OFFENSE – Quarterback
Fifth year senior Carson Beck is back for his second season as Georgia’s starting quarterback. He was outstanding in 2023, succeeding two-time national champion legend Stetson Bennett as the Bulldogs signal caller. Beck was one of the cornerstones of Georgia’s 13-1 Orange Bowl Championship team that finished ranked No. 3 nationally. Starting all 14 games, the Jacksonville native hit on 302 of 417 passes – the 72.4 completion percentage ranking fourth nationally — for a Southeastern Conference leading 3,941 yards with 24 touchdowns and six interceptions. Though he is not the swiftest runner, Beck rushed for four scores last year and was effective on designed runs. His pocket awareness has improved considerably, and the second team All-SEC selection has shown the ability to make all the passes. He throws a good ball, and has a lot of zip. Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey are now in the NFL. Two of the great players in Georgia history, those two have been the Bulldogs “go-to guys” the last three years.
If Beck can continue to improve, he could be as good as any quarterback in the country, in all the awards conversations and a potential high NFL Draft pick. Winning takes care of all of that, and that’s the big reason he is back – to try and lead Georgia to another season of glory.
Gunner Stockton is the No. 2 quarterback. He started the second half of the Orange Bowl, playing with the ones, and led the Bulldogs to a trio of touchdown drives in Georgia’s 63-3 demolition of Florida State. Stockton is a gamer with moxie. A Rabun County prep legend in the Peach State, he’s a talented runner and passer who projects as a future Bulldog standout quarterback.
True freshman Ryan Puglisi was an early enrollee who never wavered from his commitment. He has an outstanding arm and quick release. The Bulldogs added depth from the portal with Jaden Rashada. He started three games as a freshman at Arizona State, throwing for four touchdowns and three interceptions, but missed the remainder of the season due to injury.
Georgia has talent, depth, experience and balance in the classes – plus verbal commitments for callers in the next two prep cycles. The development of Beck is another testament to Mike Bobo, and his outstanding work as a quarterbacks’ coach and offensive coordinator.
The Bulldogs appear to be in outstanding shape for the present and future at QB.
Running Back
There are some question marks for Tailback U. Georgia has showcased as many great runners through the years as any school in America. That certainly goes for the Kirby Smart era. Sony Michel, Nick Chubb, D’Andre Swift (third string in 2017), Elijah Holyfield, Brian Herrien, Zamir White, James Cook, Kenny McIntosh (third team in 2021), Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton are the headlining running backs who have amassed miles of yards and triple digits in touchdowns.
Edwards and Milton, who both battled injuries, combined for 27 touchdowns on the ground as seniors a year ago. Both have joined their Bulldog running back forebears in the NFL.
So who are the next guys?
Sophomore Roderick Robinson is built like a classic Vince Dooley fullback from the 1980s. At 6-0, 240-pound, he packs a punch. Injuries hindered much of his first season, but when his number was called late in the season, especially on a couple of Georgia football classic toss sweeps, he sure looked the part.
Redshirt sophomore Branson Robinson was an elite recruit who played well as a freshman, most notably punching in a pair of touchdowns to punctuate the Bulldogs resounding 65-7 trouncing of TCU to capture the 2022 national championship. Unfortunately, he missed all of last season with a foot injury. At 100%, the 5-10, 220-pound Robinson has the look of an All-SEC running back. His powerful running style drawing comparisons to the beloved Chubb.
A healthy Robinson and Robinson will give the Bulldogs a physical duo of ball carriers.
There are new additions to the backfield, including a trio of blue chip freshmen – Nate Frazier, Chauncey Bowens and Dwight Phillips – and transfer Trevor Etienne. The younger brother of Clemson All-American and Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne, he had two fine seasons at Florida, totaling 1,472 yards (at 5.9 per carry) and 14 touchdowns for the Gators in 2022 and 2023. With 21 receptions a year ago, he could be a threat in the passing game for Georgia. No doubt he was one of the Gators that the Georgia defense keyed on the last two years in Jacksonville. With another expected stout offensive line leading the way, Etienne should flourish as a valuable piece in the Bulldogs backfield.
Don’t forget about Cash Jones. The former walk-on ran for 161 yards on 22 carries last season, and scored his lone touchdown at a huge moment. Jones had a 13-yard fourth quarter scoring dash off right tackle to give the Bulldogs a 10-point lead in a 24-14 win over South Carolina Between the Hedges.
The potential is there for a very good group. Staying healthy … news flash … is vital. For a season that could go 13 to 17 games long, depth becomes increasingly vital. It would be nice for the Dawgs to get some pop from one of the freshmen, even if it is not until later in the season.
Wide Receiver
There are big shoes to fill with Ladd McConkey and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, who were part of some of the biggest plays in Georgia football history.
