13 minute read
RB/KR Kenny McIntosh • 6-1 • 210 • Sr. • Ft. Lauderdale, Fla
2022 personnel breakdown Starters Returning (13 of 27)
OFFENSE (7) — RT Warren McClendon; C Sedrick Van Pran; RG Warren Ericson; TE Brock Bowers; QB Stetson Bennett; WR Adonai Mitchell; WR Ladd McConkey DEFENSE (3) — OLB Nolan Smith; DB Kelee Ringo; DB Christopher Smith SPECIALISTS (3) — PK Jack Podlesny, SN William Mote, SN Payne Walker
Starters Lost (14 of 27)
OFFENSE (5) — LT Jamaree Salyer, LG Justin Shaffer, WR Jermaine Burton, RB Zamir White, TE John FitzPatrick DEFENSE (8) — DL Jordan Davis, DL Devonte Wyatt, ILB Nakobe Dean, DB Lewis Cine; DL Travon Walker; OLB Quay Walker; DB Latavious Brini; DB Derion Kendrick SPECIALISTS (1) — P/H Jake Camarda
Lettermen Returning (58)
OFFENSE (28)
WIDE RECEIVERS — Dominick Blaylock, Kearis Jackson, Ladd McConkey, Jackson Meeks, Adonai Mitchell, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, Arian Smith OFFENSIVE LINEMEN — Austin Blaske, Owen Condon, Warren Ericson, Broderick Jones, Chad Lindberg, Warren McClendon, Amarius Mims, Xavier Truss, Sedrick Van Pran, Devin Willock, Jared Wilson TIGHT ENDS — Brock Bowers, Ryland Goede, Brett Seither, Darnell Washington QUARTERBACKS — Carson Beck, Stetson Bennett RUNNING BACKS — Sevaughn Clark, Daijun Edwards, Kenny McIntosh, Kendall Milton
DEFENSE (27)
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN — Warren Brinson, Jalen Carter, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Marlin Dean, Jonathan Jefferson, Zion Logue, Tymon Mitchell, Bill Norton, Nazir Stackhouse, Tramel Walthour LINEBACKERS — Robert Beal, Jr., Chaz Chambliss, Rian Davis, Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Trezmen Marshall, MJ Sherman, Nolan Smith, Smael Mondon, Xavian Sorey DEFENSIVE BACKS — Javon Bullard, Jehlen Cannady, David Daniel, Dan Jackson, Kamari Lassiter, William Poole, Kelee Ringo, Christopher Smith
SPECIALISTS (3) Punter / Holder –PK Jack Podlesny Snappers – Payne Walker (PK), William Mote (P)
Lettermen Lost (30)
OFFENSE (15)
WIDE RECEIVERS — Jermaine Burton, Jaylen Johnson, George Pickens, Justin Robinson, Brady Tindall OFFENSIVE LINEMEN — Justin Shaffer, Jamaree Salyer, Blake Watson TIGHT ENDS — Matthew Brown, John Fitzpatrick, Chase Harof RUNNING BACKS — James Cook, Garrett Jones, Zamir White QUARTERBACKS — J.T. Daniels
DEFENSE (14)
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN — Jordan Davis, Julian Rochester, Travon Walker, Devonte Wyatt LINEBACKERS — Adam Anderson, Nakobe Dean, John Staton IV, Channing Tindall, Quay Walker DEFENSIVE BACKS — Latavious Brini, Lovasea Carroll, Lewis Cine, Derion Kendrick, Ameer Speed
SPECIALISTS (1)
Placekicker / Punter — P/H Jake Camarda
September 3 Mercedes Benz Stadium - Atlanta
Location: Eugene, Ore. Nickname: Ducks Colors: Green and Yellow Enrollment: 21,800 Conference: Pac-12 Athletic Dir.: Rob Mullens Stadium: Autzen Stadium (54,000) Head Coach: Dan Lanning Football SID: Nate Kreuger (541) 346-5475 SID Email: nkrueger@uoregon.edu 2021 Record: Overall: 10-4; Pac-12: 7-2 Series Record: Georgia leads 1-0
www.goducks.com Twitter: @oregonfootball September 10 Sanford Stadium - Athens
Location: Birmingham, Ala. Nickname: Bulldogs Colors: Red and Blue Enrollment: 5,509 Conference: Southern Athletic Dir.: Martin Newton Stadium: Seibert Stadium (6,700) Head Coach: Chris Hatcher SID: Joey Mullins (205) 726-2799 SID Email: jmmulli1@samford.edu 2021 Record: Overall: 4-7; SoCon: 3-5 Series Record: Georgia leads 1-0
www.samfordsports.com Twitter: @SamfordFootball September 17 Williams-Brice Stadium - Columbia, S.C.
