Not even Georgia is exempt from the woes of the transfer portal era in college football and former Bulldogs quarterback Aaron Murray is freaking out! He cannot believe the amount of five-star players that left the program over the last few weeks.

Murray, who played in Athens from 2009-2013, passed Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, and Matthew Stafford to become the Southeastern Conference’s all-time passing touchdown and career passing yards leader. The 33-year-old still holds each of those records today.

Although Murray did not play when the transfer portal or NIL existed, he is sounding the alarm. As of Friday afternoon, 17 different players had left the Georgia football program to seek opportunity elsewhere.

Among the most recent players to leave are former blue-chip recruits Jamon Dumas-Johnson and A.J. Harris. Former five-star quarterback Brock Vandagriff already announced that he is headed to Kentucky. Defensive lineman Jonathan Jefferson is off to SMU. Offensive tackle Austin Blaske is UNC-bound.

This is not the end, either. More players are going to hit the portal all across the country over the next few weeks as bowl season comes to a close. The Bulldogs will certainly see more departures.

Murray has thoughts.

He posted the following message on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Idk if I have seen this many 5 ⭐️ leave a program before. What is the world is happening in Athens? These top recruits not liking all the competition?”

There are likely a lot of factors at play here.

Playing time, or “competition” as Murray puts it, is one of them. Name, Image and Likeness funds are another.

While the former Georgia signal-caller’s thoughts are valid, he better soon come to grips with the new reality! This is the new era of college football. Players are going to leave their current programs when there is more money or a greater opportunity to get on the field right away at another school.

Not even Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs can escape the exodus.