The five Georgia Bulldogs that were chosen to represent UGA at the SEC Student-Athlete Leadership Council meeting in Atlanta are the pack’s leaders.
When spring tips toward summer in Athens, excitement blooms not only on the fields and courts but in leadership corridors as well. This July, five remarkable student‑athletes from the University of Georgia earned honors that speak as much to their character as to their athletic prowess: they were chosen to represent the Bulldogs at the SEC Student‑Athlete Leadership Council meeting held at the Omni Hotel in Atlanta on July 17 and 18, 2025 Their selection offers a compelling lens through which to explore the interplay of sport, scholarship, leadership, and community that defines collegiate athletics at its best.
The gathering was more than a formal assembly—it was a forum for voices that resonate far beyond press boxes and scoreboards. Student‑athletes from across the Southeastern Conference convened to engage with campus leaders and conference office staff, offering insights on matters like wellness, playing rules, post‑career planning, and emerging legislation. The event combined sessions from SAAC (the Student‑Athlete Advisory Committee), the Football Leadership Council, and the Men’s and Women’s Basketball Leadership Councils Presenters included DeLaina Sarden from Parker Executive Search and representatives of Akin Gump, who offered actionable guidance on building a life after athletics. Additional voices included SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey and Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Katie O’Neal, among others (
At the heart of this leadership spectacle were the five Bulldogs chosen to represent UGA. The group spanned sports — football, basketball (men’s and women’s), softball, and track and field — embodying unity in diversity. Each athlete brought their unique story, discipline, values, and aspirations.
Leading the pack was linebacker CJ Allen, a charismatic presence emerging from Barnesville, Georgia. He was selected not only as a UGA delegate to the Council, but he also had earlier this year represented the Bulldogs at the SEC Football Leadership Council and was among Georgia’s trio of players featured at SEC Media Days (He registered 76 tackles, added three tackles for loss, and snagged an interception last season. Over two seasons and 28 games, including 17 starts, he has tallied 117 tackles and 5.5 tackles for lossMore than his on‑field numbers, he has been a driving force off the field—active in the community, visible as a member of UGA’s Student‑Athlete Leadership Academy (LEAD), and a voice respected among peers. His leadership and involvement give depth to his athletic contributions.
Another Bulldog making waves was Blue Cain, the rising junior guard from Knoxville, Tennessee. A consistent starter with 42 starts in 72 games over two seasons, Cain played a crucial role in Georgia’s postseason appearances: the 2024 NIT semifinals and the 2025 NCAA Tournament bid. He achieved 29 double‑figure scoring games and led the Bulldogs in free throw percentage last season, shooting a stellar 84.1 percent ( Additionally, his academic commitment has been unwavering—SEC Academic Honor Roll in both years, the first‑year ledger in 2024, and again in winter 2025 He exemplifies a student‑athlete who sustains high standards across both classroom and competition.
On the women’s basketball side, Savannah Henderson stood out, a consensus top‑40 prospect and McDonald’s All‑America nominee. Now entering her third season with the Bulldogs, she redefined the role of a three‑point sharpshooter during her redshirt‑freshman year. In fifteen played games, she buried 11 three‑pointers, the third‑most on the team, and notched a season‑high nine points during a near‑upset of No. 1 South Carolina . Known for her academic achievements as well, she earned a spot on the SEC Academic Honor Roll . Henderson brought not only scoring, but also insight into perseverance, developing excellence, and balancing big game performance with majoring responsibilities.
The fourth Bulldog tapped for this council was Destin Howard, a rising senior pitcher from Macon, Georgia, representing softball. Over three seasons, she appeared in 35 games and pitched 45 innings, compiling four victories and a save But her leadership was not just statistical; she served as SAAC President in 2024–25 and was honored with the Clifford Lewis Leadership Award at the Dawgs Choice Awards, a peer‑voted recognition ). Additionally, she was named to the SEC Softball Community Service Team and earned spots on SEC Academic Honor Rolls in 2022–23, 2024, and 2025). Her résumé, punctuated by awards and accomplishments both on campus and in the community, is the kind of well‑rounded profile SEC leadership seeks.