Location: Columbia, S.C. Nickname: Gamecocks Colors: Garnet and Black Enrollment: 34,795 Conference: SEC Athletic Dir.: Ray Tanner Stadium: Williams-Brice Stadium (77,559) Head Coach: Shane Beamer SID: Steve Fink (803) 777-5204 SID Email: finksc@mailbox.sc.edu 2021 Record: Overall: 7-6; SEC: 3-5 Series Record: Georgia leads 53-19-2
www.gamecocksonline.com Twitter: @GamecockFB
Kent State
September 24 Sanford Stadium - Athens
Location: Kent, Ohio Nickname: Golden Flashes Colors: Navy Blue and Gold Enrollment: 38,323 Conference: Mid-American Athletic Dir.: Hunter Yurachek Stadium: Dix Stadium (25,319) Head Coach: Sean Lewis SID: Dan Griffin (330) 672-8468 SID Email: dgriff34@kent.edu 2021 Record: Overall: 7-7; Mid-American: 6-2 Series Record: Georgia leads 1-0
www.kentstatesports.com Twitter: @KentStFootball
Missouri
October 1 Memorial Stadium - Columbia, Mo.
Location: Columbia, Mo. Nickname: Tigers Colors: Old Gold & Black Enrollment: 29,866 Conference: SEC Athletic Dir.: Jim Sterk Stadium: Faurot Field (71,168) Head Coach: Eliah Drinkwitz SID: Molly O’Mara Fillmore (573) 825-6956 SID Email: momara@missouri.edu 2021 Record: Overall: 6-7 SEC: 3-5 Series Record: Georgia leads 10-1
www.mutigers.com Twitter: @MizzouFootball
Auburn
October 8 Sanford Stadium - Athens
Location: Auburn, Ala. Nickname: Tigers Colors: Burnt Orange & Navy Enrollment: 29,779 Conference: SEC Athletic Dir.: Allen Greene Stadium: Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451) Head Coach: Bryan Harsin SID: Shelly Poe (334) 844-9703 SID Email: slp0019@auburn.edu 2021 Record: Overall: 6-7; SEC: 3-5 Series Record: Georgia leads 62-56-8
www.auburntigers.com Twitter: @FootballAU
Vanderbilt
October 15 Sanford Stadium - Athens
Location: Nashville, Tenn. Nickname: Commodores Colors: Black & Gold Enrollment: 13,131 Conference: SEC Athletic Dir.: Candice Storey Lee Stadium: Vanderbilt Stadium (40,350) Head Coach: Clark Lea SID: Michael Scholl (574) 876-6248 SID Email: mike.scholl@vanderbilt.edu 2021 Record: Overall: 2-10; SEC: 0-8 Series Record: Georgia leads 59-20-2
www.vucommodores.com Twitter: @VandyFootball
Florida
October 29 TIAA Bank Field - Jacksonville
Location: Gainesville, Fla. Nickname: Gators Colors: Orange & Blue Enrollment: 54,854 Conference: SEC Athletic Dir.: Scott Stricklin Stadium: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548) Head Coach: Billy Napier SID: Steve McClain; Office: (352) 375-4683 x6115 SID Email: stevem@gators.ufl.edu 2021 Record: Overall: 6-7; SEC: 2-6 Series Record: Georgia leads 54-44-2
www.floridagators.com Twitter: @GatorsFB
Tennessee
November 5 Sanford Stadium - Athens
Location: Knoxville, Tenn. Nickname: Volunteers Colors: Orange & White Enrollment: 29,460 Conference: SEC Athletic Dir.: Danny White Stadium: Neyland Stadium (102,455) Head Coach: Josh Heupel SID: Bill Martin (865) 974-1212 SID Email: bmartin@tennessee.edu 2021 Record: Overall: 7-6; SEC: 4-4 Series Record: Georgia leads 26-23-2
www.utsports.com Twitter: @Vol_Football
Mississippi State
November 12 Davis Wade Stadium - Starkville, Miss.
