Weapons out wide
Who will step up for Georgia at wide receiver?
Bo Underwood
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck is one of the most recognizable names in all of college football, appearing in everything from energy drink ads to preseason All-American lists. Less visible, though, are the receivers who Beck will be throwing to in 2024, especially after 2023 starter Rara Thomas was dismissed from the team.
All the old Georgia greats at quarterback had their guys. Aaron Murray had Malcolm Mitchell, and Matthew Stafford had A.J. Green. Even Stetson Bennett had rising NFL stars George Pickens and Adonai Mitchell. Beck could be next on that list of fabled Georgia quarterbacks, but he lacks a bona fide “go-to-guy.”
That “go-to-guy” last year was, of course, tight end Brock Bowers, who led Georgia in receiving. With him and wide receivers Ladd McConkey and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint off to the NFL, Georgia now needs to replace a large chunk of its production through the air. Oscar Delp is slated to take over for Bowers at tight end, but the plan at receiver is a bit muddier. Georgia dealt with some injuries at the position in fall camp, which limited the group’s ability to build a connection with Beck.
“I think that’s a work in progress because we don’t have a complete full deck out there,” head coach Kirby Smart said of the room’s chemistry in camp. “I would venture to say everybody in the country is that way because you’ve got one wideout out, maybe a tight end out, maybe a back out, and the next thing you know, you don’t have everybody out there. You’re really trying to develop two things — is chemistry with your number ones more important than developing your number twos?”
The main returners for Georgia at wideout are junior Dillon Bell and senior Dominic Lovett. Bell was a fixture of the offense last year at both wideout and running back, due to some injuries in that room, and he caught 29 passes for 355 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 157 yards and two touchdowns on 25 attempts. While his role at running back will likely dissipate unless another emergency arises, Bell will still have a starting job at wide receiver.
Lovett is Georgia’s leading returning receiver from 2023 with 613 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 54 catches. He will once again be Georgia’s starting slot receiver, where he will serve as a valuable target for Beck over the middle and provide a threat after the catch.
“All of us grew more comfortable with the playbook [this offseason],” Lovett said. “Understanding the scheme and not just looking at where you are on the field, but having conceptual learning. Learning the whole play instead of just knowing your position.”
The next most prominent returning receiver is senior Arian Smith, who started against Clemson in Week 1 and
recorded a team-high five catches. Smith is one of the fastest players in college football, but his struggles with injuries and route running throughout his career have limited his opportunities to get on the field. Unless his all-around ability is vastly improved, expect to see Smith and Beck connect on a few deep balls this year, but not much else.
Understanding the scheme and not just looking at where you are on the field, but having conceptual learning. Learning the whole play instead of just knowing your position.
DOMINIC LOVETT | RECEIVER
So, now the question becomes — who could step up and make an impact in 2024 that didn’t last year? Anthony Evans III took over as Georgia’s main punt returner. His
speed and shiftiness make him another candidate for the role of “Z” receiver, the receiver that lines up off the line of scrimmage, which McConkey played last year. Freshmen Sacovie White and Nitro Tuggle are also in the mix, but it will be an uphill battle for any first-year player to get significant reps in this offense.
There are some other options who weren’t in Athens last year. A trio of transfers joined the receiver room this offseason in Colbie Young (formerly at Miami), London Humphreys (formerly at Vanderbilt) and Michael Jackson III (formerly at USC). Of the three, Young is probably the best replacement for Thomas, as he stands close to him at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds and offers similar one-on-one ability. But, he has dealt with some injuries in camp.
“Colbie’s been dealing with a hamstring some, so he hasn’t been 100 percent,” Smart said in late August. “London [Humphreys] had a big jump from scrimmage one to scrimmage two. Michael Jackson is a guy that’s been really reliable for us, a hard worker, competitor, continues to improve and get better. I’m pleased with all three of those guys.”
