Georgia’s special teams are entering a pivotal 2026 season after a wave of departures that reshaped the unit. The Bulldogs had placed four players on the 2025 preseason All‑SEC first team, yet none earned a spot on the 2026 list, underscoring the turnover.
A New Era for Georgia’s Special Teams
Punter Brett Thorson, a Ray Guy Award winner, left for the NFL after being signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Vikings, while kickoff and punt returner Zachariah Branch headed to the Atlanta Falcons.
Beau Gardner, the nation’s top snapper and Patrick Mannelly Award recipient, was not retained, opening a vacancy at the center of the unit.
Peyton Woodring, a Lou Groza semifinalist the previous year, returns for his fourth season as the team’s kicker, bringing experience and a proven track record.
Coach Kirby Smart has repeatedly emphasized that the special teams are in good hands, praising the blend of returning talent and fresh faces.
Freshmen Harran Zureikat, who arrived from Pittsburgh, and Wade Register are already making impressions during camp, adding depth at kicker and punter.
Drew Miller, a third‑year punter from Iowa, stepped into the role after Thorson’s injury and posted averages of 48 yards on six punts against Marshall and 39.8 yards on four against Notre Dame, showing marked improvement in hang time and coverage.
Miller’s progress is being challenged by Register, as well as by a group of potential returners — Sacovie White‑Helton, Landon Roldan and Craig Dandrige — who are vying for kickoff and punt duties.
Senior snapper Will Snellings is also performing well, while the program added Colton Dermer, a transfer from Michigan, to reinforce the unit.
Overall, the Bulldogs aim to rebuild a special teams group that, despite losing several key contributors, remains competitive and focused on excellence.