Georgia Bulldog Stuns the College Football World, Named 2025 Preseason First-Team All-American
ATHENS, Ga. — In a stunning but well-earned moment that has electrified the college football world, Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Khalil “KJ” Bennett has been named to the 2025 Preseason First-Team All-American list, an honor that solidifies his place as one of the most feared defenders in the nation — and puts the rest of the SEC on notice.
Bennett, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound junior from Warner Robins, Georgia, was widely seen as a rising star entering the 2024 season. But few could have predicted just how dominant he would become in such a short time. After leading the Bulldogs in tackles (117), sacks (9.5), and tackles for loss (16), his ferocious style of play and elite football IQ made him a nightmare for opposing offenses. Now, with a national spotlight on him heading into 2025, Bennett is more than just a star — he’s a symbol of Georgia’s new era of defensive dominance.
“It’s humbling, honestly,” Bennett said in an emotional interview with ESPN’s Marty Smith. “I grew up watching legends wear the red and black. To be mentioned in the same breath as guys like Roquan Smith and Nakobe Dean — that’s a dream come true. But I’m not done. We’re not done.”
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, himself a former Bulldog safety, was beaming with pride when the announcement was made. “KJ is what Georgia football is all about — toughness, leadership, accountability,” Smart said. “He sets the tone in the locker room and on the field. He earned this, and he’s going to keep getting better.”
The preseason All-American nod comes at a time when Georgia is poised to reclaim its hold atop the college football mountain. After a playoff semifinal exit in 2024, the Bulldogs return a loaded roster featuring rising quarterback Eli Stockton, All-SEC running back Treyvon Marks, and a top-five recruiting class. But it’s Bennett’s presence — both on the field and in the locker room — that many analysts believe will be the X-factor in Georgia’s 2025 title hunt.
“He’s a coach’s dream,” said former NFL linebacker and SEC Network analyst Patrick Willis. “Fast, physical, and instinctive. He could step onto an NFL field tomorrow and make plays.”
Bennett has also drawn the attention of scouts, with ESPN’s Matt Miller projecting him as a mid-to-late first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. But for now, the only thing on Bennett’s mind is the fall opener against Clemson and bringing a national title back to Athens.
As the crowd at Sanford Stadium roars “Glory, Glory,” and the Redcoat Band strikes up “Hail to Georgia,” one thing is clear: KJ Bennett isn’t just part of the next chapter in Bulldogs football — he may very well be the author of its next championship run.
And with his name etched onto the preseason All-American list, the legend of KJ Bennett is only beginning.
