5. Who’s special?

So much will be new and different on special teams for the Bulldogs. It starts with new coordinator Scott Cochran, who not only hasn’t coached special teams but hasn’t been an on-field assistant coach since 1998 at University High in Baton Rouge. Meanwhile, somebody has to step into the kicking shoes left behind by Rodrigo Blankenship. It looks like that will be freshman Jared Zirkel on placement kicks and walk-on Jack Podlesny on kickoffs.

There will be a lot of new personnel handling protection, coverage and returns as well. This is where Georgia’s recruiting could make a big difference. Signing seven 5-star prospects this year in what was judged the nation’s No. 1-ranked class means they can’t all earn a place on offense or defense. But many of the great Bulldogs of the past made their way onto the field via special teams, and there will be plenty of chances for that this season.

CONTRIBUTED BY TONY WALSH Redshirt freshman quarterback D’Wan Mathis, who is one the fastest Bulldogs, shows off his speed during practice in Athens on Monday.