Georgia’s defense continues to attract national attention as three Bulldogs earned spots on a top-100 college football list ahead of the season opener.
Safety KJ Bolden, defensive lineman Christen Miller, and linebacker CJ Allen were all ranked among the nation’s elite. Bolden sits at No. 80, Miller at No. 56, and Allen at No. 38, underscoring Georgia’s strengthened defensive backbone as it prepares to face Marshall in 10 days at 3:30 PM in Athens.
Bolden, who played in 14 games and started two as a freshman, is expected to lead Georgia’s secondary this season. With safeties Malaki Starks and Dan Jackson moving on to the NFL, Bolden is stepping into a pivotal role as the Bulldogs’ last line of defense. The sophomore made the SEC All-Freshman team after finishing fifth on the team with 59 tackles in 2024.
Miller’s ascent is the latest chapter in a long-term push to maximize his talent at the point of attack. After dealing with injuries in previous seasons, Miller flashed his potential in 2024. He is a 6-3, 310-pound presence who is tasked with anchoring the middle of the defensive front and producing consistently for a unit that aims to be formidable against both running and passing plays. In the Sugar Bowl CFP quarterfinal against Notre Dame, Miller posted five tackles, a pass breakup and one quarterback pressure, signaling he can be a game-changing factor when healthy.
Allen, often overshadowed by fellow inside linebackers in past seasons, is entering a breakout year. In 12 starts in 2024, he was second on the team with 76 tackles. He delivered big performances in Georgia’s biggest games, including eight tackles and an interception in a win over Florida and seven tackles with two interceptions in the SEC championship victory over Texas. Those moments illustrate his potential to drive the defense in high-leverage situations.
With the season’s first major test just over a week away, Georgia’s roster design continues to lean on high-end talent across all three levels. The upcoming matchup against Marshall offers an early glimpse at how Bolden, Miller, and Allen—and the defense as a whole—will adapt to leadership changes and continued growth from a loaded group of playmakers.
What to watch as the defending national contenders move forward:
– Bolden’s development as the primary communicator and leader of the secondary.
– Miller’s consistency in the interior and how his health translates to interior disruption.
– Allen’s continued progression as a playmaker and his impact in both run defense and pass coverage.
– The defense’s ability to maintain pressure and create turnovers in the opening game, setting the tone for the rest of the season.
Summary: Three Bulldogs broke into the top 100, highlighting Georgia’s strength on defense with Bolden, Miller, and Allen, as the team advances toward the Marshall game and beyond.
Potential angles for future coverage: how Bolden evolves as a secondary leader; Miller’s impact on the interior line and rotation; Allen’s role in the defense’s overall scheme; early-season defensive statistics and how they align with last year’s success; and projected NFL potential for the trio. If you’re drafting game-day content, consider profiles on each player’s journey, plus a reader-friendly explainer of what these rankings mean for Georgia’s season outlook.