The final representative was Ryan Olree, a dual‑sport athlete in track and field and cross‑country from Denver, Colorado. As a freshman and sophomore, he made school history. In cross‑country, he was UGA’s top finisher across five meets and earned All‑Region honors after finishing top‑20 at the 2024 NCAA South Regional On the track, he set a new school record in the 10,000‑meter event at the Raleigh Relays with a time of 28:38.98, and achieved top‑five placements on UGA’s all‑time list for both 5,000m and 3,000m indoor events ). He has also been a member of LEAD and SAAC during his first two years ( His relentless pursuit of excellence and combined dual‑sport success speak to the discipline—physical, mental, and intellectual—required to juggle academics and athletics at the highest levels.
Taken together, these five reflect the University’s mission to cultivate holistic growth: student‑athletes who excel in sport, lead in community, contribute in classroom, and stand ready to advocate and shape policy. Their selection to the SEC Student‑Athlete Leadership Council acknowledges this multifaceted excellence.
The meeting agenda itself mirrored that belief. Counselors heard from executive search professionals and legal advocates, dissected legislation affecting name, image, likeness, transfer portal policies, and medical protocols. Conversations with SEC leadership aimed to open lines of feedback that guide policy—for instance, how athletes view wellness support, how they perceive living‑conditions, and what steps could improve education, injury prevention, and post‑career transition . Breakout sessions tailored for football, men’s and women’s basketball, and general SAAC allowed for deep dives into sport‑specific concerns. In Atlanta, CJ Allen sat with football’s leaders, Cain with his basketball counterparts, Henderson with hers, while Howard and Olree joined SAAC‑wide discussions bridging multiple sports.
This gathering wasn’t a one‑and‑done; it followed seasons of intentional engagement. CJ Allen’s prior role on the Football Leadership Council and involvement in LEAD showed consistent leadership. Blue Cain earned repeat academic honor roll mentions. Savannah Henderson balanced major contributions shooting on court with academic performance. Destin Howard led SAAC as President, earning peer‑recognition for leadership. And Ryan Olree exemplified the scholar‑athlete ideal through dual‑sport accolades and academic engagement.
Through their presence, they demonstrated that leadership isn’t measured just in trophies or stats but in influence: speaking up about athlete wellness, advocating for equitable rules, planning for careers after sport, and shaping institutional culture. When they return to Athens, they bring with them fresh perspectives, strategic relationships with SEC offices, and an enhanced platform to drive change inside UGA’s athletic department.
Imagine dismantling turf‑field jargon for a moment: CJ could now propose improvements in concussion training or travel accommodations to trainers; Blue and Savannah could lobby for increased mental health supports or academic tutoring during tournament stretches; Destin could roll out new peer‑mentorship programs informed by SAAC revelations; Ryan could connect cross‑country and track teammates to nutrition specialists or career coaches. These attendees become conduits for solutions, bridging UGA’s internal leadership expansions with SEC-level best practices.
This July meeting charges them with responsibility—not as figureheads, but as action‑oriented delegates. It’s a call to translate ideas into initiatives: workshops, peer discussions, town hall forums, athlete wellness surveys, or social‑media campaigns. It invites them to ask hard questions—How well are injured athletes supported on campus? What resources exist for women balancing elite athletics with STEM majors? How can transfer students integrate more smoothly, academically and socially? How might LEAD alumni best support incoming freshmen? These are not surface questions but core issues affecting student‑athlete mental health, competitive readiness, retention, and post‑college success.
Their success won’t be measured by titles earned in retirement but by how well they listen, communicate, and co‑create solutions.
In highlighting this group, UGA honors not simply singular achievement, but collective momentum that defines modern college athletics. A football linebacker, two basketball guards, a softball pitcher, and a distance runner: they come from different backgrounds, different sports, different journeys—but they converge in their drive to make things better. They value academic excellence, community involvement, athletic integrity, and post‑graduation futures. Each biography reads like a miniature case study in sustained effort, woven through early mornings, late studies, rigorous practices, travel, and teamwork—ever focused on improvement, not just for personal gain but for a broader mission.
Their selection also offers recruiting resonance. Today’s high‑school athletes are driven by more than NIL deals and wins — they want platforms, purpose, impact. Being chosen for leadership councils signals to recruits and families that UGA prioritizes athlete voice and agency. It crystallizes Georgia’s narrative: you don’t just compete here, you grow here; you don’t just play here, you lead here.
