For the fourth week in a row, some freshmen came up huge during the game. Georgia has an abundance of talent that is hungry to get on the field. With facing Massachusetts, this game gave those young pups some much needed time on the field. Here are five youngsters that stood out this week against the Minutemen.
1: Justin Fields
Welcome to the spotlight Justin Fields. He not only led the team in passing but rushing as well. Fields tossed it 5 of 8 times 121 yards and two touchdowns. In between those eight throws, he toted the rock 100 yards on seven carries. He was explosive and seemed so comfortable running the offense. Despite his teammates giving him a hard time about not scoring in the long run, he showed how lethal his legs could be. The more time he gets on the field, the more it’ll be to keep him off it.
Fields’ throw to Mecole Hardman for his second touchdown pass of the game was perfect. Only Hardman could catch that pass, and the defender didn’t have a shot. Even on the one that Demetris Robertson dropped was right on the money. Fields brings an undeniable spark to the game for Georgia, and it’s coming at the right time.
2: James Cook
James Cook finally got his first collegiate touchdown as Georgia Bulldog on Saturday, better yet he got two of them. He was Georgia’s second-leading rusher with three carries for 76 yards. That’s 25.3 yards a carry. Welcome to the spotlight to you as well, Cook. Teams thought it was just D’Andre Swift and Elijah Holyfield that they had to worry about, but they need to add Cook to that list. He is extremely fast on the edge. Cook needs some weight on him, and once he does, he will be another one that’ll be hard to keep on the field.
3: Malik Herring
Malik Herring has been on the so close to getting a sack for the last three weeks and finally a piece of one during the game. Herring tied with eight other players as the No. 3 tackler during the game recording one solo tackle and three total. One of those tackles was his sack. He is someone who excites me when he comes on the field, and I cannot wait to see him continue to develop. Since the first game of the season, he continues to get better and get more pressure during the game. It seems like every game he gets so close, and once it clicks on all cylinders, he is going to be a part of one of the best defensive lines in the country.
4: Otis Reese
Otis Reese is one tough player. When he hits someone, they better be ready because it’s going to come at the player like a ton of bricks. He recorded two solo tackles and three total. Reese has made appearances in seven of the ten games. However, the last few weeks everything started to click. He shows bursts of greatness. Reese is likely what head coach Kirby Smart wants to start seeing in his secondary. Tall, thick guys who can knock you on your tail and isn’t afraid to square up with a running back trucking downfield. Keep an eye on this one, because he will be one that people will fall in love with and wear his jersey. I know I will.
5: Jordan Davis
Jordan Davis is one of my favorite freshmen to watch. He’s huge, to begin with, but he is fast as well. Davis stands at 6-6 320 pounds and the plug the Bulldogs needed on the defensive line. He only recorded one tackle against UMass, but that was a sack. Davis has recorded at least one tackle in the eight games he’s played in this season. Despite only recording one tackle on Saturday, he gave his linebackers and defensive backs the ability to get in the backfield and make plays. Like I said before about Herring, Davis will be another piece of what could turn out to be one of the best defensive lines to come through Georiga.