being open before the playoffs is ridiculous. Programs can now poach players, and decisions like these—along with NIL and unlimited transfers—are eroding what makes college football special.”
- “M’Pemba’s decision surprised me. He seemed like a ‘can’t-miss’ recruit, but I hope he succeeds wherever he lands. Maybe he’ll return to Missouri? Regardless, I believe he has the tools to make an impact.”
- “He’s a great athlete, just not yet a great football player. The talent is there, but he needs reps to develop, and that wasn’t happening at Georgia. Best of luck to him.”
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