Georgia OL Austin Blaske, OLB C.J. Madden enter transfer portal
The number of Georgia players to enter the transfer portal since the end of the regular season is no up to six. Five have entered on Monday with the additions of offensive lineman Austin Blaske and outside linebacker C.J. Madden.
Blaske was with Georgia for both of it’s National Championships in 2021 and 2022 after signing as a member of the 2020 class. He has worked at all five positions on the offensive line at UGA and went through spring of 2023 in contention for the starting job at left tackle. He experienced and illness during preseason camp and an MCL injury early in the season and he took a redshirt for the 2023 season. He will have two years to play two.
“Dawg Nation, I have been given so many blessings both as a student and athlete during my time at UGA,” Blaske said in a statement released via social media. “My experiences on and off the field have transformed me in way I could never have imagined when I stepped on campus four years ago. I recognize and appreciate all that has been poured into me by coaches and staff to help me grow and ultimately, allow me to accomplish all I can at UGA. I could not have asked for better teammates, and I have made friendships that will last the rest of my life. With that being said, I have decided to enter my name into the transfer portal with two hears of eligibility.”
Madden was present for Georgia’s 2022 National Championship as a true freshman. He appeared in one game. He appeared in seven games during the 2023 season and registered three total tackles. The Cedar Grove High School product exits UGA with three years to play three.
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More on the transfer portal…
The NCAA student-athlete transfer portal launched in 2018. It marked a change from when student-athletes had to get a release from one school to transfer to another and they could be limited as to where they transferred. The portal allows student-athletes to simply notify their current school and its compliance department that they intend to move on to another program. Entering the transfer portal does not mean a prospect has to transfer, it just means they can be recruited by other programs and take visits. Georgia has had players enter the portal in the past and elect to return.
Since its implementation, Georgia has added several notable prospects. That list includes Lawrence Cager (Miami), Eli Wolf (Tennessee), Derion Kendrick (Clemson), Tykee Smith (West Virginia), Rara Thomas (Mississippi State) and Dominic Lovett (Missouri). The Bulldogs have had years when they’ve been active in the portal, attempting to take as many as four prospects before the 2021 season. They have also had seasons like 2022 when they didn’t take a single player and went on to go 15-0, winning the National Championship for a second straight season.
Portal needs for Georgia in the current class include defensive line and wide receiver, where it is expected to land multiple players at each position. The Bulldogs could also be in the market at running back, outside linebacker, offensive tackle, or safety. If a player wants to transfer from SEC school to SEC school, he must do so by January 2 when the current window closes. There is another window that will open in the spring but, at that point, a player must transfer in from outside the conference.
