Georgia under pressure up front after losing Xzavier McLeod

Xzavier McLeod. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Georgia under pressure up front after losing defensive starter Xzavier McLeod

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Aug 31, 2026 6:39 PM ET

The Georgia Bulldogs are moving forward without defensive lineman Xzavier McLeod.

Reports confirmed on Monday that McLeod is no longer with the team as Kirby Smart and his crew prepare for a Week 1 game against Tennessee State.

This comes a few days after McLeod, the 6-foot-4, 315-pound defensive lineman, said he was done with football and considered himself retired.

Per McLeod himself, this had nothing to do with anyone at Georgia, especially on the coaching staff. This was more of a personal decision.

"Had some issues not with coaching, just thought it was time," McLeod had said, according to 247Sports. "[Time] to move away from college football."

BREAKING: Georgia defensive tackle Xzavier McLeod no longer with program https://t.co/KLF1WU4y3a
— Dawgs247 (@Dawgs247) August 31, 2026

This is a big loss for Georgia. There's really no other way to put it.

Georgia Bulldogs will struggle to replace Xzavier McLeod

Not only is McLeod a big dude, but he appeared in 14 games last season for the Bulldogs, starting six.

In those 14 games, he notched 17 tackles, six quarterback hurries and two pass breakups.

He was heading into his third season at UGA after coming into the program as a four-star recruit as part of Smart's 2023 recruiting class.

You don't just easily replace that kind of size and institutional knowledge, especially a few days before the season kicks off.

This will absolutely put more pressure on 6-foot-4, 320-pound senior defensive lineman Jordan Hall, who just so happens to be coming off a season-ending knee injury.

"We love him. Looking forward to seeing what happens," defensive line coach Tray Scott had said of McLeod in August, per 247Sports. "So it's hard to find big guys that can move, as you guys know that."

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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