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Transfer RB Josh McCray could help Georgia in specific role per Kirby Smart

On3 imageby: Jake Rowe05/14/25JakeMRowe
Josh McCray Georgia
Dec 31, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Josh McCray (6) runs out of the tunnel before the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

Georgia used the April 2025 transfer portal window to shore up its roster in multiple ways. The Bulldogs added depth at center with Waltclaire Flynn Jr. They also brought in a pair of guys to bolster the defensive front in outside linebacker Elo Modozie and defensive lineman Joshua Horton. UGA also brought in a big, bruising tailback in Josh McCray.

The senior ball carrier is from Enterprise, Alabama and spent the past four seasons at Illinois. McCray is expected to join the team sometime this month and when he does, Kirby Smart sees him helping in some specific ways.

“Talented kid from a great high school program,” Smart said on Wednesday at the Regions Tradition golf tournament in Hoover, Alabama on Wednesday. “Size, in a world of a lot of third and ones and fourth and ones in College Football with analytics people going for it, you need short yardage backs. We think he gives us the potential to do that.

McCray had a standout performance against South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl and that gained him a great deal of attention. With 13 carries for 114 yards and two scores, it was easily the best game of his season. It was not, however, the first 100-yard game of his career. Way back in 2021, when he was a freshman, McCray lit Penn State up for 142 yards on 24 carries and did something similar to Purdue.

For reasons not known, McCray decided to jump into the transfer portal at the end of spring and things moved quickly between him and Georgia. McCray quietly took a weekend visit a few days after the portal ended. He didn’t leave without signing.

McCray joins a rather deep Georgia running back room that checks off all the boxes. Nate Frazier, who led Georgia in rushing last season as a freshman, is projected lead tailback. Bo Walker and Chauncey Bowens also made moves this spring. UGA also has a trio of all-purpose/change-of-pace runners in Cash Jones, Dillon Bell, and Dwight Phillips.

Then there is Roderick Robinson who, at 6-feet 233 poounds, is very similar to McCray. Robinson has spent the better part of his first two seasons at Georgia banged up with a high-ankle sprain, turf toe (surgery) and a broken ankle (surgery). Robinson is reaching full health for the first time in 10 months and should team up with McCray to give the Bulldogs some size and power at the position.

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