The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Not just Bowers: Dogs’ tight-end group deep, talented
Editor’s note: This story is part of a 10-part series that looks at each Georgia position group daily until the Bulldogs open spring practice March 15. Up next: Offensive line.
ATHENS — This just in: Brock Bowers is good. Very good.
Folks suspected as much when Bowers signed with Georgia as a 4-star prospect in the Class of 2021. They were pretty sure of it when he scored four touchdowns and led the Bulldogs in receiving for three of their first four games.
They were absolutely certain of it when he scored the 14th touchdown of his freshman season in the fourth quarter of the Bulldogs’ 33-18 win over Alabama in the College Football Playoff championship game Jan. 10 in Indianapolis.
That gave Bowers the most productive season for a tight end in the history of Georgia football: 882 yards on 56 receptions. Only six UGA receivers — not tight ends — have caught more balls in one year. No Bulldog has caught more TD passes than his 13.
In the words of the late, great Larry Munson, “my God, a freshman!”
Now he’s a sophomore. And the excitement for the Bulldogs is that he’s not alone. Bowers is merely the star at a top of a Christmas tree full of talented tight ends.
The good news/bad news about that position is Bowers won’t be in action this spring. The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder
underwent surgery to repair a shoulder injury in February. That means Georgia’s many other tight ends will get all the reps through 14 practices and the G-day Game.
■ Returning starters: Bowers (6-4, 230, So.) and Darnell Washington (6-7, 265, Jr.)
■ All eyes on: Washington
■ Outlook: The NCAA’S transfer portal always beckons, and it had the Bulldogs quite worried with regard to Washington after their magical 14-1 season ended Jan. 10. Washington is a former 5-star prospect and No. 1-ranked tight end out of Las Vegas. He came to Georgia to be featured in its pro-style offense, not to sit behind a freshman phenom. Fortunately for him and the Bulldogs, offensive coordinator Todd Monken loves to utilize talented tight ends, and he typically plays them two at a time. In fact, even after Washington missed the first four games of the season with a broken foot, he ended up with six starts. And while Bowers started 14 games, they started several games together, including the SEC Championship and national title games against Alabama. Washington alone got the nod against Michigan in the Orange Bowl. With Bowers sidelined, Washington will be able to hone his route-running and pass-receiving skills with the No. 1 offense. Meanwhile, Georgia remains loaded at the position. In addition to Washington, the Bulldogs return Ryland Goede and Brett Seither, and they added the No. 2 tight end in the nation — Oscar Delp of Cumming, who was among the 19 early enrollees who will participate in spring football. The Bulldogs’ future is blindingly bright at this position.