10 Best Football Colleges in Georgia in 2024

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Explore the top 10 best football colleges in Georgia in 2023. This comprehensive guide features the finest institutions for football education and training. Discover the perfect college to shape your football career at the best football colleges in Georgia.

Whether you’re an aspiring player or seeking a career in coaching, these colleges offer exceptional programs, state-of-the-art facilities, and a competitive football environment. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of the thriving football scene in Georgia.

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Choosing the right college for your football career is one important choice every student-athlete must make. We understand that the selection process could be daunting as there are numerous football colleges in Georgia.

Georgia has some of the best football colleges in the United States, known for their academic achievement, beautiful campuses, and state-of-the-art sporting facilities.

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This article will provide relevant information about the top football colleges in Georgia in 2023.

Does Georgia Have Football Colleges?

Football is one of the most popular sports in the state of Georgia. It is governed by the Georgian Football Federation (GFF).

Georgia has some of the best football colleges ranking among the top colleges and universities in the world.

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Georgia State University, the University of Georgia, Valdosta State University, and Georgia Southern University are some of the top football colleges in Georgia.

Also read, 10 Best Football Colleges in Illinois

How Many College Football Teams Are in Georgia?

Georgia is one of those states in the United States that loves a good football game. Although there are 7 football programs in Georgia, there are 23 active college football teams.

These football teams are outstanding in the field of play and are the pride and joy of their prospective colleges.

Here’s a list of some of the college football teams in Georgia.

  • Albany State Golden Rams 
  • Bluefield State Big Blues 
  • Clark Atlanta Panthers 
  • Clemon Tigers
  • Georgia Bulldogs 
  • Georgia Pre-Flight Skycrackers 
  • Morris Brown Wolverines 
  • Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels 

Does Georgia Have Ivy League Schools?

Ivy League schools are considered some of the most prestigious institutions and ranked among the best universities worldwide.

These eight (8) prestigious institutions in the United States are Brown University, Harvard University, Cornell University, Princeton University, Dartmouth University, Yale University, Columbia University, and the University of Pennsylvania.

However, none of the famous Ivy League schools are situated in Georgia. Regardless, Georgia has some of the top-ranking universities sought after in the United States and worldwide.

Some of the Top colleges and universities in the state of Georgia are;

  • Emory University, Atlanta, GA 
  • Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
  • University of Georgia, Athens, GA
  • Mercer University, Macon, GA
  • the Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
  • Spelman College, Atlanta, GA
  • Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA
  • Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA
  • Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, GA
  • Wesleyan College, Macon, GA

What are the Best Football Colleges in Georgia?

With all the options made available in choices of football colleges and universities, it can be tough to make the right decision.

Student-athletes take pride in selecting colleges that value the game of football and their academic life.

If you are looking for the best colleges and universities for football in Georgia, look no further! In no particular order, here are the best football colleges in Georgia.

#1. University of Georgia

Home to the Georgia Bulldogs, the University of Georgia, located in Athens, Georgia, boasts one of the country’s most popular and successful college football programs. 

The University of Georgia claims two (2) national and 14 conference championships. As members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the Bulldogs compete against major rivals like the Florida Gators, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, and the Auburn Tigers.

The tradition shows the school’s strong football culture in which first-year students must learn the “Call the Dawgs” team cheer during orientation before being allowed to eat at the school’s dining hall.

The Bulldogs’ uniforms hold the university’s official colors, red and black, on both home and away uniforms. The university’s costume mascot is Hairy Dawg, and the live mascot is an English bulldog named Uga.

All the school’s home games are played at Sanford Stadium on campus in Athens. This is the tenth-largest stadium in the NCAA and can seat nearly 95,000 fans. 

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#2 Georgia State University 

Founded in 1913, the University is one of the University System of Georgia’s four leading research universities. It is also the largest institution of higher learning based on student enrollment in Atlanta, Georgia. 

With a GPA of 3.49, prospective students stand a chance of getting into the university. The Panthers are the football team of the institution. 

The Panthers football team, founded in 2010, competes at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The team is also a member of the Sun Belt Conference.

