Georgia Bulldogs junior punter Noah Jones has entered the NCAA transfer portal, signaling the end of his time with the program. Jones made the announcement through social media, expressing gratitude to the coaching staff and the University of Georgia for his past four years. He thanked head coach Kirby Smart, special teams coordinator Scott Cochran, and other staff members for the opportunities provided during his tenure. Despite having spent multiple seasons with the team, Jones never saw significant game action, with his most notable opportunity coming during the 2023 Sugar Bowl.
Jones, who enrolled at Georgia in 2021, spent much of his time as a practice squad player, participating in the G-Day spring scrimmages and other team activities but never breaking into the regular-season lineup. His potential chance to compete came after starting punter Brett Thorson suffered a knee injury during the SEC Championship game, which opened the door for a competition at the punter position. However, with Thorson returning for the 2025 season, Jones’ path to becoming Georgia’s starting punter was further blocked.
Despite this, Jones’ decision to enter the transfer portal allows him the opportunity to seek playing time elsewhere, where he may have a clearer shot at earning a starting role. With one year of eligibility remaining, Jones will likely field interest from programs looking for a punter with experience in a competitive environment, even if he hasn’t seen much action in games. His decision to leave Georgia comes as no surprise given the crowded competition at the punter position, especially with Thorson’s return and the high expectations for Georgia’s special teams moving forward.
This development is another example of the growing trend of players seeking opportunities to find more playing time elsewhere, as the transfer portal continues to reshape college football rosters. For Georgia, the focus will now shift to maintaining the consistency of their special teams, especially with Thorson expected to be back for the upcoming season.
