Kirby Smart, Georgia expected to ramp up NIL efforts in 2026
The͏ Georgia͏ Bul͏ldo͏gs have been on the forefront of college football for many years. However, the program’s NIL approach started a few steps behind, forcing coach Kirby Smart to fight for his players.
Since then, the Bulldogs have tried to set the standard for with a surplus of resources. But it’s no secret the la͏ndscape o͏f col͏lege athletics has͏ ͏been evolving, and Georgia is staying ahead of the curve. One College Football analyst believes Georgia is about to ramp up efforts for 2026.
“I think this is truly the recruiting cycle where we see Kirby Smart and Georgia, kind of “let it rip” a little bit more on the NIL front,” On3’s Steve Wiltfong said. “I think he thought that people were full of (expletive) at how much they were actually getting.”
As the 2025 college football season approaches, Georgia has to see the ‘writing on the wall’ and how they can improve in the SEC and beyond. Not to mention, the actuality of a ‘Super League’ is not decades down the road.
“Georgia was winning with the way that they were recruiting and developing players internally, but had some misses on the recruiting trail. And to know that those misses were purely NIL,” Wilfong added. “I think that we are seeing Georgia arming up in that arena more than ever in 2026.”
Smart’s efforts will put Georgia in-play for many top recruits in next year’s cycle. If they can truly ‘let it rip’, the sky might be the limit for the Bulldogs.