Location: Starkville, Miss. Nickname: Bulldogs Colors: Maroon and White Enrollment: 22,986 Conference: SEC Athletic Dir.: John Cohen Stadium: Davis Wade Stadium (61,337) Head Coach: Mike Leach SID: Brandon Langlois (662) 325-0093 SID Email: blanglois@athletics.msstate.edu 2021 Record: 7-6 overall; SEC: 4-4 Series Record: Georgia leads 18-6
www.hailstate.com Twitter: @HailStateFB
Kentucky
November 19 Kroger Field - Lexington, Ky.
Location: Lexington, Ky. Nickname: Wildcats Colors: Blue & White Enrollment: 31,776 Conference: SEC Athletic Dir.: Mitch Barnhart Stadium: Kroger Field (62,093) Head Coach: Mark Stoops SID: Susan Lax; Office: (859) 257-3838 SID Email: slax0@email.uky.edu 2021 Record: Overall: 10-3; SEC: 5-3 Series Record: Georgia leads 61-12-2
www.ukathletics.com Twitter: @UKFootball
Georgia Tech
November 26 Sanford Stadium - Athens
Location: Atlanta, Ga. Nickname: Yellow Jackets Colors: Old Gold & White Enrollment: 32,722 Conference: Atlantic Coast Athletic Dir.: Todd Stansbury Stadium: Bobby Dodd Stadium (55,000) Head Coach: Geoff Collins SID: Mike Flynn (828) 964-6406 SID Email: mflynn@athletics.gatech.edu 2021 Record: Overall: 3-9; ACC: 2-6 Series Record: Georgia leads 69-39-5
www.ramblinwreck.com Twitter: @GeorgiaTechFB
The Georgia Bulldogs had been crowned 2021 national champions 45 minutes earlier. Celebratory confetti stuck to the players’ cleats as they entered the locker room. Teammates, coaches, and support staff shared ardent hugs. The goal, some four decades in the making, had been realized.
And then, scant moments later, the theme shifted. After Coach Kirby Smart thanked the seniors and the juniors who had delayed their NFL announcements, he put the returnees on alert. While embracing the 2021 title, begin focusing on how to do it again in 2022.
“I know all of the players will remember this feeling, but I also want the men coming back to stay hungry,” Smart said. “It’s special to win, but it takes blood, sweat, and tears. It takes connection and toughness. Our job now changes as coaches. We have to do a tremendous job of explaining to our kids how the wind blows at the top. I’ve seen it first hand and it is not easy. As you climb that mountain, it is windy up there. There are a lot of kids to replace off last year’s team who were tremendous leaders, and hopefully that will carry over to the younger ones.”
That process began with offseason weightroom sessions and will continue in March and April with spring practices. By the time G-Day rolls around in mid-April, Smart and his staff hope to have a sense of the DNA of the 2022 Bulldogs.