Georgia University charges a fee to each student that enrolls at the school. This fee is used for athletic scholarships and other costs associated with competitive sports.

The official colors are blue and white, and the mascot’s name is Pounce, the blue Panther.

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#3 Albany State University

This historically black public university was established in 1903 in Albany, Georgia. However, In 2017, Darton State College and Albany State University merged to become one university under the University System of Georgia (USG).

The Golden Rams college football team represents the Albany State University (ASU) in American football. Also, the Golden Rams compete in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the East Division of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). 

The Golden Rams play their home games at Albany State University Coliseum stadium. Famous rapper Rick Ross played briefly for the Golden Rams during the mid-1990s. The official uniform colors are royal gold and blue.

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#4 Georgia Southern University (GSU)

Established on December 1, 1906, Georgia Southern University are the fifth largest institution in the University System of Georgia and the largest center of higher education in the Southern half of Georgia.

The university’s athletic team is known as the Eagles. The Eagles currently compete in NCAA Division I FBS as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The football team has won six (6) NCAA Division I-AA national championships.

The official school colors are blue and white, and the school’s mascot is known as GUS the Eagle. The Allen E. Paulson stadium, which holds a 10,000 seating capacity, is the football stadium for the Eagles.

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#5 Mercer University 

Ranking as one of the best national universities based on academic quality by the U.S. News & World Report, Mercer University also serves as the oldest private university in Georgia and enrolls more than 9,000 students.

Mercer University’s athletic team, known as the Bears, is at the NCAA Division I level. The Bears played its first game in 72 years on August 31, 2013; the team defeated Reinhardt University at the Tony and Nancy Moye Football and Lacrosse Complex.

The Bears finished the 2013 season undefeated at home with a 10–2 win-loss record setting an NCAA Division I record for wins (10) by a start-up football program.

Mercer University has had eight home wins. Also, an NCAA Division I record tied the same year (2013) by Auburn University, the FBS national runner-up.

Some notable alumni include former Governor of Georgia Nathan Deal, the Chief Justice of Georgia, and the President of the State Bar of Georgia.

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#6 Georgia Institute of Technology 

Home to the Yellow Jackets, Georgia Institute of Technology, informally known as Georgia Tech, is one of the best universities in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.

The school was founded in 1885 as the Georgia School of Technology as part of Reconstruction plans to build an industrial economy in the post-Civil War Southern United States.

The school’s mascots are Buzz and the Ramblin’ Wreck. The Institute’s traditional football rival is the University of Georgia; the rivalry is considered one of the fiercest in college football. The rivalry is commonly referred to as Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate.

The Yellow Jackets compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). 

Georgia Tech has fielded a football team since 1892, and they play in Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field in Atlanta, which has a capacity of 55,000.

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#7 Savannah State University 

Savannah State University, established in 1890, is the oldest historically black public university in the state and

The football team known as the Tigers represents Savannah State University in college football programs. The Tigers are members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).

Football, is most popular traditional sport at Savannah State.

Home games are played at Ted A. Wright Stadium in Savannah, Georgia, United States.

The Tigers hold 4 Southeastern Athletic Conference titles. Burnt orange and reflex blue are the team’s official colors Some notable players include Steven Aycock, Eric Brown, Tahj Mowry, and Shannon Sharpe.

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#8 Kennesaw State University 

This university creates a balance in the academic life of student-athletes.

Kennesaw State University (KSU) is a part of the University System of Georgia and is appraised among the Doctoral Universities for its high research activity.

The Owls are the football team that represents the university in college football. The team began to play in 2015 as a member of the Big South Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision level. 

The head coach of the Owls is Brian Bohannon, and they play at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia. The official colors are black and gold, and Scrappy, the Owl is the mascot. The University has several awards for its name.

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#9 Berry College

Berry College is nationally recognized for its academic excellence, this shows that students enrolling at this college will have an excellent academic year.

The Vikings are the athletic team of the college. The college is a member of the Division III level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) as a founding member since the 2012–13 academic year. 

Berry College has won three (3) NAIA national championships in women’s soccer. The college’s mascot is Victor the Viking, and the official colors are blue and silver.

