Georgia football was largely overlooked in the coaches’ All-SEC selections, despite having a dominant season that culminated in winning their third SEC Championship under head coach Kirby Smart. While the Bulldogs led the conference with 14 total selections, they were surprisingly light on first-team honors.
Georgia earned just three first-team spots, with offensive guard Tate Ratledge, long snapper Beau Gardner, and kickoff specialist Peyton Woodring making the cut. While these players certainly deserved recognition, it’s unusual for a team coming off an SEC Championship to have so few first-team selections.
The Bulldogs’ representation didn’t stop there, with additional players honored on the second and third teams. On the second team, Georgia had offensive guard Dylan Fairchild, center Jared Wilson, defensive end Mykel Williams, linebacker Jalon Walker, defensive back Malaki Starks, and place kicker Peyton Woodring. Third-team selections included running back Trevor Etienne, linebackers Chaz Chambliss and Dan Jackson, defensive back Daylen Everette, and punter Brett Thorson.
Despite this strong showing, some, like linebacker Jalon Walker and punter Brett Thorson, had compelling cases for first-team honors. Walker set a college football record against Texas, while Thorson finished second in the SEC for punt yards, only trailing by a slim margin.
However, the lack of first-team selections highlights Georgia’s emphasis on team play rather than individual stars. Unlike other programs that rely on standout players, Georgia’s success has been built on a collective effort. While other teams can boast about their first-team selections, Georgia will continue to focus on their ultimate achievement—the SEC Championship.
