WARREN ERICSON (OL #50) – Ericson’s versatility on the offensive line is already paying dividends for the Bulldogs. Originally, he was set to be the team’s starting center but when Tate Ratledge went down with a foot injury early in the Clemson game, Ericson moved into his right guard spot. It’s worked so far with Sedrick Van Pran-Granger taking over at center, because Georgia has only allowed one sack through two games.

BROCK BOWERS (TE #19) – Bowers is another guy who has stepped up when injuries have hurt Georgia. With tight ends Darnell Washington and John FitzPatrick both starting the season banged up, Bowers has become the primary receiving target at tight end. He was Georgia’s most targeted receiver against Clemson. He also scored his first career touchdown against UAB on an 89-yard pass where he outran the entire Blazers defense. The combination of speed and size could make Bowers a star for years to come in Athens.

NOLAN SMITH (OLB #4) – Smith actually picked up Georgia’s first sack of the season, which helped build the momentum for the seven-sack performance against Clemson. He will step into a bigger role this season since Azeez Ojulari is now playing in the NFL. Having Devonte Wyatt and Jordan Davis in the middle as well as Adam Anderson on the other side of the line should give Smith plenty of one-on-one opportunities to rush the passer.

CHANNING TINDALL (ILB #41) – Tindall is from Columbia, South Carolina so a matchup with the Gamecocks might mean a little more to him. Most of the talk at inside linebacker has been about Nakobe Dean, but Tindall has also shown flashes of excellence early this season. He’s a very fast sideline-to-sideline linebacker who led Georgia with seven tackles against UAB, with six of those being solo tackles.

JAMES COOK (RB #4) – It took Georgia seven quarters of football to score its first rushing touchdown of the year. James Cook finally ended that drought. Cook made a remarkable run by breaking tackles to score his first touchdown of the year from 14 yards out. Cook’s speed and catching ability out of the backfield will always make him a playmaking threat, even if Georgia rotates its running backs all season.

AMEER SPEED (CB #9) – Speed is now in his fifth year with the Georgia football program. He’s waited his turn behind plenty of talented corners like DeAndre Baker, Eric Stokes and Tyson Campbell and now he’s finally getting his shot. He’s a taller cornerback at 6-foot-3 and has played well in coverage through Georgia’s first two contests.