Photo: Greg Poole/Bulldawg Illustrated
With Spring Practice and G-Day now in the books we take a stab at how the Bulldogs offensive depth chart will look when the Bulldogs open the season.
QUARTERBACK:
#1 – Jacob Eason – 6’6 228 – We all saw during the G-Day game that Eason is the most talented QB on the UGA roster. Give him another 4 months before the opening game and that gap will only widen.
#2 – Brice Ramsey – 6’3 215 – Ramsey made progress during spring practice and his skill set fits in very well with Chaney’s offense.
#3 – Greyson Lambert – 6’5 230 – In his final season Lambert will be relegated to an observer and a mentor as he is simply less talented then his younger teammates.
#4 – Nick Robinson – 6’0 200 – Showed some talent during the G-Day game and is an underrated athlete that made good decisions.
RUNNINGBACK:
#1 – Sony Michel – 5’11 214 – Michel looked fantastic in the spring with stronger looking legs than ever but perhaps a bit slimmed down. He looks primed for a monster season.
#2 – Nick Chubb – 5’11 223 – Chubb will only get stronger as the season goes on but for the first three-four weeks he will play a complementary role to Michel.
#3 – Elijah Holyfield – 5’10 215 – Holyfield is a physical specimen that runs behind his pads with a lot of energy and effort.
#4 – Brendan Douglas – 5’11 215 – Douglas is a tough, durable between the tackles tailback with reliable hands and a solid blocker in pass protection.
#5 – Tae Crowder – 6’3 225 – He showed that there is some potential their but he still needs to get bigger and stronger in the lower body to be ready.
TIGHT END:
#1 – Jeb Blazevich – 6’5 248 – Jeb had a quiet spring game but he is UGA”s most well rounded tight end and will thrive in Chaney’s system.
#2 – Isaac Nauta – 6’4 242 – Nauta is special, there is no other way to put it. I’m going to call him Baby Gronk and he is going to be nearly unstoppable as he matures.
#3 – Jackson Harris – 6’6 254 – Harris would be a #1 TE for nearly any other team in the SEC and the big, soft handed target will get plenty of opportunities.
#4 – Jordan Davis – 6’4 235 – Davis will have a limited roll but it will be important. He can stretch the field from the TE position and run away from linebackers down the seam.
WIDE RECEIVER:
#1 – Terry Godwin – 5’11 178 – An incredibly fluid athlete with velcro-like hands. Add that into a precise route runner and a fearless attitude and you have an elite WR.
#2 – Jayson Stanley – 6’2 204 – In the spring game you saw what makes Stanley special, he is big, strong and can stretch the field vertically.
#3 – Javon Wims – 6’4 215 – I’m taking a bit of a flyer here on Wims but from what I hear he is an instant impact player and ready to roll from Day 1.
#4 – Michael Chigbu – 6’2 216 – A possession WR with great hands and runs very solid routes that will be a reliable target for a young QB.
#5 – Reggie Davis – 6’0 170 – A track speedster whose biggest strength is his ability to stretch the field and will benefit greatly from a QB like Eason who throws a beautiful deep ball.
#6 – Riley Ridley – 6’2 198 – Crafty beyond his years, with excellent hands and fantastic route running. He will see the field early and often.
#7 – Charlie Woerner – 6’5 230 – A matchup nightmare for cornerbacks with his big body and ability to shield defenders. Look for him to see the field often in the red zone and as a perimeter blocker.
#8 – Shakenneth Williams – 6’1 199 – He is a solid receiver but lacks one exceptional skill that makes you really want to get him on the field.
#9 – Shaquery Wilson – 6’1 190 – The move to RB out of necessity hurt his development as a receiver but he could too low on this list based on his overall talent.
#10 – Tyler Simmons – 5’11 212 – It may be tough for him to find the field at receiver but with his incredible speed it is tough to rule him out.
