247Sports pre-spring depth chart projections:
We’re four classes in to the Kirby Smart recruiting era, and I continue to be stunned every time I look at the depth that’s been amassed up and down the offensive line. Rowe writes, “Georgia fans had better enjoy Thomas while they can”, but, whereas five years ago that would have given me a real sense of panic over what Georgia might plug in to replace a top ten in the draft-type talent, now it does nothing but give me confidence that Pittman will find a way to plug and play. Amazing.
Defensively, more of the same. Georgia has to replace an all-American talent, just like it did the season before, but there is a ton of depth at every position waiting to emerge — just look at names like Divaad Wilson at the top of the chart at the STAR position. My biggest concern right now might be injuries on the defensive line. Marshall’s limited and Smart’s obviously worried about Jordan Davis staying in shape to be a significant contributor.
What are your takeaways?
Get The Picture 
No one can say, “This team just needs X and Y to be a serious contender.” The only reason this team shouldn’t be in Atlanta would come from the sideline because of either preparation or in-game decisions or, God forbid, Jake gets hurt.
Who knows if we can beat Bama in a winner take all game? This team has all of the attributes to take on the Death Star. Time to finish the job, Dawgs.
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The best part … Most of Georgia’s opponents (at least their fan bases) keep expecting Georgia to collapse after two years ago, or last year, when the truth is the Dawgs have never been this deep – ever…
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Honestly, for me ….the biggest concern is the DL. We have the depth and size, but do we/they have the nastiness or “want to”, say like maybe a Bama. To me, that is what ‘s missing. Hope they show differently this season, they are definitely capable…just ain’t seen it.
“Katy bar the door” if that happens.
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Yeah, i think our team “wanted it” in 2017 but that mental edge was kind of built in out of a natural progression. I do agree with you though, the “between the ears” stuff will decide the next few seasons.
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Probably get some disagreement here, but what the hell…that is what this here place is about – but misses Rocker.
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I agree 100%. They need to be hungry, all the time, and not phone it in!
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In Jordan Davis’s case, maybe a little too hungry;-)
Sorry couldn’t resist the (over) weight pun.
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My biggest worry is injury to Fromm. We can handle injuries anywhere else, but not sure The Beast can come in a run the offense if Jake can’t go. Given the weapons we have (and probably the best OL in CFB), we should still be okay for most games, but we’ll need Jake at his best to beat Bama.
I’m not worried about any other position group.
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This is the first time in a long time that we are this stocked at every position group. A couple of position groups have to take the next step (WR, OLB, MLB) . We will have upperclassman leadership with Kirby’s players. Hopefully they saw how the 2017 team was lead.
Baring injuries and horrible officiating 2019 is the year. I see a lot of talent leaving early this year so we need to make the dream happen. Man I am so stoked for this year!
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That troop of running backs..behind that monster O line, will be something to behold.
If Zeus can get his mojo back, good golly, Miss Molly!
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Are there any reports on his recovery ?
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Yep, Connor Riley has the full report via White’s instagram posts.
https://www.dawgnation.com/football/team-news/georgia-football-2019-national-title-zamir-white
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Not sold on the DL. Some good players and depth but who are the game changers like Quinnen WIlliams, Dexter Lawrence and Christian Wilkins?
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Herring, Wyatt and Clark have flashed. They need to be more consistent, though. And assuming Davis is healthy, he was damn good as a freshman. But even if the DLine is only about as good as last year, they are still looking at being in the top 5 and playing Alabama for a playoff berth, unless someone in the West manages to knock them off.
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I think you will see this:
“We could also see Cox putting on 15-20 pounds and spending a lot of time at that defensive end position”
If any of the first year lineman can play some this year we should be fine baring injury problems.
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Loaded across the board, and deep. Helluva combination but I always fear the unpredictable “nits” that occur over the course of a season, it has caused us championships before. Because of that, I never buy into the “MNC or bust” group, or even the 12-0. Just win the East, and get to Atlanta healthy; that alone puts you in the Go position with a short road ahead. Love the potential of this team.
Have to agree about Davis being the biggest worry, man that big, with back issues at 19 is a major cause of concern. Getting a reliable backup before September is more important to me that the quality depth issues at TE and QB. I realize the significance of the QB position, and it could be a killer, I just don’t think you can keep Jake Fromm off the field short of something tragic. Flat out baller at QB!
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About the same DL depth and who will step up there?
RB depth.
Swift is a beast but hasn’t shown he’ll take the full load of carries that UGA likes to give a RB, not saying he can’t. But… we have not witnessed it.
I think Herrien can have a break out year. He had the hot hand against Texas wish they would have kept feeding him.
