The Offensive Line
In the season opener against a lesser opponent, picking out one player, after playing over 100 players, is tough to do. We will start out the 2026 season with the most valuable units versus Tennessee State. The offensive line was definitely the most powerful unit for the Bulldogs Saturday. The offensive line has experience and as you saw Saturday, they are led by Drew Bobo and Earnest Greene III. The fifth-year seniors are so very valuable for the focus of the first second and third unit of the offensive line. Glover, Gaston, Helton and the TEs are a critical piece for success. That combination Saturday was enough to control the offensive tempo and production for Georgia, racking up 276 rushing yards featuring 11 different running backs. This unit will lead the Bulldogs offense on the race for a Natty!
The Linebacking Core
This unit might be one of the best Kirby Smart has had in his 11-year run as the Bulldogs head coach. The names are familiar and then you might have some names you don’t recognize, but you need to be aware of. The linebacking core at the University of Georgia this year is the catalyst for a tremendous defensive performance. The defensive line is young and capable, and as they give their linebackers extra time, their linebackers speed and agility overtake the opposing offense. Chris Cole, Quintavius Johnson, Gabe Harris Jr., Elijah Littlejohn and Zayden Walker are just the first line of attacking linebackers that have both speed and physicality. This was a close call with the defensive line which is greatly improved with valuable experience. And as you know, when the defensive line does their job, the linebackers attack like sharks at a blood fest. This defense could be one of the best Georgia has seen since the national championship team of 2021. They were stellar Saturday giving up 109 yards total to Tennessee State’s offense and limiting them to 10 yards on 32 carries. That reminds me of my old team, you might remember them – the ’85 Bears defense. Wow!!!
Punt Return Unit
I’m going to go with the punt return unit as the most successful special team unit Saturday versus Tennessee State. With five returns for 68 yards, the Dawgs’ punt return unit showed off this past Saturday. Averaging 13.6 yards of return definitely qualifies for hitting your goal for the special team unit. Any time Georgia can pick up a first down on a punt return you check that box. The great play by Sacovie White-Helton, catching and protecting the ball on punts was really nice to see. He returned four punts for 59 yards. The only way you do that is doing exactly as Sacovie did, take the ball vertical towards their goal line. This is very exciting to see as Georgia in recent years has just been concerned with catching the ball. Now they have added advancing the ball. That’s how you break teams and hunt. The return unit broke Tennessee State this past Saturday.
