There is no denying Georgia’s defense is littered with talent. In fact, most feel it is the headlining side of the football heading into the 2026 campaign.

Georgia returns the majority of its overall production from 2025, including multiple starters at each level. However, fans are not the only ones taking notice of just how good this defense is setting up to be.

As the national media begin unveiling their preseason All-America teams, plenty of Bulldogs have accolades. Both ESPN and On3 announced their All-America teams, featuring five different Georgia players. Four play on the defensive side of the ball, with center Drew Bobo being the only offensive player listed.

Bobo earned first-team honors on ESPN and a third-team nod on On3.

Safety KJ Bolden was a first-team selection for both publications. Bolden has emerged as one of Georgia’s top defenders and now enters Year 3 making strides at growing as a leader too.

“That’s one of the things that he’s really working on, being able to lead and not just by example,” co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Travaris Robinson said. “Sometimes he’s got to say something, and I think that’s something that he’s getting comfortable doing from a strength standpoint.”

As to what makes him stand out so much to earn first-team honors, On3’s Chris Low wrote:

“Bolden was a five-star prospect coming out of high school, and he’s played that way since arriving in Athens — another in a long line of elite safeties under Kirby Smart at Georgia. After earning Freshman All-America honors in 2024, Bolden became a fixture for the Bulldogs on defense last season. In 725 snaps, Bolden missed just four tackles and also showed excellent coverage skills with two interceptions and five pass breakups. He’ll make an even bigger jump in his second full season as a starter.”

While Bolden was the only defender on ESPN’s list, he was joined by fellow corner Ellis Robinson IV and linebackers Raylen Wilson and Chris Cole over at On3.

Robinson and Wilson each earned second-team honors, while Cole took home a third-team selection.

Robinson settled into being a lockdown defender in 2025. Robinson appeared in all 14 games and recorded 20 total tackles, a team-high four interceptions, and seven pass breakups.

Wilson and Cole headline the linebacker room, which possibly is the deepest position unit on the defense. Wilson returns as the unanimous defensive leader, looking to fill the shoes left by now-Indianapolis Colts CJ Allen. He led all linebackers with 74 tackles and tallied 2.5 sacks.

Cole had a team-high with 4.5 sacks in 2025, but enters his junior year looking to improve as a pass rusher. Through two weeks of fall camp, Cole has emerged as one of the most consistent standouts on the defense, which is no surprise to UGA coach Kirby Smart.

“There’s not a higher character player on our team than Chris Cole,” Smart said. “This guy is the hardest worker; he hits the highest speeds; he plays with the most energy and enthusiasm.”

Georgia opens the season on Sept. 5 when it takes on Tennessee State. Expect Bolden, Bobo, Robinson, Wilson and Cole to all have significant impacts on this team.