All three transfers worked with the team last spring, which gave them each a chance to learn the offense and acclimate themselves. It paid off in Week 1, with both Humphreys and Young catching touchdowns and Humphreys even leading the team in receiving. As the season progresses, each transfer receiver’s role in the offense will be worth monitoring even more.
Georgia wide receiver Dillon Bell (86) runs during the NCAA college football game between Georgia and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. Georgia won 38-10. PHOTO/LANDEN TODD
After opening Week 1 with a dominant 34-3 victory over the Clemson Tigers, the Georgia Bulldogs are back in Athens for their home opener against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles. The matchup at Sanford Stadium is expected to provide insight into the depth of the roster and how the Bulldogs handle early-season adjustments. Georgia is coming into the game with a blend of veteran talent and emerging stars on both sides of the ball, including a retooled offensive line and a commanding secondary led by 2024 AP-preseason All-American Malaki Starks.
Bulldog dominance
Georgia and Tennessee Tech have faced off before, with Georgia winning the most recent matchup in 2009 by a score of 38-0. Historically, the Bulldogs are 24-0 all-time against FCS schools.
While Tennessee Tech has had moments of success within the Ohio Valley Conference, it has yet to consistently be able to compete with the top teams in its division, let alone national powerhouses like Georgia. Its last winning season came in 2011, and it has struggled to regain its footing ever since. In 2023, Tennessee Tech finished with a 3-8 record, including a dismal 1-6 mark in conference play.
Beck and the offensive gameplan
Carson Beck’s position as arguably the nation’s best quarterback is one of the most-watched storylines this season. He had high expectations filling in for two-time national champion Stetson Bennett, and they are even higher now. After a tough first test against Clemson’s defense, Beck and the offense should view the game against Tennessee Tech as an opportunity to solidify their identity even further.
For Georgia to dominate as expected, Beck will have to continue to develop chemistry with his receivers, who have been forced to step up following the dismissal of Rara
Thomas from the team. Tennessee Tech, who gave up over 25 points per game last year to FCS opponents, should pose little threat to Georgia’s defense. However, for Beck, this game is about staying disciplined, avoiding turnovers and executing efficiently in the red zone.
The Golden Eagles allowed an average of 306 yards per game in 2023, and their subpar defense should offer Beck and the Bulldogs an opportunity to refine their passing game. The Bulldogs should establish a rhythm early and look to hammer down on fundamentals that can help translate into success against tougher opponents down the line.
With the odds of a Georgia victory hovering around 99%, Beck’s focus should be on polishing the offensive scheme and ensuring the team avoids any complacency or ill-timed penalties. If he can do that, Georgia should cruise comfortably and be well-prepared for its grueling SEC schedule that lies ahead.
Defensive rundown
While much of the attention is on Georgia’s offense, the defense remains one of the most fearsome units. Georgia has built its recent success on the back of a defense that allowed only about 15 points per game last season, stifling both SEC powerhouses and non-conference opponents. Against Tennessee Tech, the Bulldogs’ defense should be able to impose its will, as the Golden Eagles’ offense averaged just 17.2 points per game in 2023, ranking No. 106 in scoring in the FCS. Their offensive line also struggled to protect the quarterback, allowing 32 sacks over the course of the season. Georgia’s front seven will likely dominate the trenches and disrupt Tennessee Tech’s rhythm, despite losing several starters from the year prior.
One player to watch is defensive back Starks, a potential first-round NFL pick who brings speed and power to the Bulldogs’ secondary. Starks is coming off a huge game against the Clemson Tigers where he hauled in an impressive interception.
“He is a great kid from a great family, and that’s what makes Malaki special,” head coach Kirby Smart said. The matchup against Tennessee Tech could serve as a tune-up for Starks and the rest of Georgia’s defense as they get ready for their first SEC game of the year against Kentucky the following week.
He is a great kid from a great family, and that’s what makes Malaki special.
KIRBY SMART | HEAD COACH
Predictions and expectations
This game is expected to be one-sided, with Georgia heavily favored. Most betting lines have the Bulldogs favored by more than 40 points, and it’s hard to see Tennessee Tech putting up much of a fight against Georgia’s first-round talent on both sides of the ball.