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#10 Clemson University 

Founded in 1889, Clemson University is the second-largest university in terms of the student population in South Carolina.

The Clemson Tigers are the sports team representing the university in Clemson, South Carolina. The Tigers compete as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level (Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) sub-level for football), predominantly competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) for all sports since the 1953–54 season. 

Clemson Tigers have won multiple NCAA Division I national championships in various sports, including minor league ACC football, men’s soccer, and men’s golf.

The South Carolina Gamecocks are Clemson’s in-state athletic rival. The two schools compete against each other in many sports, but the annual football game receives the most attention. Clemson’s main rivals within the Atlantic Coast conferences are Georgia Tech and Florida State.

Clemson Tigers has won three (3) Division I Football National Championships, in 1981, 2016, and 2018. The official colors are Clemson orange and regalia.

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What are the Division 1 (d1) Football Colleges in Georgia?

The Division 1 football colleges fall under the category of colleges that play in the highest level of intercollegiate athletics, which is governed and sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

The state of Georgia has eight (8) major football colleges which are classified as D1 schools.

University of Georgia

  • Location: Athens
  • Team: Georgia Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs
  • Conference: SEC

Georgia Southern University

  • Location: Statesboro
  • Team: Georgia Southern Eagles
  • Conference: Sun Belt

Georgia State University

  • Location: Atlanta
  • Team: Georgia State Panthers
  • Conference: Sun Belt

The Georgia Institute of Technology

  • Location: Atlanta
  • Team: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
  • Conference: ACC

Kennesaw State University

  • Location: Kennesaw
  • Team: Kennesaw State Owls and Lady Owls
  • Conference: Atlantic Sun

Mercer University

  • Location: Macon
  • Team: Mercer Bears 
  • Conference: Southern 

For Further Reading, check: 10 Best Football Colleges in South Carolina

What are the Division 2 (d2) Football Colleges in Georgia?

Division 2 (d2) football colleges are intermediate-level divisions because the sports programs are not as competitive as those in Division 1.

Unlike the football colleges in Division 3 (d3), D2 football colleges offer athletic scholarship programs. Georgia is home to 16 of the 302 Division 2 colleges and universities.

Here’s a list of some of the D2 football colleges in Georgia.

Albany State University

  • Team: Albany States Golden Rams
  • Location: Albany

Columbus State University

  • Team: Columbus State Cougars
  • Location: Columbus

Georgia College and State University

  • Team: Georgia College Bobcats
  • Location: Milledgeville

Morehouse College 

  • Team: Morehouse Maroon Tigers
  • Location: Atlanta

Savannah State University

  • Team: Savannah State Tigers and Lady Tigers
  • Location: Savannah

Valdosta State University

  • Team: Valdosta State Blazers
  • Location: Valdosta

What are the Division 3 Football Colleges in Georgia?

Division 3 (d3) football colleges are the smallest and have limited resources for their athletic teams. Despite being the smallest division, D3 is the largest division in terms of the number of schools and student-athletes that fall under this category.

Note that In Division 3, there are no athletic scholarships. Sports teams have shorter practice times and season plays than they do in Divisions 1 and 2.

Arranged alphabetically are the D3 football colleges in Georgia

  • Agnes Scott College, Decatur 
  • Berry College, Mount Berry
  • Covenant College, Lookout Mountain
  • Emory University, Atlanta
  • LaGrange College, LaGrange 
  • Oglethorpe University, Atlanta 
  • Piedmont College, Demorest
  • Wesleyan College, Macon

You would also find these helpful: 10 Best Football Colleges in Ohio

What are the Best Junior Colleges for Football in Georgia?

Junior colleges are institutes that offer courses for two years beyond high school. These colleges give an insight into what senior colleges and universities are about. 