Beyond recruiting, it’s about representation. From Barnesville to Knoxville to Orlando to Macon to Denver, each athlete brings hometown pride and regional diversity. They are ambassadors to dozens of communities, tying local support into national narratives. Think of CJ returning home with examples of policy influence; Blue showing Knoxville schools what a balanced scholar‑athlete looks like; Savannah discussing leadership with Orlando youth; Destin leading service‑learning projects in Macon; Ryan inspiring Colorado runners with tales of NCAA record‑breaking and campus engagement. Their stories travel, carrying lessons learned in Atlanta to audiences far beyond UGA’s borders.
At the same time, the Council addresses a pivotal moment in collegiate sports. With NIL evolving, transfer rules opening, mental health stigma receding, and societal expectations of athlete activism growing, the voice of the student‑athlete has never been more central. These five are stepping into roles that redefine what it means to be a college athlete: not simply performers, but stakeholders. Their attendance shows UGA trusts them to interpret and influence trends that affect 22,000+ student‑athletes in the SEC; to contribute to standards that may shape policymaking at NCAA levels. These are not ceremonial honours—they are functional responsibilities.
Through athlete advocacy, peer mentorship, campus‑SEC liaison, community integration, academic‐athletic synergy, NIL stewardship, mental‑health advocacy, brand partnership guidance, and league policy shaping—they contribute to change-making frameworks. The impact might surface in budget allocations, compliance protocols, scheduling norms, or marketing campaigns. If athletes say “we need more mental wellness days” and multiple schools echo that, policy might adapt. If SAAC reveals consistency in resource gaps for women’s teams across schools, investment could shift. If track athletes from smaller schools speak up about indoor facility inequities, conference expansion negotiations could prioritize infrastructure. Fresh ideas emerge when athlete perspectives become central to governance.
In Athens, the ripple effects matter. UGA’s athletic department may host forums post-Atlanta where these five debrief with teammates and staff. They could present in athletic or academic seminars, lead workshops for incoming recruits, advise new LEAD or SAAC members, or co-host community service events. Collaboration with UGA’s Career Center, Sports Psychology Department, and Athletic Compliance office could bring tangible resources to bear. These next-year initiatives might range from structured mental health check-ins, career panels with SUNY‑led mentors, leadership boot camps, to first-year athlete peer groups.
Looking across the five, their roles vary but align: interface with administration, lead cohort with empathy, represent the student body, carry insights home, catalyze action. The selection process itself acknowledges trust — UGA leadership believes each will champion departmental priorities while holding space for athlete voices. It’s a caucus within SEC structures where Georgia has chosen five figures to speak for hundreds. Their pictures and profiles now reflect not just athletic skill, but public responsibility.
It’s worth noting that this moment belongs to college sports culture. Conversations around service learning, NIL, mental health, transfer data, and athlete rights have shifted power from traditional administrators to the athletes themselves. Bodies like SAAC and these Leadership Councils exist because conferences recognize that athletes, not just coaches, admins, and donors, must help draft standards for living, playing, and departing the sport. UGA’s commit to these five is also a commitment to this evolving model of shared governance. What unfolds after Atlanta will test the substance of that commitment.
In closing, the University of Georgia’s delegation of CJ Allen, Blue Cain, Savannah Henderson, Destin Howard, and Ryan Olree to the SEC Student‑Athlete Leadership Council in Atlanta is not accidental. It is the culmination of seasons of work: on the field, in the classroom, within communities, and in between leadership boards. Their roles in Atlanta are proof that athletes are not just executors of direction—they are architects of change. The two days at the Omni Hotel may pass quickly, but the aftershocks—policy conversations, teammate empowerment, community outreach, leadership cultivation—will shape Georgia’s sports culture all the way through seasons ahead and into legacy narratives.
Watching them return to campus in the fall, many will look to see what they did with that opportunity. Securing buy‑in from teammates, leveraging contact with conference decision‑makers, reporting back lessons learned, proposing shifts, piloting programs—those will determine whether representation becomes transformation. But if past patterns hold, if UGA’s record of sport‑spanning excellence is any guide, the Dawgs will channel those lessons into everyday culture. Bulldogs will lead and learn. They will ask questions, demand resources, coach peers, hold discussions. And their impact won’t be limited to varsity locker rooms—it will echo in conference policy briefs, academic research partnerships, community boardrooms, and perhaps one day in NCAA innovations.
They are five individuals. Together, they are five ambassadors. And they bring home more than ideas—they bring responsibility. The SEC Student‑Athlete Leadership Council meeting offered them a platform. What comes next is on them—and judging by their backgrounds, that future is in trusted, capable hands