For Georgia, the goal during the game will be to stay healthy, work out any kinks and build depth for the rest of the season. Expect Smart to rotate in plenty of backups, especially in the second half, as the Bulldogs look to keep their starters fresh for their SEC opener.
Ultimately, this game will allow Georgia to establish chemistry along the offensive line and give Carson Beck more reps in a low-pressure environment. With the talent disparity between the two teams, Georgia should cruise to a comfortable victory.
Final Prediction: Georgia 52, Tennessee Tech 7
Andy Mathis
The crowd cheers during a NCAA college football game between South Carolina and Georgia at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Georgia won 24-14. PHOTO/LANDEN TODD
Stacking the deck
Georgia running back room rife with talent
McDaniel
Owen
A year after leading the SEC in rushing yards and touchdowns, the Georgia running back room is primed for another big season. The Bulldogs’ running back group is arguably the most talented position group on the team, with six former four-star recruits in the room.
However, for a school that is commonly dubbed “RBU,” Georgia has only produced one NFL draft selection — Kenny McIntosh, seventh round pick in 2023 — from its running back room in the last two years. Junior transfer Trevor Etienne could buck that trend, however.
An explosive and shifty ballcarrier, Etienne is expected to be the featured back for Georgia this season after two years at Florida. He ruffled some Gator scales in February when he revealed the reasoning behind his decision to transfer to Florida’s biggest rival.
“I could stay and be running back two on a losing team, or go somewhere and possibly be running back one and win a natty,” Etienne said on the Real Talk Player Podcast.
Redshirt sophomore Branson Robinson will back up Etienne this season. In his limited snaps as a Bulldog, Robinson has already received comparisons to former Georgia star Nick Chubb due to his stocky, muscular build and
north-and-south running style.
Robinson missed the entirety of the 2023-24 season with a ruptured patellar tendon injury, which he suffered just 11 days before the first game, but he has worked hard to get back to 100%.
“That is a grueling injury to go through and work all the way back to the point where he didn’t get to go through all of spring,” head coach Kirby Smart said of Robinson. “This fall camp has been big for him in terms of confidence. He’s gained confidence in special teams. He’s gained confidence through reps.”
Sophomore Roderick Robinson II is also expected to get work this season. Robinson II saw action in five games last season — experience that will make him an excellent second option when Etienne needs a breather.
Robinson II is working back from a turf toe injury that required surgery, so he will likely be unavailable or very limited for the first few games of this season. In his absence, look for true freshman Nate Frazier or redshirt junior Cash Jones to step into the rotation.
There may be some new faces in the Georgia backfield, but make no mistake about it, the Bulldogs will not shy away from pounding the rock with a talented running back group like this.
NUMBERS TO KNOW: Week 2
#86
Georgia wide receiver Dillon Bell
Georgia will be looking to fill its wide receiver holes this season. Eyes are on junior Dillon Bell, who recorded 29 receptions for 355 yards and two touchdowns in the 2023 season, to fill that spot. As a sophomore, Bell showed his ability to deliver, highlighted by last season’s game against Tennessee where he recorded five receptions, 90 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown and one passing touchdown.
Tennessee Tech linebacker Aaron Swafford
Linebacker Aaron Swafford will be a key component for Tennessee Tech to pick up some wins this season, as he finished his sophomore season with a team-leading 72 tackles. He also recorded three sacks and picked off two passes in 11 games last season. Swafford is the engine of the Golden Eagles’ defense and will need to step up even more in 2024 to finally secure a winning record.
Georgia tight end Oscar Delp
#19
Junior Oscar Delp has some big shoes to fill this season, as he follows Brock Bowers. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Delp finished his sophomore season with 24 receptions for 284 yards and three touchdowns. Six of the ten tight ends on Georgia’s roster this season are either freshmen or redshirt freshmen, leaving Delp the chance to step up as a leader this year.
