The Georgia Bulldogs have landed in the College Football Playoff as the No. 3 seed. While they’ve got a first-round bye, several ex-Bulldogs are set to show off for other teams in the playoff.
This piece takes a look at these transfers and what they bring to their new squads’ playoff hopes.
Georgia Transfers Making Waves in the College Football Playoff
As Georgia gears up for its playoff run, six former Bulldogs are suiting up for other teams. These guys have found new homes and are now right in the middle of their teams’ postseason dreams.
The group includes a standout quarterback, some tough defensive linemen, and even a kicker who might end up in the spotlight when the pressure’s on.
Carson Beck: Leading the Miami Hurricanes
Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck is probably the most talked-about of the bunch. Beck missed Georgia’s Sugar Bowl last season with an elbow injury, but now he’s Miami’s starter.
He’s got a QBR of 80.6—good for 11th in the country. Sure, he had six picks in Miami’s two losses, but he’s also thrown for 3,072 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Miami, sitting at the No. 10 seed, will need Beck at his best when they face Texas A&M in the first round.
Texas A&M’s Trio of Georgia Transfers
Texas A&M has three former Georgia players ready for their playoff matchup with Miami. None have quite the same headline role as Beck, but they could still make things interesting:
- Jared Zirkel: The kicker is competing with Randy Bond, who’s had some struggles this season. Zirkel’s made four of six field goals and hit 19 of 20 extra points. If things get tight, his accuracy could matter a lot.
- Julio Humphrey: Playing as a reserve defensive back, Humphrey’s seen the field in 10 games. He’s got seven tackles and a pass deflection—not huge numbers, but he could be called on if needed.
- Sam M’Pemba: The linebacker has only played three games, with two tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. Not a big role, but you never know when a fresh face can shake things up.
Impact Players on Defense
Two other ex-Bulldogs have become important pieces on defense for their new teams. They’ve managed to carve out real roles and could be difference-makers in the playoffs.
Marvin Jones: Anchoring Oklahoma’s Defense
Defensive lineman Marvin Jones has bounced around, spending a season at Florida State before landing at Oklahoma for 2025. Jones has played in all 12 games for the Sooners, who have the No. 9 total defense in the country, giving up just 273.6 yards a game.
Oklahoma’s defense is also seventh in scoring, holding teams to 13.9 points per game. Jones has put up 19 tackles, a sack, and a pass deflection, making himself a steady part of their defensive rotation.
Bear Alexander: A Force for Oregon
Defensive lineman Bear Alexander took his own winding path, transferring from USC to Oregon after redshirting in 2024. Now, he’s a major presence for Oregon, which boasts the No. 20 run defense, giving up just 107.2 yards per game.
Alexander’s stat line: 45 tackles, half a sack, two fumble recoveries, and a pass deflection. Oregon’s run-stopping success owes a lot to his work up front.
Looking Ahead: Playoff Matchups
The Miami vs. Texas A&M first-round game is shaping up as a showcase for former Georgia players. Carson Beck will get plenty of attention as Miami’s quarterback, but Texas A&M’s trio could have their moments too.
Miami Hurricanes vs. Texas A&M Aggies
Miami, led by Beck, is set to face Texas A&M and its three Georgia transfers. Beck’s job is to keep the offense moving and avoid turnovers. As for Texas A&M, kicker Jared Zirkel might be called on with the game on the line, and Humphrey and M’Pemba—though not starters—could still tip the scales if things get weird.
Oklahoma Sooners and Oregon Ducks
Meanwhile, Oklahoma and Oregon are counting on their former Georgia defensive linemen to hold things down. Marvin Jones is a key cog for Oklahoma’s defense, and Bear Alexander gives Oregon’s run D some real bite. Both could be the difference in tight playoff games—though, as always, it’s tough to predict who’ll step up when it matters most.
Conclusion
The College Football Playoff just got a bit more intriguing with so many former Georgia Bulldogs in the mix. Their new teams are counting on them, and honestly, so are a lot of curious fans and analysts.
Carson Beck is now leading Miami. Will he rise to the occasion? Jared Zirkel could end up deciding a game for Texas A&M with a single kick—no pressure, right?
Marvin Jones and Bear Alexander are holding things down on defense for their squads. It’s hard not to wonder how much of an impact they’ll really make when the stakes are this high.
If you want all the details on where these Georgia transfers landed and what roles they’ll play, you can check out the full article.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
