Georgia Bulldog veterans Ciara Bryan and Justice Milz have both entered the NCAA’s transfer portal, sources confirmed to JWOS late Wednesday.
Bryan and Milz are both set to be “super seniors” during the 2021 season, utilizing the extended eligibility waiver provided by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic that shortened the 2020 year. During the shortened season, Bryan tied for the SEC lead with eleven home runs.
During the shortened year, Bryan’s full stat line also included 31 RBI, 39 runs scored, an .860 slugging percentage, 33 hits, and fifteen stolen bases. Her eleven home runs also ranked fourth in the nation on the abbreviated year. In May, announcing her intent to play during the 2021 season, Bryan said, “Dawg Nation, it looks like you get me for another year and I’m super happy to go all out and give you guys my best one last time! The 2021 season will be a show to watch. See you soon. Go Dawgs!”
For her career, Bryan owns 48 stolen bases and 146 runs scored. She was named an NFCA All-Region honoree in 2018 and earned all-conference second-team honors a year later.
Milz also earned all-region and all-conference as a sophomore during the 2018 season, when she served as the Bulldogs’ starting second baseman. She hit 15 home runs that year, ending the season with a .372 batting average, 44 runs scored, and 62 RBIs. She also notched fourteen doubles.
As a freshman in 2017, Milz served as the team’s starting second baseman before an injury ended her season. Following her career year in 2018, she moved into a utility role for the 2019 campaign, starting at least five games at four different positions. In 2020, she made twelve starts scattered across three different positions.
In her own May statement announcing her intent to utilize the NCAA’s extended eligibility waiver, Milz said, “God had other plans. I have unfinished business with Dawg Nation. I’m extremely thankful and excited to get another opportunity to finish my senior season and fight with my teammates for a national title! Go Dawgs!”
The departures of Bryan and Milz make them the fourth and fifth members of the 2017 Georgia freshman class to have transferred out of Athens to play the end of their careers elsewhere. Alysen Febrey left the Bulldogs’ program after the 2019 season, ultimately transferring to Oklahoma State. Following the NCAA’s extended eligibility waiver, Jordan Doggett also entered the portal and later joined Febrey at OSU as her own transfer destination. Pitcher Madison McPherson transferred to in-state rival Georgia Tech prior to the 2020 campaign.
Tara Henry of d1softball first reported Bryan and Milz’s entry into the portal.
