Pro Football Focus has a list of its top breakout candidates for this season. You’ll find four Georgia players on it.
RB ZAMIR WHITE, GEORGIA
With D’Andre Swift on his way to the NFL, the 2018 recruiting class’ top running back is the next man up for Georgia. White saw limited action in his 2019 redshirt freshman campaign but was an explosive play waiting to happen. Fifteen of his 78 carries ended up going for 10 or more yards, and he ended the year with a 75.6 rushing grade.
WR DOMINICK BLAYLOCK, GEORGIA
Blaylock was the 36th-ranked recruit in the 2019 class and came to Georgia as a top-tier athlete with elite change-of-direction ability. In his true freshman season, Blaylock averaged 10.7 yards after the catch per reception on his 18 receptions, caught 100% of his catchable targets, generated 3.1 yards per route run and produced seven explosive plays. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in the SEC championship, but he is expected to be ready for 2020 and could play a huge role in a potentially lethal passing attack.
OL JAMAREE SALYER, GEORGIA
Georgia lost some key pieces to their offensive line in the 2020 NFL draft, and the 23rd-ranked recruit of the 2018 class, Jamaree Salyer, is one who looks likely to step up in their absence. Salyer has played only 360 snaps in his two years at Georgia but has looked the part in his limited time on the field. Incredibly, Salyer has logged a snap at every position on the offensive line, producing a 77.4 overall grade while not allowing a single pressure on his true pass sets.
LB NAKOBE DEAN, GEORGIA
Dean was a top-25 recruit in the 2019 class, receiving offers from powerhouses LSU and Alabama before committing to Georgia. In his limited role as a true freshman in 2019 (245 snaps), Dean very much looked the part. He allowed only five catches for 28 yards on 149 coverage snaps and even managed to mix in a couple of pass breakups. Dean most certainly will have a larger role within Georgia’s defense in 2020, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he ends up being one of college football’s best off-ball linebackers by the season’s end.
It’s interesting that three of the four are offensive players. Then again, that’s the side of the ball from where Smart needs the most breakouts.