What follows is a pre-spring position-by-position breakdown for the Bulldogs, not factoring in offseason surgeries or injury rehabilation or the players who are due to join the team for fall camp. QUARTERBACKS
The Bulldogs are buoyed offensively by the return of Stetson Bennett, the Offensive MVP for both the College Football Playoff National Championship Game and the Capital One Orange Bowl. Bennett threw for 2,862 yards and 29 touchdowns last season and checks into 2022 as the Bulldogs’ third-leading returning rusher with 259 yards and a score. Carson Beck appeared in four games as a reserve last season, throwing for two touchdowns, and Brock Vandagriff took limited snaps in two contests. Early enrollee Gunner Stockton set Georgia state records for passing touchdowns (177), total touchdowns (254), and total yards (18,024) during his prep career. The Bulldogs also will take a look this spring at Jackson Muschamp, Nathan Priestley, and Collin Drake. running backs
Kenny McIntosh and Kendall Milton are Georgia’s top returning rushers with nearly 600 yards and four touchdowns combined. McIntosh added 242 yards and two touchdowns receiving and even threw a scoring pass in the Capital One Orange Bowl. Daijun Edwards was an effective late-game battering ram, rolling up 210 yards and three scores a year ago. With additional scholarship backs due for fall camp to offset the departures of Zamir White and James Cook, the Bulldogs have spring depth from Sevaughn Clark, Cash Jones, Kurt Knisely, Gleaton Jones, Lorenzo Stephenson, and Tauheed Ferguson.
Stetson Bennett capped a storybook 2021 season by leading his team to the national championship, earning Offensive MVP honors in both of Georgia’s College Football Playoff games. As a freshman in 2021, Brock Bowers set the UGA record for most TD catches in a single season with 13. He also set school marks for a tight end with 56 catches and 882 receiving yards.
tight ends
Brock Bowers logged an All-America and Freshman All-America season with team-high totals and Georgia tight end records for catches (56), yards (882), and touchdowns (13) in 2021. Darnell Washington battled through an early season injury to become an effective weapon down the stretch for the eventual national champions. Early enrollee Oscar Delp was the nation’s top tight end prospect as a high school senior. This spring, the Bulldogs additionally have Ryland Goede, Brett Seither, Drew Sheehan, Davis Day, and Samuel Johnson in the fold. wide receivers
Passing game coordinator Bryan McClendon, who is returning to the Georgia staff after a 6-year gap, inherits a deep and talented room. Ladd McConkey ranked second in catches (31), yards (447), and touchdowns (five) a year ago. Adonai Mitchell followed closely with 29 grabs for 426 yards and four scores, including the go-ahead touchdown in the CFP National Championship Game, while Kearis Jackson had 16 catches for 194 yards and a touchdown. Veterans Dominick Blaylock, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, and Arian Smith continue to improve following injuries, and Arik Gilbert has returned to the team after sitting out last season. This spring, the Bulldogs will get their first evaluations of early enrollees De’Nylon Morrissette and C.J. Smith following stellar prep careers. Georgia also has Jackson Meeks, Mekhi Mews, Steven Peterson, Woody Waters, Logan Johnson, Braxton Hicks, Grant Johnson, Collin Lark, and George Vining on the roster.
offensive linemen
Stacy Searels is back as Georgia’s offensive line coach after an 11year hiatus, and he will use the spring to begin building chemistry in the trenches. The line — which paved the way for 442 total yards and 39 points per game in 2021 — is anchored by the return of starters Sedrick Van Pran at center, Warren Ericson at guard, and Warren McClendon at tackle. Broderick Jones was a spot starter at tackle last year and earned Freshman All-SEC recognition, while Amarius Mims also filled
Jalen Carter had 8.5 tackles for lost yardage as a sophomore in 2021, three of which were QB sacks. He also added 33 QB hurries and blocked two placement kicks: a PAT vs. Kentucky and a field goal vs. Alabama in the CFP Championship Game.
