ATHENS — The Super Bowl-lift Georgia fans were provided by the ‘PhillyDawgs’ may be fleeting, but it has left a healthy reminder of the greatness of Kirby Smart.

Smart identified, recruited and developed those six former Bulldogs that helped lead the Philadelphia Eagles to the pinnacle of football last Sunday night in Super Bowl LIX.

Jordan Davis, Nolan Smith, Jalen Carter and Kelee Ringo all played significant roles in the win over Kansas City, and one healthy and plugged in, Nakobe Dean and Lewis Cine figure to help the Eagles fly high into the future.

The break-out rookie seasons of Brock Bowers, Ladd McConkey, Kamari Lassiter and Tykee Smith were equally as impressive, even if their teams did not hold up the big trophy.

So now Georgia fans might wonder, looking forward, who might be the next Bulldogs’ team leaders to emerge in 2025, and perhaps one day lead NFL teams to Super Bowl greatness?

Of course, talents like Carter and Bowers are generational, and the sort of growth and development that led to Davis’ and McConkey’s stardom is rare.

But Smart has built a championship culture that has withstood the test of free agency and the unintended pitfalls of NIL monies.

The nucleus returning from the 2024 team has, no doubt, bonded from the resiliency it took to overcome distractions, attrition and a historically challenging schedule to win the SEC championship.

Here are some players who could emerge into the sort of greatness that was on display in Super LIX and the UGA NFL rookie class

RETURNING CAPTAINS

Middle linebacker CJ Allen is a future NFL starter who will be a third-year starter and is one of four returning players who served as a team captain last season.

Beyond that, Allen has the profile of a team leader who understands the importance of setting the right example on and off the field.

Running back Cash Jones is the closest thing to Ladd McConkey you’ll find, an under-recruited 2-star out of Texas (1,795 player rank) who found his way to Georgia and put his head down and worked.

Jones’ pass-catching and open-field running makes up for his lack of size and gives UGA a unique weapon. Beyond that, Jones is popular among teammates and one of the hardest workers, twice selected a team captain last season.

Offensive tackle Earnest Greene III is a bonafide talent who played through injuries last season, so once healthy, he figures to reach his ceiling and become a prized NFL pick.

First things first, Greene will be counted on to help lead the O-Line room and help restore the Georgia offensive line to the standard fans are accustomed to seeing.

Receiver Dillon Bell is ready to take on the world, per outgoing teammate Arian Smith, who acknowledged the talented dual-threat receiver-back is intent on coming back strong from an inconsistent 2024 season.

Bell’s hunger and drive will help lead a receivers room that will be as focused as any position group in this offseason.

Returning captains are a sure thing in the leadership department, but this team will need several leaders to be at its best for what promises to be another challenging season.

Here are some other talented players who have proven capable of working and performing well-above the curve.

Both of the leading candidates to win the quarterback job, Gunner Stockton and Ryan Puglisi, are strong character leaders who will show the way regardless of who ends up No. 1 or No. 2, making this position a bigger strength than a first-glance look from the outside might indicate.

Among the others, some are apt to be more vocal than others, but each has the ability to lift the performances and inspire others around them:

DEFENSE

DL Christen Miller

CB Daylen Everette

LB Raylen Wilson

FS KJ Bolden

OFFENSE

RB Nate Frazier

OL Micah Morris

TE Lawson Luckie

TE Oscar Delp