Tennessee Tech quarterback Jordyn Potts
Injuries to other Tennessee Tech quarterbacks last season left Jordyn Potts in the starting quarterback position as a wide-eyed freshman. He struggled with consistency, only completing 53% of his passes for 1,132 yards, eight touchdowns and six interceptions. With very few receivers returning this season, Potts had to learn how to work with a whole new slate of receivers during the offseason. He’s flashed potential but will need to prove it.
#78
Georgia defensive lineman Nazir Stackhouse
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#5
Nazir Stackhouse was a key piece for the Bulldogs’ defensive line last season, starting in all 14 games and picking up 24 tackles, including three for loss. The 6-foot-3, 320-pound lineman recorded his first career interception on an unforgettable fourth quarter play against Missouri, and also notched four tackles in the SEC Championship game against Alabama. He is among the most experienced players on the team.
Tennessee Tech wide receiver DJ Linkins
After losing three starting receivers at the conclusion of last season, junior DJ Linkins is one of the most notable transfers joining Tennessee Tech’s offense this season. Linkins ended last season with 31 receptions for 413 yards and one touchdown, averaging 37.5 receiving yards per game. The junior notched a career high 110 yards on five catches against Delaware last season. He stands at 6-foot-4 and could emerge as a threat for Potts in the deep passing game.
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Georgia running back Branson Robinson (22) runs the ball during a game against the University of Florida at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida, on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. PHOTO/JESSICA GRATIGNY
All smiles for another year
Smael Mondon Jr. returns for one final season
At the end of the regular season last year, Smael Mondon
Jr. had a decision to make: The linebacker could either declare for the NFL Draft or return to the Bulldogs. He chose one more season between the hedges.
“I just wanted to finish things the right way,” Mondon told reporters in March. “I was kind of banged up throughout the year, and at the end of the season, we didn’t really finish off how we wanted to.”
Foot surgery kept Mondon out of Georgia’s spring practice. The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder initially suffered the injury last spring but played through it before the bone broke. Although he admitted the injury nagged him throughout the season, Mondon did not want to use it as an excuse.
“Everybody’s out there hurting,” Mondon said. “So I’m [not] going to make [any] excuses about it.”
This season, Mondon is the leader of a relatively young linebacker room. The four-year veteran said he is trying to “help” and “guide” the younger Bulldogs, and his
teammates have taken notice.
“He’s vocal,” sophomore Damon Wilson II said of Mondon. “He’s loud. He’s always calling the plays, and he’s always doing the right thing.”
Wilson shined playing on the outside for the Bulldogs last season, while the now-sophomore duo of CJ Allen and Raylen Wilson teamed with Mondon on the inside. All four, along with third-year Jalon Walker, aim to wreak havoc on the star-studded opposing offenses featured on Georgia’s schedule.
Mondon’s speed and intuition make him stand out on an always talented Georgia defense. Despite playing through injury in 2023, he is the Bulldogs’ top returning tackler with 68 stops, three sacks and five tackles for loss.
His most notable play came against Florida and running back Trevor Etienne, who is now a teammate of Mondon’s. At the start of the second quarter, the Gators lined up in a Wildcat formation on fourth down. Once he got the snap, Etienne appeared to try and throw a pass on a trick play. The running back had less than five seconds before he was
on the ground, courtesy of Mondon.
“That was really the first thing I said to [Etienne] when I saw him was like ‘why y’all try to do that?’” Mondon joked. Mondon’s versatility allows him to make plays such as the one against Florida. The Bulldogs can have him drop into coverage, rush the passer or move sideline-to-sideline. His ability to play anywhere translates to playing time for the former 5-star, who received snaps in 15, 13 and 13 games through his three collegiate seasons thus far. Mondon’s physical stature is also a suitable fit for Georgia’s mint defense. The scheme prioritizes smaller, faster linebackers that can run and scrape. Mondon’s blitz capability and quickness allow him to thrive in the package, which the Bulldogs employ to limit spread offenses. With a schedule featuring quarterbacks such as Quinn Ewers, Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe and former Bulldog Brock Vandagriff, Mondon’s role will be important in limiting explosive offenses, and if executed correctly, a third national championship in four years would be a fitting way for Mondon to end his Georgia career.