in regularly for the Bulldogs. Tate Ratledge started the opener at guard last year but was lost for the season with an injury. Xavier Truss, Owen Condon, Devin Willock, Austin Blaske, and Chad Lindberg were key reserves a year ago who will look to crack the starting rotation. The Bulldogs also have Micah Morris, Dylan Fairchild, Clay Webb, Jared Wilson, Cameron Kinnie, John Ferguson, Chris Brown, Miles Johnson, and Weston Wallace for camp. Early enrollees Aliou Bah, Earnest Green III, Jacob Hood, and Griffin Scroggs will throw their hats in the ring. defensive linemen
Projected early round NFL draft picks Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt garnered their share of attention a year ago, but Jalen Carter was a gap plugger for the Bulldogs as well. Carter rolled up 37 tackles, including 8.5 for loss, 33 quarterback pressures, and a team-high two blocked kicks. Tramel Walthour and Zion Logue appeared in every game and had 14 and 11 stops, respectively, while Nazir Stackhouse and Warren Brinson each made nine tackles. Georgia also has veteran players in Tymon Mitchell, Bill Norton, Jonathan Jefferson, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Marlin Dean, Tyler Malakius, and Malcolm Brown. Early enrollees Bear Alexander, C.J. Madden, Shone Washington, and Mykel Williams will impact the depth chart as well. outside linebackers
First-year outside linebackers coach Chidera Uzo-Diribe has a veteran presence with Nolan Smith and Robert Beal back. Smith is the Bulldogs’ returning leader in tackles after ranking fifth a year ago with 56. He also registered 27 pressures, nine tackles for loss, a team-high three forced fumbles, an interception, a fumble recovery, and a blocked kick. Beal rolled up 23 stops, including a team-best 6.5 sacks. Chaz Chambliss had 11 tackles and made an impact on special teams, while MJ Sherman posted eight tackles. The Bulldogs also will take a look at Luke Collins, Terrell Foster, and Stephen Erb during spring drills. inside linebackers
The exit of linebackers Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker, and Channing Tindall (and their 200-plus tackles) creates an opportunity for the returning players. Jamon Dumas-Johnson rolled up 22 tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown, while Smael Mondon picked up 12 stops. Xavian Sorey logged key plays in a reserve role, and Trezmen Marshall and Rian Davis are returning from season-ending injuries last year. Graham Collins and Cade Brock are back as well. Early enrollees Jalon Walker and C.J. Washington will use spring to get their feet wet. defensive backs
The 2021 title season began with a pick-6 by safety Christopher Smith and ended with a pick-6 by corner Kelee Ringo, and each player is returning for first-year secondary coach Fran Brown for 2022. Smith had 35 tackles and three interceptions, including the only touchdown in the 10-3 opening win against Clemson. Ringo added 34 tackles and two picks, highlighted by the knockout punch against Alabama in the CFP National Championship Game. The Bulldogs also welcome back veterans in Dan Jackson at safety and William Poole at star. Jackson rolled up 40 tackles and blocked a punt, while Poole picked up 14 tackles. Tykee Smith, a 2020 All-American sidelined by injuries last season, will factor into the secondary rotation as he returns. Kamari Lassiter was a reserve in all 15 games a year ago with 11 tackles and an interception. Javon Bullard saw action in 14 contests with 12 stops. David Daniel, Jehlen Cannady, and Nyland Green gained valuable experience as backups. Early enrollees Malaki Starks, JaCorey Thomas, and Daylen Everette will vie for playing time. Georgia additionally has Drew Southern, Patrick Taylor, Matthew Helow, Payton Bowles, Wesley Potter, and Austine Eziukwu.
specialists
Kicker Jack Podlesny was the Bulldogs’ leading scorer a year ago with 137 points. He converted 71-of-72 extra points and 22-of-27 field goals. Georgia also returns Jared Zirkel and Matthew Sumlin at kicker. To replace punter, holder, and kickoff specialist Jake Camarda, the Bulldogs will take a look at early enrollee Brett Thorson of Australia, Noah Jones, and Sumlin. Snappers Payne Walker (placement kicks) and William Mote (punts) are back, along with Jonathan Washburn. McIntosh and Kearis Jackson have experience as kickoff returners, while Jackson, McConkey, and Blaylock have served as punt returners.
