Starting defensive back Joenel Aguero announces plans to enter the transfer portal

ATHENS — Georgia has suffered its first significant loss to the transfer portal, with safety Joenel Aguero announcing his plans to enter the transfer portal.

Aguero will have one season of eligibility remaining at his next school. He is from Lynn, Massachusetts.

BREAKING: Georgia starting safety Joenel Aguero is entering the @TransferPortal, he tells @On3Sports

The 6’0 205 S totaled 80 tackles, 7 PBU, and 1 INT over 3 seasons

Will have 1 year of eligibility lefthttps://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/Kv1wES4kzR
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 7, 2026

Georgia signed Aguero as a member of the 2023 recruiting class.

Aguero appeared in 35 games over his three seasons in Athens, making 17 starts in that span.

Georgia used Aguero in its star role this season, where he started the first 12 games of the season for the Bulldogs. He picked up 39 tackles and had three pass breakups. He came down with his first career interception in Georgia’s 44-41 win over Tennessee.

Aguero missed the final two games of the regular season with a wrist injury. That allowed Rasean Dinkins to fill in for Aguero. A freshman from Warner Robins, Dinkins quickly earned praise from Kirby Smart for how he filled in for Aguero.

Georgia already had made an addition at defensive back via the transfer portal, adding Clemson transfer Khalil Barnes. He was a three-year starter for the Tigers and will have one season of eligibility remaining.

In three seasons at Clemson, Barnes notched 139 tackles, seven interceptions and 6.5 tackles for loss.

Georgia will see safety JaCorey Thomas move on to the NFL after this season. The Bulldogs also saw safety Kyron Jones miss the final eight games of the 2025 season because a foot injury.

The Bulldogs bring back sophomore safety KJ Bolden. Georgia signed six defensive backs as a part of the 2026 recruiting cycle, with Jordan Smith, Zech Fort and Blake Stewart projecting as safeties.

Players have until Jan. 16 to enter the transfer portal.

Georgia football transfer portal moves

Defensive back Daniel Harris — entered transfer portal
Tight end Pearce Spurlin — entered transfer portal
Running back Roderick Robinson — entered transfer portal
Defensive lineman Jordan Thomas — transferred to South Carolina
Offensive lineman Nyier Daniels — entered transfer portal
Defensive back Jaden Harris — transferred to Kansas
Outside linebacker Kris Jones — entered transfer portal
Offensive tackle Bo Hughley — entered transfer portal
Defensive back Joenel Aguero — entered transfer portal
Clemson safety Khalil Barnes — transferred to Georgia

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