Headlining the returnees is junior do-everything standout Dillon Bell, who has proven to be a tremendous receiver, outstanding runner, special teams threat and even a passer. He threw a touchdown pass to Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint in the Bulldogs 38-10 victory at Tennessee, then caught a scoring toss from Beck on Georgia’s next possession. It was a Hines Ward type performance. On the season, he caught 29 passes for 355 yards – including some sensational over-the-shoulder grabs down the stretch – and a pair of touchdowns. Bell, between snaps at tailback and carries as a wide receiver, rushed 25 times for 157 yards and two scores.
Georgia has leaned on the portal at receiver more heavily than any other position. Dominic Lovett, who had 54 catches for 613 yards and four touchdowns, including a game-tying TD at Tech, is back for his second season in Athens. So is RaRa Thomas, who battled injuries, and came up with 23 grabs for 383 yards and a score. He had a critical juggling grab in Georgia’s win at Auburn. Lovett is not real big, but gets open. Thomas is physical.
The Bulldogs welcome in a trio of transfers at receiver this season.
Colbie Young had an impressive spring, and at 6-3, 215-pound gives the Bulldogs good size. The Bulldogs are hopeful he could have the kind of impact that Lawrence Cager, who was hampered by injury, had for the Bulldogs in 2019. Like Cager, Young comes to Athens from Miami. In two seasons with the Hurricanes, he had 79 catches for 930 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Last season, Georgia got a close up view of Landon Humphreys, who had a 49-yard catch and run for a touchdown on Vanderbilt’s opening drive against Georgia. Named to the All-SEC Freshman Team, he had 439 yards and four touchdowns last season for the Commodores.
Michael Jackson III comes to Georgia from Southern Cal where he had five career touchdowns.
Fifth year senior Arian Smith is one of college football’s fastest players. He has had a slew of big plays in Georgia career, highlighted by a touchdown for the ages against Ohio State, another deep ball against the Buckeyes and a big play in the Bulldogs 2022 No. 1 vs. No. 1 victory over Tennessee. When healthy, Smith is a tremendous weapon. If he’s well and consistent, Smith could be a difference maker.
Anthony Evans is back for his second year. He came on late last season as a punt returner and receiver. There is upside here.
Cole Speer and true freshmen Nitro Tuggle and Sacovie White will fight for snaps at receiver and on special teams. There are two other true freshmen who will likely play in the secondary, K.J. Bolden and Demello Jones, who could prove to play playmakers at receiver at some point in their career.
Settling in on a rotation of four to five regulars at receiver will be big for Beck.
Georgia welcomes back ace recruiter James Coley as the wide receivers coach.
Tight Ends
The greatest tight end in college football history now plays for the Las Vegas Raiders. Brock Bowers is one of Georgia’s all-time legends. The three-time All-American and two-time John Mackey Award winner, like his ++ sidekick McConkey shined brightest on the biggest stages. Those two icons scored touchdowns in National Championship Games, CFP battles and against Florida, Auburn, Tennessee, South Carolina and the Yellow Jackets.
There won’t be another Bowers.
But Georgia is still very good at tight end.
Todd Hartley, college football’s top tight ends coach, has assembled another outstanding group.
Oscar Delp was the top backup a year ago, and is a very good player. He’s a good blocker and terrific downfield receiver. The 6-5, 245-pound junior had 24 catches for 284 yards and three touchdowns a year ago. He had a big score against Missouri and made a fantastic catch in Jacksonville against the Gators. Sophomore Lawson Luckie was shining in camp, but struck down by injury. He came on late in the season and caught a touchdown in the Orange Bowl. Luckie is athletic with big upside.
Another rising sophomore, Pearce Spurlin, had to retire from football due to a medical condition. He will still be a part of the program as a student assistant.
There are a pair of freshmen entering the mix, Jaden Reddell and Colten Heinrich.
The newcomer likely to have the greatest impact is senior transfer Benjamin Yurosek. In three seasons at Stanford, Yurosek recorded 1,342 yards on 108 catches with five touchdowns. At 6-4, 242-pound, he has the size to be a high quality in-line blocker.
Georgia has been masterful at utilizing the tight end position. The versatility and flexibility has opened up a wealth of weapons, formations and options. On Georgia’s national championship teams of 2021 and 2022, the Bulldogs boasted maybe the best one-two tight ends punch ever in Bowers and “The Skyscraper” Darnell Washington.
It might be a reach for anyone to approach that duo ever again. But if Delp and Luckie and the best Delp and Luckie they can be, Georgia may be better at tight end than anyone else in the SEC.
Offensive Line
Big, strong, athletic, powerful, deep, experienced, cohesive. Once again, Georgia’s offensive front will try and check all the boxes. The big and strong are a certainty. The size of the Bulldogs offensive line is bigger than the front five of several NFL teams.
