<
>

Georgia CB Julian Humphrey to enter transfer portal

play
Georgia prevails in instant classic after 8OT marathon (5:26)

Georgia overcomes Georgia Tech in college football's 2nd-most number of overtimes played, beating the Yellow Jackets 44-42 in 8OT. (5:26)

Georgia cornerback Julian Humphrey, who started the Bulldogs' first 10 games this season, announced on social media Sunday that he plans to enter the transfer portal.

The third-year sophomore will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Humphrey's announcement, which he made in a statement on his X account, comes six days before No. 5 Georgia plays No. 2 Texas in the SEC championship game.

"First and foremost, I would like to thank the man above for everything he has done for me, and I will forever be grateful for everything," Humphrey wrote on X. "I also wanted to say thank you to all of the loyal U. GA fans along the way. With that being said, after careful consideration, I will be entering my name in the portal."

When Georgia coach Kirby Smart was asked about Humphrey's status during a teleconference on Sunday, he seemed to indicate that Humphrey wouldn't play against the Longhorns.

"No status that I'm aware of," Smart said. "I saw the same thing you saw. We're worried about the guys we're going to play Texas with."

Smart said he hadn't talked to Humphrey about his statement on X.

"I'm not dealing with it," Smart said. "I'm worried about my team. I've learned in this thing that you worry about the players that are with you, not the ones that aren't. You focus on the guys that are out there on that field playing it and trying to win games in eight overtimes, that love the University of Georgia and want to compete and be part of it.

"You don't really try to focus on the guys that aren't because they'll be looking for the next stop. We've got guys all over the place that aren't here now that wish they could come back. It's a decision each kid has to make."

Humphrey, from Webster, Texas, was a mainstay in Georgia's secondary until losing his starting job to sophomore Daniel Harris against UMass two weeks ago. Humphrey didn't play in the Bulldogs' 44-42 victory in eight overtimes against Georgia Tech on Friday night.

Humphrey was ranked the No. 19 cornerback nationally by ESPN Recruiting in 2022. He nearly entered the transfer portal after the 2023 season before opting to return to Georgia.

Humphrey had 10 tackles and four pass breakups this season. Humphrey has struggled in coverage at times; he was on the wrong end of Alabama receiver Ryan Williams' 75-yard touchdown catch with 2:18 left to play in the Crimson Tide's 41-34 win on Sept. 28.

The transfer portal opens Dec. 9.