SLOT RECEIVER:
#1 – Isaiah McKenzie – 5’8 170 – McKenzie is special with the ball in his hands in the open field and Chaney will find a way to get the ball in his hands often in the slot.
#2 – Terry Godwin – 5’11 178 – When he isn’t lined up out wide he is going to be in the slot. He is a nightmare matchup for nickel backs.
LEFT TACKLE:
#1 – Isaiah Wynn – 6’2 292 – Wynn is undersized but is a special athlete with incredibly long arms and fantastic quickness. He is the best equipped to protect Eason’s blind side.
#2 – Tyler Catalina – 6’6 315 – Catalina could very well end up as the starting LT but it is a huge responsibility and big adjustment to ask from anyone to protect the QB’s blind side.
#3 – Pat Allen – 6’4 305 – Allen is improving but is still a year away from being ready to contribute at the SEC level.
LEFT GUARD:
#1 – Dyshon Sims – 6’4 302 – Sims is another very good athlete for an offensive lineman who the light bulb has seem to come on for. As long as he is consistent he will likely find a starting spot.
#2 – Ben Cleveland – 6’6 345 – Freakishly strong but still a little bit raw. He will only get better as the year goes on but is physically ready to compete from Day 1.
CENTER:
#1 – Brandon Kublanow – 6’3 295 – A little bit undersized, but the unquestioned leader of the offensive line and the perfect player for a true freshmen QB to take snaps from.
#2 – Sage Hardin – 6’6 295 – The center of the future for the Bulldogs. He is smart, long armed and only getting bigger and stronger.
RIGHT GUARD:
#1 – Greg Pyke – 6’6 325 – Pyke spent spring practice at right tackle but his NFL future and best position is at RG. If he plays nasty and he can be the best guard in college football.
#2 – Lamont Galliard – 6’2 310 – The switch from DL to OL was fantastic for Galliard. He will likely play the 6th man role for this offensive line early in the season.
#3 – Sam Madden – 6’6 342 – The monster from New Jersey is still raw but he is the type of monsterous mauler Pittman covets.
RIGHT TACKLE:
#1 – Tyler Catalina – 6’6 315 – Catalina is a grown man and physically strong enough to be a mauler in the SEC. He is a perfect fit at RT allowing Pyke to slide back inside to guard.
#2 – Kendall Baker – 6’6 315 – Baker showed that he is improving every practice at the tackle position and he is the starting RT of the future in Athens.
Junkyardawg41
I agree and I think everyone is getting WAY too excited about Eason’s G-day performance. There is no argument even from Smart that he is the most talented. But that is the a very different thing from being the one that gives us the best chance to win.
Heck with those receivers who needs DR, go to Ga Tech and buzz with the bees and go nowhere
I will honestly be excited for whoever starts at qb, regardless of who it is. My fear is that people who will apparently only be excited for one person will be waiting to pounce on the first mistake, the first scoreless quarter, the first three and out to start their booing.
GO EASON GO DAWGS FIRE McGARITY NOW
Great write up. I Love some perceived depth at OL. Hopefully they can “Pull” through and open the lanes. Not overly excited about their size – Yet. Not long ago we had the LARGEST OL in Football and they were not able to Dominate.
As far as QB, I am extremely confused by many brethren posting that Lambert gives us our best chance to Win immediately. While at the same time dismissing “Easy Dawgs” – Eason ‘ s performance against a “Vanilla” Defense. Wasn’t this the same vanilla D that Lambert looked woeful against! Often passing off of his Back foot just as in the INT. for a TD….. Ramsey may be possible -but the UGA Players and Fans will have their Blood Pumping When Eason takes the field against UNC and they will Rock the Dome. Add to that the possibility of Chubbs and the atmosphere will be Absolutely Electric.
Thanks Huck!
Wouldn’t surprise me to see Mecole every now and then in the slot… If we add DRob, I would slide him in between 5 and 6. But honestly, all of this is to be defined and I am still have very high hopes on Woerner. He has the no none sense to be great!
