The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
» Top 22 mostly set for UGA on offense, defense,
ATHENS — With approximately 200 snaps among the first, second and third units, the Georgia Bulldogs wrapped up the camp portion of preseason practice Saturday. They even partook in the UGA tradition of eating watermelon at the end of the scrimmage at Sanford Stadium.
Starting Tuesday, the No. 5-ranked Bulldogs will move into the installation phase of preseason preparations. The focus shifts to the game plan and lineup for No. 3 Clemson in the Duke’s Mayo Classic in Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 4 (7:30 p.m., Channel 2 Action News).
That means personnel experimentation is mostly over at this point. Georgia’s
first 22 on offense and defense are largely established, with specialized and backup roles being refined daily in the nine to 10 practices that remain.
“We’re trying to figure out who the best football players are, and that’s been our intent with these scrimmages,” coach Kirby Smart said after the Bulldogs finished their second and final one Saturday. “We’re going out and trying to play fundamental football now. It will become a little more schemed because we’ve got to find out what each guy does well and what we want him to become.”
The general picture of what the depth chart will look like is coming into sharper focus 11 days out. Let’s take a look:
OFFENSIVE LINE
Starters: Probably the biggest question mark coming into camp, the Bulldogs appear to have settled into a starting five for Clemson. They are LT Jamaree Salyer (6 feet 4, 325 pounds, Sr.); LG Justin Shaffer (6-4, 330, Sr.), C Sedrick Van Pran (6-4, 310, RFR.), RG Tate Ratledge (6-6, 320, RFR.) and RT Warren Mcclendon (6-4, 300, So.). It won’t necessarily stay that way.
Role players: Redshirt freshman Broderick Jones has had a strong camp and could back up either tackle. Likewise, junior Warren Ericson, who was slated to start at center before breaking his left (snapping) hand in the second practice of camp, is participating in a club cast now. He could play either guard and has been practicing snapping with his right hand. Junior Owen Condon will be in the mix at guard if healthy. Freshman Jared Wilson has been the surprise of the group and will see action this season.
Quote: “We’ve really settled into the five that are repping with the 1’s. … I feel good about our depth at offensive line, and we still have time to determine who the starters will be. But it’s not like we’re out there doing musical chairs.” — Smart
RECEIVERS
Starters: The position most questioned by fans, Georgia’s wideouts actually have rounded quite nicely into form. Sophomore Marcus Rosemy-jacksaint has reasserted himself as the No. 1 split end, where he backed up George Pickens last season. Returning starters Kearis Jackson (knee) and Jermaine Burton (ankle) are now healthy and set to go at slot and flanker, respectively.
Role players: Sophomore speedster Arian Smith, redshirt freshman Justin Robinson and freshman Adonai “A.D.” Mitchell definitely are in the plans. Redshirt freshman Ladd Mcconkey could play as well. Dominick Blaylock, survivor of two ACL reconstructions, eventually will. So, we’re told, will heralded transfer Arik Gilbert.
Quote: “Each one of those guys has had a tough, physical, competitive camp. … All three have a different skill set and are all three competitors. They continue to grow and are all in that receiver rotation. — Smart of Rosemy-jacksaint, Robinson and Smith.
TIGHT END
Starters: Injuries really hurt this position. Junior John Fitzpatrick and sophomore Darnell Washington were going to play a lot. Now both have been sidelined with foot injuries. Fitzpatrick has returned but is not 100%. It looks like the 6-7, 265pound Washington won’t play against Clemson.
Role players: Georgia is in good hands with sophomores Ryland Goede and Brett Seither. But the talk of camp has been the spectacularly versatile play of freshman Brock Bowers. Coordinator Todd Monken has drawn some stuff specifically for Bowers (6-4, 230).
Quote: “He’s accelerated his learning. He’s competitive, he works his tail off every day. He’s a joy to be around. He’s what you want in a football player. So we’ve got to find a way to use his skill set.” — Smart on Bowers
RUNNING BACK
Starters: The loyalty, overall durability and solid play in camp of Zamir While and James Cook will be rewarded in the first game and possibly beyond that. But Monken has made it clear the coaches are looking for more explosive plays out of the position. So those two are going to have to produce to hold back a bunch of talented young backs.
Role players: It seems almost a disservice to label sophomores Kendall Milton and Kenny Mcintosh as backups. That is, however, going to be their roles out of the gate. That won’t last if they spring some long runs. Meanwhile, sophomore Daijun Edwards was surprisingly productive last year. All deserve snaps. Proficiency catching the ball and in pass protection will earn time on the field.
Quote: “We’ve got an excellent group of running backs, and all five can play here. (Running backs coach) Dell (Mcgee) does a great job of keeping those guys fresh. They’ve been pretty selfless in terms of understanding that it probably benefits them to not have all the wear and tear on them. But, obviously, we have to become more explosive in the run game.” — Monken
QUARTERBACK
Starter: Junior JT Daniels has had a solid camp and has endeared himself to teammates both by sharing his NIL wealth and with his apparent penchant for trash-talking to Georgia’s No. 1 defense. The battle therein reportedly has given Daniels even more confidence heading into his fifth start for the Bulldogs.
