Georgia was on a serious recruiting roll—until midweek heartbreak hit. The Bulldogs missed out on their top 2026 target, No. 1 overall Jackson Cantwell, who stunned many by choosing Miami over Athens. But let’s not forget: the Dawgs had just landed 3 key commits in the 12 days before that, including five-star quarterback Jared Curtis. Now, Kirby Smart and his staff are shifting gears, hosting one of the biggest recruiting weekends of the year. However, the goal? Stack even more talent in an already-loaded 2026 class. But while Smart looks ahead, a big question still looms — is there a Heisman hero hiding on this season’s roster?

Well, since the dawn of the 2000s, Georgia has only had one name in the Heisman spotlight—Stetson Bennett in 2022. Fast forward to now, and the buzz is back. This time, it’s Gunner Stockton stealing headlines. His odds are floating around the sportsbooks: +2500 on DraftKings, +3500 on FanDuel, and hovering at +3300 elsewhere. That puts him in the top 10–20 range, making Stockton the Bulldogs’ best Heisman bet—for now. Although quarterbacks usually rule the Heisman race, last year proved it’s not a given. Just ask Travis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty. So here we are—loaded roster, big hype, but the question still hangs in the air: Does Georgia really have that guy this year?

Here, on the UGA Football on Dawg Post – Ryan Kerley dropped a bombshell that sent waves through Bulldog Nation—no legit Heisman contender at Georgia? With pressure mounting on Kirby Smart, Kerley didn’t hold back and said, “I think that there is probably more star power on Georgia’s offense than there was a year ago. Now, my knee-jerk reaction—my honest answer to this usually—is: I don’t think Georgia has a Heisman contender. I don’t think that Georgia… I just don’t know. And I don’t really see Georgia having a Heisman winner or contender.” Bold take. And one that raises eyebrows as the Dawgs head into a season full of expectations.

However, when it comes to this season, Kerley points to something deeper. “And partially it’s because of the unselfishness. It’s the play style of this offense. And it’s just kind of the way things go with Kirby and these Dawgs,” he explained. But Kerley didn’t stop there. He brought in a sharp take and dove into the Heisman Trophy conversation, adding even more fuel to the debate surrounding Georgia’s quest for a true standout.

Well, CJ Allen recently got a nod as a Heisman Trophy candidate from CBS, sparking some buzz. And Kerley shared their take: “Realistically, Georgia probably doesn’t have a serious Heisman contender, but [CJ] Allen will have a serious case for being one of the best defenders in college football. The junior totaled 117 tackles, with six for loss, in his first two seasons in Athens and should take on an even bigger role after Jaylen Walker’s departure. If Georgia’s defense gets back to all-world caliber, Allen will be a huge part.” So, Allen’s impact on the field is undeniable, and if the Dawgs’ defense rises, he’ll be a key piece of that elite puzzle.

However, Ryan Kerley isn’t shy about calling it like he sees it. He’s quick to debunk the hype while giving credit where it’s due. Kerley said, “Yes, CJ Allen is going to be a huge part of Georgia’s defense. Yes, I think he’s a Butkus Award candidate, and I think he’s one of the best linebackers in college football.” No doubt, Allen’s talent shines bright, and Kerley believes he’s poised to be a game-changer for the Dawgs this season.

While Smart’s 1,628-yard linebacker sparks hope, the path to a Heisman win still isn’t clear for Georgia.

Will Kirby Smart’s defense produce a Heisman winner?

Ryan Kerley highlighted that the best linebacker season at Georgia in recent memory was Roquan Smith’s, who tallied around 130 tackles. Although returning leading tackler CJ Allen posted 76 tackles last year, Georgia’s strength lies in its depth. The Dawgs rely on a solid linebacker rotation featuring Chris Cole, Justin Williams, and Rayen Wilson, alongside promising newcomers like Zayen Walker and AJ Crew. Veteran Terrell Foster, who earned significant first-team reps during G-Day, further boosts the linebacker corps, making Georgia’s defense a well-rounded force.

But middle linebackers rarely make it to the Heisman final stage. However, the last time was Johnny Manziel—and he wasn’t just a finalist; he was the clear winner. But Kerley knows the challenge all too well, so he said, “It would take a lot of convincing for me to come around and say CJ Allen or really anybody on this Georgia defense will be a Heisman finalist.” That just shows how tough the road is for defenders chasing the trophy.

Now, let’s see if Kirby Smart’s 2025 roster can step up their game and turn into Heisman contenders or not.