IYH_BI DawgByte Eason will look great 7 on 7 and will get the playbook down pat. Having said that, “According to ESPN Stats and Information, in the past five seasons only
13 true freshman quarterbacks at Power 5 programs ranked in the top 100
nationally in passing efficiency at the end of their debut season.” Eason is a very long shot given history. I am sure the numbers look even worse in the SEC. Lambert is a safer choice if you go with a vanilla offense and the focus is on running the ball and believe you can out talent UNC.
Ramsey is in my mind the odds on favorite. He is a risk taker and perhaps lacks the chip capacity to ensure players are set correctly, but given Chaney’s offensive mind, I think he gets picked here. Bobo had confidence in him — I think Chaney will too.
IF Ramsy starts off poorly, I expect to see Lambert. IF the season starts out poorly, I expect to see Eason.
PTCDawg I hope the Dawgs do land D-Rob because he will contribute from Day 1. Think – bigger, faster version of Isaiah McKenzie. D-Rob is electric with the ball in his hands and nobody is going to catch him from behdn.
As far as QB, Kirby Smart has maintained that he is going to play the guy who gives UGA the best chance to win. I could be reading too much into it but he I think Kirby is the type of guy who is going to play to win – not play not to lose (which Richt did too many times in games). I think Eason and Ramsey give UGA the best chances to win. Lambert gives UGA the best chance not to lose, because he isn’t going to take risks and potentially turn the ball over.
Like i said, I may be reading too much into it…but that is my thoughts.
Nicely done IYH_BI.
Here is how I have the receivers after spring practice and the G-Day game with the receivers currently on the roster.
SPLIT END (X)
Terry Godwin
Reggie Davis
Shakenneth Williams
FLANKER (Z)
Jayson Stanley
Michael Chigbu
Cavin Riley Ridley
SLOT (Y)
Reggie Davis
Isaiah McKenzie
Terry Godwin
WR #4
Michael Chigbu
Cavin Riley Ridley
Reggie Davis
If Javon Wims can stay healthy and gets the playbook down when he gets to UGA over the summer, I think he can crack the top 4 spots. Tyler Simmons could end up being a guy that Chaney and Coley use out of the slot and move around with his speed and athleticism.
And then there is Charlie Woerner. Like Wims, if he can stay healthy and get the playbook down, he’ll play. His size and athleticism is a big time weapon in the red zone as well as short yardage situations.
The question is, does Wilson stay at RB or get moved back to WR?
Thanks Huck. As far as QB I also think Lambert is 3rd.
My odds for starting qb for UNC…lambert 40, Ramsey 35, Eason 25. While I admit it’s entirely possible, i just don’t think it’s likely an SEC coach starts an 18 year old kid from Washington who wowed everyone against a vanilla 2nd and 3rd team defense in a scrimmage, in a winnable game against a top 25 opponent. He gets a lot of snaps in that, and every, game, but can’t see the keys being turned over until mid season unless we drop a couple of games or he truly shows he is the guy that gives his team the best chance to win.
Btw, you must have accidentally left DRob off your receiver chart. 🙂
so if we bring in the #2 OL the middle has 3 6 6 guys with a couple of 345lb Guards- that will be depressing for our opponents
Thanks Huck, Great read – I also enjoy seeing the new weights on these guys
DawgByte I just don’t see Lambert starting the first game. I truly believe with a full summer of studying the playbook, 7-on-7, etc. that Eason is going to look even better when fall practice rolls around than he did in the spring.
Reddawg13 Wynn could very well end up at guard with Catalina at LT if he comes in and shows he is ready to man that position immediately.
jeffpurcell50 BD_illustrated Thanks!
BD_illustrated great great read!!!
Right on Huck. Eason does start the first game. If he doesn’t Ramsey does. Lambert is not the guy. I do feel too that Wynn ends up at Guard.
Right on Huck, I think you’ve nailed it. In my mind the only question mark is QB. I think Lambert starts the UNC game, but Eason makes his debut during that game.