The state of Georgia has some of the best junior football colleges, and they are;

  • Albany Technical College, Albany, GA
  • Andrew College, Cuthbert, GA
  • East Georgia State College, Swainsboro, GA
  • Georgia Highlands College, Rome, GA
  • Georgia Military College, Milledgeville, GA
  • Gordon College, Barnesville, GA
  • Oxford College of Emory University, Oxford, GA 
  • South Georgia State College, Douglas, GA
  • South Crescent Technical College, Griffin, GA
  • West Georgia Technical College, Waco, GA

Also Read: 10 Best Football Colleges in California

How to Join a Football Club in Georgia

The dream of most young athletes is to belong to a professional football club and write their names in its history. The sad reality is not everyone will achieve this lifelong dream.

However, there’s no harm in making attempts, especially following the pathway of established footballers in Georgia.

Here are five (5) ways to help you successfully join a football club in Georgia.

This will also interest you: 10 Best Football Colleges in Texas

Get Scouted

This is possibly the most common method of joining a football club in Georgia. Football scouts observe young athletes at tournaments, open day trials, academies, and local teams to gather the necessary information to help the football team that employs them. 

As a young athlete, the task of making yourself seen depends heavily on you, as being scouted gives you an instant ticket into a football club.

How can you get scouted? Enroll at a football academy in Georgia, join a local team, attend a football college, or continuously upload a video of yourself displaying your football skills on all social media platforms. By doing such, you are certain to get seen by scouts.

Also Read: 10 Best Football Colleges in the UK

Apply to a Georgia Football Trials Camp

Georgia football trial camps are organized with the alliance of the Premier leagues and Division 2 (d2) clubs. It serves as an avenue for young talented players between the ages of 18 – 23 years, to come to showcase their football talents.

This is one occasional opportunity that young players should not take for granted as football clubs, managers, scouts, and coaches come to watch players during training sessions and trial matches.

While attending, players should come with a video of them displaying their skills and a CV. This grants them an opportunity to be selected by top football clubs in Georgia.

Read More: 10 Best Football Colleges in Florida | All You Need to Know

Get a Football Agent in Georgia

The work of a football agent is to serve as a representative and an intermediary who handles the interests of a player or multiple players. 

Also, the agent’s responsibilities span from negotiating contracts with football clubs to achieving the best possible outcome for their client and securing lucrative endorsement and sponsorship deals.

Some notable agents in Georgia include; 

  • Dr. Kendall McKnight: Atlanta, GA
  • Darius Robinson: Atlanta, GA
  • Craig Stanley: Dublin, GA

Join a Football Academy 

Football academies are essential in your journey toward becoming a professional footballer in Georgia. These academies help develop young players by providing professional training, facilities, and experts dedicated to a player’s career progress. 

Also, football academies offer both skill development and academic training to help groom players. Most top clubs have their football academies dispersed around the state of Georgia.

Some of the best football academies in Georgia include; Elite Talent Football Academy, Georgia Football Academy, Rare Air Football Academy, and Cornerstone Soccer Academy.

This is also helpful: 10 Best Football Colleges in New York.

Apply directly to the Football club 

It takes a stupendous level of confidence to apply directly to any football club in Georgia. This is one risk many athletes should try, as you never can tell; luck may be on your side.

Applying to a football club will entail visiting the club’s website, emailing them, and filling out application forms. Also, you can upload videos on social media pages and tag these clubs to get their attention.

Also Read: 10 Best Football Colleges in Virginia

Conclusion 

The whole college experience is pivotal in shaping a student’s career path. Any student passionate about football and developing their skills will greatly benefit from attending good football colleges.

We have researched and provided data on the best football colleges in Georgia in 2023, with the motive that our readers will make the right choice with the available options.

Another Interesting Read: 10 Best Football Colleges in Colorado

Frequently Asked Questions 

How many Division 1 (d1) college football teams are in Georgia

There are eight (8) college football team’s at Division 1 level in Georgia.

Is Emory University an Ivy League School?

The simple answer is no. Although Emory University is ranked amongst the best universities in Georgia and the United States, it is not a member of the Ivy League.

What GPA is required for Mercer University?

A 3.86 GPA is the requirement for Mercer University admission.

Does D3 Football college offer scholarships?

Unlike D1 and D2 colleges, D3 football colleges do not offer scholarships to their students.

Reference

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