When Kirby Smart came to Georgia, there were two glaring areas that needed an upgrade in every way, the offensive line and special teams. Mission accomplished.
A trio of O-Line coaches – Sam Pittman, Matt Luke, and now Stacy Searels, have done a tremendous job year in and year out, assembling and putting together one of college football’s top units.
Some of Kirby Smart’s best recruiting has been swaying standout players to return for their senior seasons. The return of Chubb, Michel, Lorenzo Carter, Jordan Davis, Devonte Wyatt and Sedric Van Pran has been integral to the Bulldogs incredible run of success. Add to that list this season, a quartet of “big uglies,” Tate Ratledge and Xavier Truss on the offensive line, and Nazir Stackhouse and Warren Brinson (more on them later) back to bolster the defensive front.
Van Pran leaves a huge void. He took over as Georgia’s center late in the 2020 season, and started every game after. A tremendous leader and outstanding student, he is one of the best to ever play at Georgia.
Succeeding that “bell cow” at center will be a big challenge. Jared Wilson is the front-runner, and got numerous snaps last season when the Bulldogs had pulled away. Drew Bobo is one of the top backups, and Georgia always cross trains its offensive linemen. Ratledge, a ++ leader and all-star candidate can play center, as can Dylan Fairchild. Those two and Micah Morris, who emerged as a big time player last season, give Georgia a strong group on the interior. Truss can play right tackle or inside.
Earnest Greene, a redshirt sophomore, shows all-star promise at left tackle. Truss, Monroe Freeling and Bo Hughley will fight it out for snaps at tackle. The latter two could be the heir apparent starters at tackle looking ahead to 2025. There are six massive true freshmen on campus, with the average size around 6-6, 330-pound. Michael Uini and Daniel Calhoun, projected tackles are amongst the young newcomers who could vie for some playing time this season.
With so many potential games on the schedule, the continued development of the depth across the board is very important. That certainly goes for the offensive line. The production of this position has been tremendous. This year’s line looks like it has the potential to be top notch as well, which is a must if the Bulldogs are going to contend for the big prize once again this season.
DEFENSE – Defensive Line
When Georgia won the 2021 national championship, the Bulldogs boasted a defensive line that goes down as one of the greatest in college football history. Four eventual first round picks were the cornerstone of a tremendous stop unit. Trayvon Walker, Davis and Wyatt were first rounders. Jalen Carter was an All-American and first round pick the next year, anchoring the defensive front on Georgia’s run to a second straight national championship.
An all time great defensive line in 2021, the country’s top defensive front in 2022, and then last year, Georgia merely had one of college football’s best D-lines.
Those elite, big, strong, fast, athletic, disruptive penetrators on the defensive line are the hardest players to find, even more so than great quarterbacks.
So the challenge for Smart’s stop unit and defensive line coach Tray Scott … build the Bulldogs into a dominant, disruptive, elite force in 2024.
Real quick, let’s cover terminology. There are defensive ends and outside linebackers. Often times, OLBs wind up lining up on the offensive tackle or tight end. Technically making them defensive ends. Along those lines, junior Mykell Williams has moved from DE to OLB, giving arguably the team’s most talented defender and the Bulldogs a bit more flexibility up front.
Let’s start with Stackhouse and Brinson, the seniors seeking to go out with a bang. They give Georgia excellent size, depth and experience on the D-Line. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, a fourth year junior, will figure heavily in the mix, and is a candidate to start up front at defensive end. When he has been healthy, TID has made big plays and could be poised for a breakout season. These three give Georgia a strong foundation up front. Next up are the three big sophomores, Christen Miller (a redshirt soph) and second year players Jamaal Jarrett and Jordan Hall. The progression of this trio will be vital to the Bulldogs success on the defensive interior. Xzavier McLeod is a transfer who could figure into the mix. He signed with South Carolina and played sparingly a year ago. Now he gives Georgia more depth and size up front.
The Bulldogs put together an outstanding defensive line recruiting class, including: Joseph Jonah-Ajonye, Jordan Thomas, Justin Greene, Nnamdi Ogboko, Quintavious Johnson (who could play some OLB) and Nasir Johnson. The Bulldogs haven’t shied away from playing freshmen during Smart’s remarkable tenure. If Georgia makes a run, these freshmen could provide the depth, reinforcements and fresh, strong legs for the stretch push.
Linebackers
On the outside, Mykel Williams is the headliner. He has shown flashes through his first two seasons of being a great player. The next step is consistency at his new home. Williams has first team All-American and high first round pick upside. Chaz Chambliss is a veteran presence and there are some lights out second year talents – Damon Wilson, Gabe Harris and Samuel M’Pemba. Presuming the progression continues, this position should be an enormous talent supply for the Bulldogs.