Olivia Sayer
Georgia inside linebacker Smael Mondon, Jr. (2) in action during a NCAA college football game
between Vanderbilt and Georgia at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. Georgia won 37-20. PHOTO/MADY MERTENS
Georgia inside linebacker Smael Mondon, Jr. (2) makes a tackle during a NCAA college football game
between Vanderbilt and Georgia at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. Georgia won 37-20. PHOTO/MADY MERTENS
Banged up Bulldogs
A look at the injury report for Georgia football
Bo Underwood
Georgia was fortunate to not have any catastrophic injuries this offseason, but that doesn’t mean the team is completely healthy either. The Red & Black highlights some of the Bulldogs whose injury situations are worth monitoring as the season continues to get underway.
The most deflating news out of last year’s fall camp was the injury to running back Branson Robinson, who ruptured his patella tendon and missed the entire 2023 season. The news surrounding his recovery was encouraging at every turn, though, and Robinson is now making a full return after his career was in jeopardy just a few years ago.
“He’s got an incredible mentality,” guard Dylan Fairchild said of Robinson. “He was dealt some hard hands just with the injuries that he had being back to back. There’s a lot of guys on the team, me being one of them, [that] felt bad for him, but I don’t think he had an ounce of feeling sorry or self-pity in him. He was just ready to get back on the field and it shows. It shows in the way he shows up every day.”
The other Robinson in Georgia’s running back room, Roderick Robinson II, is also dealing with an injury, and his prognosis is more unclear. He has been walking in a boot
THE MOMENT WHEN EVERYTHING CLICKS
and missed Georgia’s season opener against Clemson with what the team is officially calling a turf toe injury. Smart said Robinson II has had surgery on his toe but a timetable for his return is unclear.
Georgia’s running back room wasn’t as dominant last season as it’s been in years past, although Robinson II was a bright spot as a true freshman. With him out, Georgia will be down its leading returning rusher from last year. Though the room has been overhauled with the arrivals of Trevor Etienne and three freshmen, the Bulldogs would like to still have one of their most promising youngsters from last year in the mix.
“It will probably be week to week,” Smart said of Robinson II’s availability. “Not sure how long it will take in terms of the surgery.”
One injury that persisted long into fall camp was that of center Jared Wilson. Though he was able to return for the Clemson game, Wilson missed a chunk of fall camp with an achilles injury. In his absence, Georgia shuffled the deck around at offensive line with senior guard Tate Ratledge kicking in to center. Wilson has since returned, but his achilles and subsequently Georgia’s backup center position should be something to monitor.
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The Bulldogs’ defensive line is also a bit banged up at the moment. Senior leader Warren Brinson missed all of camp with an achilles injury, which was not a welcome sign for a younger defensive line group in need of veteran presence. He got hurt again against Clemson and did not return to the game. With Nazir Stackhouse as the only other veteran on the line, it could be a major hit if Brinson ends up missing more time. Stackhouse also left the Clemson game with an injury but later returned, “With those guys, we’ve got to be smart about how we practice them, the reps they take, do they stunt growth?” Smart said of Stackhouse and Brinson. “If they stunt growth, then maybe we don’t get better for the next year. I certainly didn’t sit on this podium last year this time thinking those two guys would be back. So, the fact they were was a luxury in terms of depth, but we still have to get better.”
Redshirt freshman Xzavier McLeod, who transferred in from South Carolina, has also been out with an undisclosed injury. The Bulldogs have been waiting on someone to step up from the defensive line, and it’s not good to see that list of options dwindle. Georgia needs all the depth that it can muster in the trench.
Georgia running back Roderick Robinson II (0) runs with the ball during the second half of a NCAA college football game between Ball State and Georgia at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. PHOTO/LANEY MARTIN