Cook, it’ll be interesting to see how a year in S&C changed him.
Is Zeus ready to go? You never know with 2 ACLs until you put pads on and game at game speed.
Thankful for Pitman, OL is not a concern which makes me feel better about QB depth. Overall, I am as optimistic as I have ever been going into a season and possibly the most since going into ’07.
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Swift had more carries than Michel the year before. Georgia also ran the ball about five fewer times per game and threw about five more.
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The talent is there across the board. Now, if they can just cut back on the fake field goals and punts …..
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Who are the kick returners?
If Zeus is as advertised, I’ll see y’all in New Orleans on 1.13.20.
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Cool….what do you look like??
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Literally, that wasn’t meant to be taken literally, literally.
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Zeus was as advertised. If he comes out and plays like he was never injured (trusting those knees) then someone has done a stellar job rehabbing his psyche. It’s harder than most think…coming out after two ACL tears and trusting your knees to do the things being a running back requires. It’s got to be scary.
This is where Nick Chubb may have left a lasting impression and example and encouragement that will help Zeus through it.
Nick was a gift that keeps on giving.
I hope our other running backs can do enough to keep Zeus off the cow pasture in Knoxville. That’s one place I would not ask the kid to go.
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Would be surprised to see Zeus back at the level he was in HS before late this season, or more likely, 2020. His work ethic will give him a chance at a full recovery but RBs have trouble trusting the repaired knee(s), especially for cutting.
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Good question. Who’s the fastest, shiftiest sure-handed WR or RB? James Cook? Kearis Jackson?
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Both are expected to contend for either or. Usually one doesn’t handle both of those jobs. I think Cook looks to be a solid pick for KR, not as sure about him as a PR.
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Good point.
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Does anyone know why the Tenn transfer (At tight end) Wolf is not available for spring practice? No one seems to have an answer.
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I assume he has not officially graduated. You cannot transfer as a graduate transfer until you have the piece of paper in hand.
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Are you saying you can’t be a graduate transfer until you grad-u-ate ? WTF is the world coming to ?!
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Not sure that he has graduated yet. Won’t until the end of this semester.
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Kirby’s done well with 3-star defensive recruits like Rice, Marshall, Stokes, Grant, McGhee, and Davis. What has me concerned are the contributions from 5-star recruits like LaCounte, Cox, Beal, and Campbell. Not to mention numerous 4-star recruits. We need some of these studs to step up and become contributors on an all-sec level. Those sky high recruiting rankings need to pan out this year.
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Still can’t believe how poorly LeCounte tackled last season. He seemed to think he could just KO guys. I hope Kirby took his dumb Hit Stick and broke it over his knee.
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Yes and no. Lecounte “tackled” horrendously at times, but at other times he did a great job of avoiding targeting calls while still making the stop. That tells me he’s thinking too much out there. He certainly seems to have the desire so I think he will do better this year.
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Better, more measured response to LeCounte’s 2018 than mine. I’m also hoping for significant improvement in ’19.
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Anyone remember when we kind of piled on an article stating that Rochester was running out of time prove himself? Well, here we are in the Spring of his senior year and he’s not listed in the top two of any DL position.
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Per Seth Emerson, Rochester will miss all of spring practice while recovering from “knee repair.” But yeah, he hasn’t been great even when healthy.
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“knee repair” the fans don’t know 1/3 of what is actually going on with a lot of players, particularly why some fail to measure up to expectations and in other cases why they leave.
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What is David Marshall’s injury ?
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He had a broken foot that needed surgery.
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Lots of ‘good’ on defense, but I’m not yet seeing the ‘great’ dominant standout player(s) needed to put this team over the top.
Many candidates here but the 2019 team is in need of a feared disrupter like a Roquan or D. Baker who requires opposing offenses to change their approach.
Offensively, do Swift and Zeus have the durability to take advantage of an experienced OL over an entire season? Can Cook improve his ball security? Can Herrien help us improve our short-yardage success rate?
Do we have a game-breaking receiver capable of keeping defenses honest on the deep thirds?
To me, Georgia looks like a plodding, often boring, good-but-not-great ‘Notre Dame’ of the SEC right now, looking to identify standout players to break out and provide that much-needed spark.
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Georgia’s had one of the most explosive offenses in the country for two years. The idea that they’re going to suddenly turn into a plodding team is pessimism bordering on parody.
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We’ll see for 2019. The #1, #2, #3, and #5 receivers and the #2 and #5 rushers are not returning.
Lots of ‘opportunity gaps’ on offense with unknown quantities on the roster for Georgia. Next men up.
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