Jalon Walker, like Williams, is an X-Factor. No. 11 in the red helmet is a versatile play-maker. He can line up all across the field. Walker makes plays. An all-star season could be in the cards, playing inside, and out. He’s a football player.
Smael Mondon is back for his senior season. He is an All-SEC talent and leader of the squad. CJ Allen got his feet wet as a freshman, and moved into a starting role due to injury. If this pair stays healthy, along with Walker and those young outside ‘backers, Georgia should bring some serious punch to the position. Raylen Wilson and Troy Bowles are set for their second season, top flight recruits who continue to climb the depth chart. Georgia recruited – shocker – here very well. Justin Williams, Chris Cole and Kris Jones are all out of state products who ranked as blue chippers. That’s depth, talent and potential special teams standouts.
Secondary
This position group was hit hard by the NFL Draft. Javon Bullard, an all time great Georgia safety, Kamari Lassiter, one of the best corners to ever don the silver britches, and Tykee Smith, who had a tremendous 2023 campaign, were all high picks and leave huge shoes to fill.
Junior safety Malaki Starks is the headline returnee. A first team All-American last season, the SEC Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2022, Starks is the total package. He has great instincts, a nose for the ball, great coverage skills and is a physical tackler. Starks burst onto the scene with a spectacular interception against Oregon in his first ever game as a Bulldog in 2022. Two weeks later, he had a 42-yard INT return against South Carolina to set up a touchdown. Over two seasons, he has five picks and 120 tackles. Georgia needs for Starks to play big once again, and show the way for a reloaded secondary.
Dan Jackson is another play-maker, back as a front runner to start alongside Starks at safety. He had interceptions in each of the last two seasons against South Carolina, and has been a ++ special teams ace, blocking punts and covering kicks, a la the splendid coverage tackle he had to kick off the Orange Bowl.
Highly touted sophomore Joenel Aguero is physical. He can play safety or the STAR position. Same for hard hitting senior David Daniel-Sisavanah. JaCorey Thoas, transfer Jake Pope and Justyn Rhett give Georgia depth at the position.
Daylen Everette is back for a second season as a starting cornerback. He played well last season, and closed strong with an interception against Florida State. Surrounded by four all-stars, he had a lot of balls coming his way, and did a nice job. Julian Humphrey was emerging, but injuries cut his season short. Daniel Harris got some significant snaps in Miami and the Bulldogs are high on him.
There are four highly touted true freshmen the Bulldogs brought in who could all see action. It can be nervy to play freshmen in the secondary, but K.J. Bolden, Ellis Robinson, Demello Jones and Ondre Evans will all be hungry for snaps. It might be a bit greedy to hope that one of these standouts could have an immediate impact like Starks, but there is some standout talent amongst this group. And the Bulldogs are hoping to play 16 games this season.
Special Teams
Georgia’s two biggest question marks heading into last season were quarterback and kicker. Even the most optimistic of Georgia fans would have been hard pressed anticipating the caliber of seasons that Carson Beck and Peyton Woodring had in 2023. Both were sensational. Now both spots are viewed as positions of strength. And you better be able to trust your quarterback and kicker.
The sophomore Woodring got off to a bit of a shaky start, but beginning with a pair of clutch field goals in Georgia’s 27-20 victory at Auburn, he was as good as any kicker in the country. Woodring made 21 of 25 field goals, all 71 extra points and led the SEC in scoring with 134.
Georgia’s biggest question mark heading into 2022 was punter. Jake Camarda is one of the best in Georgia history. The Bulldogs haven’t missed a beat. Thorson is one of the best in Bulldogs lore. The opposition did not return a punt against the Bulldogs last season. That is ZERO return yardage. On just 32 punts, he averaged 43.8 yards per attempt, and was a master at landing kicks deep in enemy territory. That’s where punting yardage can be a bit deceiving. As a freshman, he punted 36 times for an average of 48 yards. The highlight came against Tennessee. With the Bulldogs leading 7-3, he smoked a 75-yarder that was downed at the one-yard line in Georgia’s monumental 27-13 victory over the Vols. The case can be made that it is the greatest punt in Sanford Stadium history.
Will Snellings is the frontrunner at snapper, a position where Georgia has been consistently strong. Beck figures to again be the holder.
Evans flashed at punt returner late last year.
There are several options on kickoff returns, including Bell.
Special teams have been a weapon for Kirby’s Dawgs dating back to 2017. Georgia’s depth teamed with high quality kickers is a big reason.
There is no reason to think the Bulldogs won’t again be exceptional on special teams, a must as Georgia once again is a front-runner to contend for the highest of national honors.