Georgia football’s exodus continues, as former five-star Joenel Aguero intends to enter the transfer portal, dealing another blow to Kirby Smart’s 2026 roster.
After Georgia was eliminated from the College Football Playoffs quarterfinals by Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl on Thursday, several Georgia players announced their intention to enter the transfer portal in the days following.
Kirby Smart’s 2026 Transfer Portal Saga Continues As Star DB Seeks a New Program
Among those players, who revealed their decisions after the Sugar Bowl loss, are defensive back Daniel Harris, running back Roderick Robinson, defensive lineman Jordan Thomas, offensive linemen Nyier Daniels and Bo Hughley, linebacker Kris Jones, cornerback Ondre Evans, tight end Pearce Sprulin III, and safety Jaden Harris.
The highest-profile announcement came on Wednesday, when five-star safety Joenel Aguero said he would enter the portal after two seasons with the Bulldogs. CBS Sports’ national college football senior reporter Matt Zenitz initially broke the news on social media, and the incoming junior confirmed this hours later.
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Aguero, who came up with 39 tackles and an interception in the 2025 season, started in all but two games for Georgia at the STAR (nickelback) position, but was sidelined in the SEC Championship game and the CFP quarterfinals due to a hand injury.
Aguero’s injury allowed freshman Rasean Dinkins to step into the role and play well in his place, recording five tackles (three solo and two assisted) in those two games.
The former five-star DB may have sensed that his days were numbered following Dinkins’ emergence, which could have led to his decision to test the transfer portal and possibly find a new team that would fully utilize his talent next season.
Without Aguero, the Bulldogs’ defense allowed 473 total yards to Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl, including 362 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss put up a passing clinic that caught Georgia’s safeties and corners flat-footed and lost, especially in the second half, where Ole Miss outscored Georgia 27-13 en route to a 39-34 victory, giving the Rebels a ticket to the CFB semifinals.
The St. John’s Prep standout, who chose Georgia over programs such as Florida, Miami, Ohio State, and Alabama, was the 37th-best player in the country and the third-best safety in the 2023 recruiting class. He showed tremendous improvement during the 2025 season and was a crucial part of the Bulldogs’ defense.
Aguero held his own against the SEC’s top receivers and stood out as a solid defensive player for Smart’s men.
The transfer portal has been tough for Georgia so far, but the Bulldogs will still have more than a week to make their move and secure valuable acquisitions that could solidify their team for the 2026 season.