Role players: Redshirt freshman Carson Beck has been QB2 throughout camp. But fifth-year senior Stetson Bennett, with 25 games and 17 starts in his career, is the Bulldogs’ most experienced quarterback and very likely would be called on in an emergency situation. Both Beck and freshman Brock Vandagriff have displayed tremendous upside.
Quote: “First, he is more comfortable with our players. Second is he’s very, very comfortable with the offense and changing things at the line of scrimmage and doing things that are player-controlled. He likes to be involved, and he’s got greater command of what we want done.” — Monken on Daniels
DEFENSIVE LINE
Starters: First on the field will be seniors Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt at the tackles, then either sophomore Jalen Carter or junior Travon Walker at defensive end. It really doesn’t matter because Georgia is deep and specialized along the defensive front.
Role players: There is strength here in numbers and combinations. Mature backups await their chance, such as senior Tramel Walthour and sophomores Zion Logue, Tymon Mitchell, Bill Norton, Warren Brinson and Nazir Stackhouse. Freshman Jonathan Jefferson was turning heads early in camp. The Bulldogs also will have senior Julian Rochester at their disposal for a sixth season. Coming off a second knee surgery in October, he has 51 games and 20 starts under his belt. So he’ll make a difference when he’s cleared to go.
Quote: “Going against Jalen,
JD, Devonte, Travon Walker, Tramel Walthour, those guys are warriors. It really helps you because, honestly, it makes you hone in on your technique. You really have to play sound technique football, because if you mess one thing up, it might be the end of it for you.” — Van Pran
INSIDE LINEBACKERS
Starters: Nakobe Dean had one spot wrapped up even in the spring, when he was recovering from offseason labrum surgery. He played the last eight games last season with the shoulder injured and still led the team with 71 tackles. Now he’s well. Junior Quay Walker was set to start beside him but has been sidelined on and off throughout camp. There is little dropoff, however, to senior Channing Tindall, who will be sharing reps at both spots anyway. A solid three-way rotation.
Role players: This is a position where there are many forgotten faces, such as Trezman Marshall and Rian Davis, who have had good camps. But Georgia has recruited hard at this position, and it has shown in practice. At different times, freshmen Smael Mondon, Chaz Chambliss and Jamon Dumon-johnson have shined.
Quote: “Nakobe is certainly a big-time signal-caller for us, but I’m excited to see Quay Walker and Channing Tindall as well. And we’ve got some young guys who are really coming up and doing a great job also. But Nakobe is having a good fall so far, and he knows that we have high expectations for him. But nobody has higher expectations for Nakobe Dean than Nakobe Dean, I promise you that.” — Defensive coordinator Dan Lanning
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
Starters: Nolan Smith and/ or Adam Anderson will start and get most of the snaps. Both come into season wanting to prove they can be every-down OLBS, whether setting the edge or rushing the passer. Azeez Ojulari did both well last season and parlayed it into a second-round NFL draft selection. The evolution of offenses mean the strongside “Sam” position has almost disappeared from use. Only the “Jack” gets on the field most of the time these days, so the battle for reps there will stay intense all season.
Role players: Georgia has recruited so well here that it almost doesn’t miss the multitalented Jermaine Johnson, who transferred to FSU. Former 5-star Robert Beal returned for his final season, and 2020 5-star recruit Mekhail “MJ” Sherman finally is healthy and thriving. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are working Chambliss, Xavian Sorey and Mondon both inside and outside. A wealth of talent awaits in the wings.
Quote: “There’s definitely an opportunity sitting in front of Nolan. I’m looking for him to take advantage of it, and I think he has the skill set to do so.” — Lanning
SECONDARY
Starters: Georgia is set with Clemson transfer Derion Kendrick at one corner and senior Ameer Speed or redshirt freshman Kelee Ringo at the other. Lewis Cine and Christopher Smith have locked down the safety positions. Latavious Brini outlasted Tykee Smith to win the Star/nickel back position by default. Smith’s foot injury last week decrease the Bulldogs’ down-and-distance options at that particular spot. He was the coverage specialist of the duo.
Role players: There has been no more intense competition in camp than in the defensive backfield. Speed and Ringo remain neck-and-neck. Jalen Kimber is the next corner in the game and could work some at Star. DBS coach Jahmile Addae has been thrilled with his four freshman additions, especially the late-arriving Kamari Lassiter and early enrollee Nyland Green. But experienced depth is not available. Senior William Poole is going to have to help out at Star and at safety, and cross-training has been required for virtually every defensive back.
Quote: “DK and Kelee and Ameer Speed and Jalen Kimber bring us the most experience (at cornerback). Kamari is obviously the youngest, but he’s worked all over the place. The guy’s played almost every position on the field. He’s a bright young player and has good instincts. We’ve got to find a home spot for him to get him more reps and ready to play. And I feel really good about the play of Brini.” — Smart