Countdown to kickoff 2025 roster spotlight: No. 95 Nnamdi Ogboko

The Georgia Bulldogs are only 95 days away from launching their 2025 season under the lights at Sanford Stadium, with a season opener against the Marshall Thundering Herd on August 31. To mark the countdown to another highly anticipated year between the hedges, SicEm Dawgs is spotlighting No. 95, redshirt freshman defensive lineman Nnamdi Ogboko.

A year ago, Ogboko arrived in Athens as a powerful presence with raw talent. Over the past 12 months, he’s worked to mold himself into a contributor on the interior of Georgia’s defensive line. At 6-foot-4 and 340 pounds, the South Garner (N.C.) product is a true space-eater at the zero technique, and with the departure of veteran Nazir Stackhouse to the NFL and Jamal Jarrett’s transfer to USC, the door is now open for Ogboko to step into a bigger role.

Name to know going into the 2025 season. DL Nnamdi OgBoko 📈. #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/q61Fd3WVhf

— Dawg Muse 🏆 (@UGAFanatic0) February 1, 2025

While he appeared in only three games during the 2024 campaign—against Tennessee Tech, UMass, and Georgia Tech—preserving his redshirt, the year served as an essential period of growth and development. “I got around the guys, know the culture of Georgia, and what it means to put in hard work,” Ogboko said in a February interview with Anthony Dasher of UGASports. “It’s been great here.”

Ogboko understood from the beginning that patience would be key. His first year was less about making plays and more about learning the system, adjusting to the SEC’s speed, and embracing Georgia’s standard of excellence. He credits the environment and coaching staff for accelerating his development, particularly his work with defensive line coach Tray Scott.

The results are already showing. According to Ogboko, his footwork has taken significant strides forward, and he’s learning how to anchor against double teams while maintaining quick hands at the point of attack. With mentors like Stackhouse setting the standard before him, Ogboko took full advantage of the opportunity to observe and absorb.

Now, he’s ready to take the next step. As one of the few true nose tackles on the roster, Ogboko has the physical tools to be a difference-maker up front. But it’s the mental side—the discipline, consistency, and brotherhood within the defensive line room—that he says will carry him and the unit forward.

“We’re all brothers in here,” Ogboko said. “We’re going to continue to follow the standard of breaking the line here. We’re not going to let that fall down.”

With his foundation firmly set and a chance to carve out a significant role this fall, Georgia fans would be wise to keep an eye on No. 95 as the Bulldogs prepare for another title chase.