Georgia head coach Kirby Smart shared some strong insights on Monday regarding the NFL’s perception of the Georgia football program and the transfer portal. In recent years, the Bulldogs have sent an impressive number of players to the NFL, leading many to believe that NFL general managers hold Georgia players in high regard. Smart all but confirmed that belief during his media session.
“Every kid’s different. Every kid’s in a different spot. How much am I playing? Will I get an opportunity somewhere else? What’s going on with my family?” Smart said when asked about players transferring. “The transfer portal is an option for some guys. It’s unfortunate because the feedback we get from the NFL is that there’s nowhere they’d rather have players than here developing.”
Smart acknowledged the challenges some players face when it comes to finding playing time at Georgia, especially with the sheer level of talent on the roster. Players like Brock Vandagriff and Jamon Dumas-Johnson, who had to transfer to find more playing opportunities, are examples of individuals with unique circumstances. However, Smart emphasized that staying at Georgia often benefits players in ways they might not realize.
He explained that NFL general managers consistently tell him that players who remain at Georgia, even if they don’t see extensive game action, are better off due to the high level of competition they face in practice.
“Countless [NFL general managers] have told me that the kids who stay in our program are better off, even if they aren’t playing as much. The kind of practice they get, the competition they go against in practice—it’s unmatched. Their best evaluations come from watching our practices.”
With 33 players selected in the NFL Draft over the last three years, Smart’s program is a proven NFL factory. He stressed that the NFL values quality over quantity when evaluating players, and Georgia provides an elite environment for development.
“Talk to one NFL scout, and they’ll tell you they’d rather see quality over quantity,” Smart added. “They don’t care about empty stats. They care about what kind of football you’re playing. And if you’re developing at Georgia, that says more than padding stats elsewhere.”
While stats still play a role in NFL evaluations, Smart’s message was clear: the training and competition players experience at Georgia far outweigh the potential benefits of transferring for more playing time at a lesser program.
A prime example of this philosophy is current starting quarterback Carson Beck. After waiting for three seasons behind other talented QBs, Beck is now leading the Bulldogs and is on pace to be a potential first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Smart’s comments highlight the culture at Georgia, where players are encouraged to trust the process, develop through competition, and earn their chance to shine. In an era where the transfer portal provides an easy exit, Smart’s philosophy reinforces the value of patience, development, and playing the long game for a shot at the NFL.
