Miami grad transfer Lawrence Cager has been Georgia’s biggest threat downfield this season, but he is doubtful for their upcoming game against Kentucky. The Bulldogs’ wide receiving core is in a similar situation as they were earlier this season when most of the 2018 talent left for the NFL. 

Kirby Smart has said this week that everyone will have to step up in Cager’s absence and that he believes that they can do so. Smart said redshirt freshman Kearis Jackson is a guy to have your eye on, and this week in practice Jackson has been performing well. 

“I feel like it’s giving everybody an opportunity to come out and perform and show the coaches what we can do,” Jackson said about Cager’s injury providing new chances for other receivers to step up in his place. “Yes, I do miss Cager, and he’s going to come back better than ever.”

Jackson talked about guys like Demetris Robertson, Matt Landers, Trey Blount, Dominick Blaylock, Tyler Simmons, and George Pickens. 

“We know that we’ve got guys just as good – that’s when the recruiting come into play,” said Jackson. “We’ve recruited guys to come out, be able to perform, and we have a standard here at Georgia. The standard is to go out and play hard every snap. We’ve got guys that are good enough to go out there and perform when guys are down/ So we’re still good right now.” 

Earlier this season, Jackson suffered an injury to his left hand against Vanderbilt. Before that injury, he had emerged as one of the team’s breakout players to watch during fall camp. Jackson was able to practice after the injury, but he wore a club on his left hand and he eventually progressed into wearing a splint. 

“My hand’s doing pretty good,” said Jackson. “I’m still doing extra work outside of the training room. Just putting my hand in a bucket of rice every day before I go to sleep to just strengthen up my hand, and so far I’m on a good track right now. I’m getting all my strength back, so that’s good.”

Jackson returned for the Tennessee game and played against South Carolina, but he has yet to catch a pass since coming back. He wore the splint in both of those games, but this week he will be without it. 

After a lull last week, Georgia’s offense will need to get the ball downfield to guys like Jackson.

Here is the video from Kearis Jackson’s interview: