Owen Warden
Georgia’s running back room is dealing with a myriad of injuries.
Nearly every player on scholarship in Georgia’s backfield has had to work back from or recover from an injury suffered during spring or fall camp.
Before the Bulldogs’ game against UT Martin, the team lost sophomore running back Branson Robinson to a non-contact patellar tendon tear that will force him to miss the season. Robinson, before his most recent ailment, was recovering from a toe injury on the opposite leg that forced him to miss G-Day — just like senior back Kendall Milton did due to a hamstring injury.
“I hate it for Branson because he had really worked hard,” head coach Kirby Smart said. “At the end of the spring, he came up with the turf toe and he has been battling back the whole offseason. He’s had a great summer and looked really good in the days leading up to this injury.”
While Robinson was nearly back until his patellar tendon tear, Milton has been working through his hamstring injury, but hasn’t run with the rest of the team for most of fall practice. Despite this, Milton led all Georgia rushers with 53 yards in Week 1 against UT Martin.
said that Edwards was already back with the running backs practicing, but wore a black, non-contact jersey. Smart said both freshmen Andrew Paul and Roderick Robinson — who has been one of the few healthy backs recently — have had a great camp. Robinson finished second on the team with 50 rushing yards and a touchdown in Week 1.
The team will likely continue to rely on both Paul and Robinson as the team heads into its Week 2 matchup against Ball State, as the rest of the team continues to get healthy.
Walk-ons like Cash Jones, Sevaughn Clark and Len’Neth Whitehead will also likely see significant playing time and should help keep the offense running smoothly despite Branson Robinson being out for the season and Edwards returning later in the year.
back room, Smart said that he and his staff are looking all across the roster for possibilities in the backfield. One surprise contender to see snaps at the position is tight end Brock Bowers. The Associated Press preseason All-American is one of the best offensive players in football this upcoming season and as proficient as he is at catching and blocking, he’s just as proficient as a runner.
Bowers, a former high school running back, has had 165 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 13 carries in his collegiate career so far. His 75-yard touchdown run against Kent State last season demonstrated that he has the long speed to take it the distance. While he mostly operates on end-arounds from the wide receiver or tight end position, it’s possible that he could line up in the backfield at some point this season. Bowers scored a 3-yard rushing touchdown in Week 1 for Georgia’s first points of the season.
“Kendall’s dying to get out there,” Smart said. “He’s got a great heart, great soul. He loves this program. He’ll give anything to this program and it kills him not to be out there. You know he didn’t really go through camp. He worked out, he ran, he did what he had to do, but he could not get himself in playing shape just by camp.”
Fellow senior Daijun Edwards is dealing with an MCL injury, but Smart said he’s been progressing well. Smart also
“We’ve got capable backs there, and we’ve got people around them to get the ball to,” Smart said. “I don’t see that changing who we are offensively. It probably just makes another [potential] injury more significant. It makes you rethink what special teams roles you want the backs playing because you’ve got to be aware at what point there’s a drop-off.”
While there are still some healthy players in the running
“I’d be open to it,” Bowers said. “It’s fun when you get the ball in your hands and try to make something happen, so if they told me to go to running back, I’d do whatever.”
While the running backs are riddled with injuries and questions, certain players like Roderick Robinson or possibly even Bowers will need to step up to fill the gaps left by the injured veterans in the room.
Bo Underwood
Georgia will play its second of four consecutive home games on Sept. 9, when the Ball State Cardinals land in Athens.
The Cardinals are coming off of a 5-7 record last year, including 3-5 in Mid-American Conference play. Their twoyear bowl game streak under head coach Mike Neu was broken after the Cardinals started the year off 5-4 and then lost their last three games. It’s worth noting, however, that all three of these losses came against bowl teams and were one score games, save for their 32-18 loss to Ohio, which was still an eight-point game entering the fourth quarter.
Ball State shared a common opponent with Georgia last season in Tennessee, but fared much worse than the Bulldogs did. Ball State had the privilege of being the Volunteers’ season opener and were rewarded with a 59-10 blowout that served as the nation’s first glimpse of the 2022 Volunteer offense. They started another SEC East team’s season this year when they traveled to Kentucky. After taking a 7-3 lead over the Wildcats in the first quarter, Ball State lost 44-15.
Cooper ran for 90 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. Cooper’s performance was the single-highest rushing total the Bulldogs surrendered to a player all season, so it’s hard to imagine Georgia will be thrilled to see him in the backfield again.
“[Cooper is a] downhill, really physical power runner. Good back,” head coach Kirby Smart said. “Our guys were talking about just this morning, about how powerful he is and how ironic it is that you’re getting to play him again at a different school in the same conference. We have a lot of respect for him.”
That aforementioned Kent State game is the only time Georgia has played a team from the MAC under Smart. The Bulldogs are 5-1 all-time against the conference, and this is their first time playing Ball State. The fact that Georgia had some trouble against a MAC team last year — in large part because of a player who is now on Ball State — is reason to not immediately write Ball State off as an easy opponent.
“On to Ball State, they’ve got a really good football team,” Smart said. “Got a lot of respect for their conference. We played Kent State out of their conference last year and the MAC has done an incredible job of creating a good football environment and some really good football teams.”
However, this is a 5-7 team going up against Georgia, a team with more national championships than losses over the past two years. Although it’s hard for fans to get excited about these types of games, this year’s Bulldogs are more in need of tune-up games than they’ve been in a while.
reps in this game between veterans like Nazir Stackhouse and Zion Logue or younger guys like Jordan Hall and Christen Miller.
Georgia also needs to fill Kelee Ringo’s starting spot at cornerback. Junior Kamari Lassiter has locked up the other spot, as he did last season, but a handful of defensive backs like Julian Humphrey and Daylen Everette have been competing to line up on the other side. Everette started against the Skyhawks but Humphrey rotated in throughout the game. Georgia’s game against Ball State may help determine who has the inside track on the other starting corner job.
The game is unlikely to be pivotal for the Bulldogs. It’s pretty likely that they’ll roll, considering Georgia’s 48-7 victory in Week 1 and Ball State’s 44-14 loss to Kentucky. However, the team is going up against a familiar face who gave them some trouble last year. And early in the season, every game against a Group of Five team is an opportunity to iron out the kinks and form an identity for this new-look Georgia team.
X Ball State is no stranger to the SEC East. The Cardinals opened last season with a 59-10 loss to Tennessee on the road, and lost a 44-14 road game to Kentucky in this year’s season opener.
Ball
Ball State’s offense should look a lot different than it did in 2022. Last year’s attack ran through running back Carson Steele, a unique personality with flowing blonde hair and a pet alligator named Crocky-J. Steele ran for 1,556 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Cardinals, but transferred to UCLA after the season, where he could be one of college football’s most impactful transfers of the year. Ball State replaced Steele with Kent State transfer Marquez Cooper. When Kent State faced Georgia last year,
There’s a new quarterback under center, a new offensive coordinator and a ton of questions to answer about the running back and receiver rooms. The best way to sort all of that out is to get the offense some real in-game reps and figure out what works and what doesn’t.
This will be quarterback Carson Beck’s second-career start and his second game ever with Mike Bobo calling the shots for the offense. Beck and the offense started slow in Week 1 but picked up steam as the game went on. Fans can expect a lot of players platooning in and out of the lineup as Georgia uses these early September games to discover what type of offense is in store for the team.
Georgia’s defense has remained more consistent from last season than the offense has, but it has its fair share of question marks as well. Smart has lamented the lack of depth and “pop” on this year’s defensive line in comparison to years past, so it’ll be interesting to see who gets more
X The Cardinals relied heavily on running back Carson Steele last season. The then-sophomore rushed for 1,556 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2022, but Ball State will need to get that production elsewhere now that Steele has transferred to UCLA.
X The Cardinals struggled mightily against the run last year, allowing the third-most rushing yards in their conference last season. By comparison, Georgia allowed the second-fewest rushing yards in the country with just 1,001.
X Cardinals head coach Mike Neu’s two-year bowl game streak was snapped in 2022. Ball State started 5-4 but lost its final three games of the year to finish just short of bowl eligibility.
John James
Frank W. “Sonny” Seiler died in his hometown of Savannah, Georgia, on Aug. 28 after battling an illness. He was 90 years old.
Seiler, a 1956 graduate from the University of Georgia, was the owner of the long line of English Bulldogs that have served as Georgia’s mascots for the past 67 years. During that time, Uga has earned a number of accolades, including “Nation’s Best Mascot” by Sports Illustrated in 1997.
“I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to the Seiler family on behalf of the entire Bulldog Nation,” UGA President Jere W. Morehead said in a release from the UGA Athletic Association. “Sonny’s contributions to the University of Georgia as a student and alumnus were innumerable, and his loyalty to his alma mater was unmatched. His legacy will live on forever in the history and traditions of this great institution.”
Professionally, Seiler was a prominent attorney in Savannah, and was most notably the lead defense counsel in the murder trials of Jim Williams. Those trials were documented by John Berendt in his book “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.”
Seiler was also a member of the UGA Athletic Association’s Board of Directors and the President of the UGA National Alumni Association, among a number of other roles he undertook in service to the university. In 2001, he and his wife Cecelia were given the UGA Alumni Association’s National Alumni Merit Award, the most illustrious honor presented by the university to its alumni.
The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame also gave Seiler the Erk Russell Spirit Award, which recognizes contributions to sports that reflect the enthusiasm and passion Russell brought to the game of football.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sonny Seiler,” athletic director Josh Brooks said in the release. “Mr. Seiler was a dear friend who I cherished and will miss very much. He was an iconic figure at the University of Georgia for the past almost 70 years. Because of his generosity, Uga is the most beloved and recognizable mascot in all of college athletics. We owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for building a legacy that will continue for years to come.”
Seiler died nine years after his wife, Cecelia. They are survived by their four children, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild, all of whom remain in Georgia. Charles Seiler — one of Sonny Seiler’s children and the current caretaker of Uga — attended Georgia’s game against UT Martin on Sept. 2 in Sanford Stadium.
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A.J. Harris was one of the biggest names in the Bulldogs’ most recent recruiting cycle and is one of the defensive backs who could receive playing time opposite Kamari Lassiter. Coming out of high school, Harris was a five-star prospect, the second overall corner in the 2023 class and the highest-rated player out of Alabama. Harris received some first team reps in camp and his combination of range, physicality and speed could earn him more playing time throughout the season.
Ball State running back Marquez Cooper
The Bulldogs are not a new opponent for redshirt junior Marquez Cooper, who suited for the Kent State Golden Eagles last season. In Cooper’s last contest against the Bulldogs he totaled 90 rushing yards and a touchdown against an impressive defensive front. Cooper will look to gain more success on the ground than the Skyhawk running backs in Week 1 — who only 87 totalled combined yards against the Bulldogs defense.
Georgia running back Andrew Paul
Redshirt freshman Andrew Paul is a young running back with plenty of opportunity, as the injury statuses of Daijun Edwards, Kendall Milton and Branson Robinson have opened the door for a player like Paul to receive carries. The former three-star out of Texas totaled 2,616 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns in his senior year of high school. Paul had four carries for 18 yards in Week 1 against UT Martin. After missing last year with a torn ACL, he could make an impact in the second game of his collegiate career.
Ty Robinson made the shift from the Power Five to the Group of Five as a transfer from the University of Colorado. After the addition of head coach Deion Sanders, Robinson added his name into the transfer portal and committed to Ball State in April. Robinson recorded five catches for 90 yards and a touchdown against Kentucky in Ball State’s season opener. If Robinson can continue on his early season success, he could help Ball State improve on its 5-7 record from the previous season.
Georgia outside linebacker Chaz Chambliss
Chaz Chambliss is expected to play a significant role in Georgia’s defense this year, shifting from his prior responsibilities as a reserve linebacker who played primarily on special teams. Last season, Chambliss totaled 16 total tackles and two sacks. After waiting for his chance to receive playing time, he could be set to breakout in a major way after sitting behind Nolan Smith and Robert Beal Jr. for the past two seasons.
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[Seiler’s] legacy will live on forever in the history and traditions of this great institution.
JERE W. MOREHEAD | UGA PRESIDENTSonny Seiler at UGA’s game against the Missouri Tigers at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015. COURTESY/UGA ATHLETICS Georgia cornerback A.J. Harris Uga XI Boom looks to the crowd during the first half of G-Day on Saturday, April 15, 2023. LANEY MARTIN/STAFF
Entering the 2023 offseason, the Georgia defense needed a leader.
For the second-straight season, the Bulldogs watched as defender after defender was drafted into the NFL, propelled by their collegiate success to a future in professional football. Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, Kelee Ringo, Christopher Smith and others all found themselves with new homes and new teammates, while the Bulldogs were left looking for answers.
Georgia has talent up and down the defense, but when it comes to a voice in the locker room — someone to set an example and unite the team when times get tough — head coach Kirby Smart and his staff looked to the linebackers. According to them, Jamon “Pop” Dumas-Johnson answered the call.
“I’ve been incredibly pleased with Pop through this early part of camp – his leadership and how vocal he is,” Georgia co-defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach Glenn Schumann said. “His overall effort and approach to practice on a day to day is consistent, and we need that from him. He wants to be significantly better
than he was last year, and he’s practicing like that’s what he wants to do.”
Improving on last season could be a tall task for Dumas-Johnson, who finished second on the team in both tackles (70) and sacks (four) in 2022. After the season, the junior earned an All-SEC second team nomination from the Associated Press, and he finished as a finalist for the Butkus Award, given to the best linebacker in college football.
Dumas-Johnson is no stranger to excellent linebacker play. He watched Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker and Channing Tindall fly around the field en route to Georgia’s national championship two seasons ago. Dumas-Johnson said he learned the importance of communication from watching them, something he’s trying to instill in this year’s defense.
“I just feel like we’ve got to have connection,” Dumas-Johnson said. “At the end of the day, connection brings a team together and that’s something we believe in.”
That voice in the locker room hasn’t gone unnoticed. From his position at the heart of the defense, Dumas-Johnson keeps everyone constantly connected. He makes sure all the disparate parts of the defense are
aware of each intricate detail required to keep a defense in rhythm — from the defensive coordinator’s play call to the opposing quarterback’s snap count and everything in between.
defense is not the same without his voice. As a middle linebacker, you have to take on that role and that’s something he doesn’t take lightly. He embraces it. He comes into work each day in, day out.”
Georgia fans have seen plenty of linebackers shine in Athens. Over the past decade, the Bulldogs have had 15 players drafted to the NFL from that position, including five in the first round.
Dumas-Johnson has a chance to follow in their footsteps as the next great Georgia linebacker, and many news outlets are expecting a big year from him in 2023. He was named to the Preseason All-SEC First Team, the AP Preseason All-America First Team and the Butkus Award watch list.
Through his role as the defense’s conductor, Dumas-Johnson has earned the respect of both newcomers and veterans alike. Defensive back Javon Bullard has played with Dumas-Johnson since the pair arrived at Georgia in 2021, and Bullard emphasized Dumas-Johnson’s value to the team.
“This defense would not be the same without Jamon,” Bullard said. “This
However, Dumas-Johnson said he has bigger aspirations than personal achievements this season. The Bulldogs have a chance to accomplish something unprecedented this year, and Dumas-Johnson said he wants to help them carve out their place in college football history.
“My goal is for the team to do what we came to do,” Dumas-Johnson said. “I’m not really worried about my own goals anymore … Team success means individual success. That’s why we’re here.”
This defense would not be the same without Jamon. This defense is not the same without his voice.
JAVON BULLARD | GEORGIA DEFENSIVE BACK
JUNIOR FINANCE MAJOR
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Record Prediction: 12-0
“It makes me just feel like the regular season doesn’t really matter. Because, everybody that we play isn’t good already when we go play them. If you’re blowing out a team like a UT Martin or something like that, that doesn’t really appeal to me. So I have to see what you guys are going to do.”
SENIOR PUBLIC RELATIONS MAJOR
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
Record Prediction: 12-0
“I think it’s just more of like ‘If you go [to the game] I’ll go’ type of thing. But people still want to go. Obviously we love the Dawgs and support them. So [I] think people are gonna go regardless just for the vibe, but it’s not like people are pressed to go.”
SENIOR MARKETING MAJOR
SUWANEE, GEORGIA
Record Prediction: 12-0
“It’s definitely a lot easier. Years past have been a little harder, this year is pretty easy. Our next year is a really hard schedule like Texas. At the end of the day I want to see my team win. But, at the same time, a blowout is never fun. It’s never entertaining.”
Record Prediction: 12-0
“I would definitely say the schedule got a little easier. We still have some tough teams compared to other years. But, obviously we don’t play Alabama ... Everyone loves a close game. We like when it goes down to the wire. But every once in a while, I don’t think a blowout is that bad.”
