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Xzavier McLeod news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Georgia defensive lineman Xzavier McLeod left the team days before the season opener. He said he was "done with football" and later faced a trespassing arrest.
Background
Xzavier McLeod, a veteran defensive lineman who transferred from South Carolina, was a returning starter for Georgia. He had 30 tackles in 29 games for the Bulldogs. His sudden departure was confirmed by the team just days before their season opener against Tennessee State, prompting questions about the team's depth on the defensive line.
How it unfolded
- Aug 31, 2026Reports emerged that McLeod was no longer on the roster, with a social media post indicating he was "done with football" and "retired."
- Sep 1, 2026Georgia confirmed McLeod is no longer with the team, days before the season opener.
- Sep 2, 2026Coach Kirby Smart said McLeod hadn't been with the team since the second practice of fall camp and respected his decision.
- Sep 3, 2026McLeod released an official statement explaining his departure, and later that day was arrested on a misdemeanor trespassing charge.
Who’s saying what
- Coach
- Kirby Smart said McLeod practiced once or twice before deciding to give it up and didn't want to play football anymore, and that he respects that.
- Teammates
- Georgia teammates were reportedly surprised by the sudden departure of the starting defensive lineman.
Still unverified
The exact circumstances of McLeod's arrest and the details of his official statement are not fully detailed in the provided material.