Outlook for 2016
T
he paradigm shift that accompanies every coaching transition is now firmly in place at Georgia, having begun in January of this year. After six months and a set of 15 spring practices, the time to measure the Bulldogs’ progress under new head coach Kirby Smart is quickly approaching. Those 15 practices last spring were some of the busiest in recent Georgia football history. Foremost, a new set of coaches began to implement their new way of doing things. They sought to find 10 new starters for 2016 -- three on offense, five on defense and two specialists -- and also began building depth from among 43 total returning lettermen, plus six true freshmen that enrolled in January. Following is an early look at this year’s Bulldogs:
QUARTERBACKS
Jim Chaney, Georgia’s new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, inherits two veterans and a heralded newcomer as signal callers. Greyson Lambert (6-5, 220, Sr.) started 12 of 13 games a year ago, completing 162-of-256 for 1,959 yards and 12 touchdowns. Lambert set the NCAA record for completion percentage in a game by completing 24-of-25 passes against South Carolina and he had just two interceptions all season. Brice Ramsey (6-3, 213, Jr.) hit on 21of-35 for 249 yards and a score in a reserve role. The Bulldogs also welcomed early enrollee Jacob Eason (6-5, 211, Fr.), regarded by some as the nation’s best prep signal-caller last year. Eason displayed enough glimpses of his considerable talent during the spring to hint of a bright future. Third-year walk-on Sam Vaughn (6-3, 189, RSo.) is the only other quarterback on the Bulldogs’ roster and will provide additional depth.
RUNNING BACKS
First-year assistant Dell McGee’s group was perilously thin during spring drills, so much that wideout Shaquery Wilson (6-1, 200, So.) transitioned to tailback midway through the month-long period. Nonetheless, McGee has an experienced group to work with, though fall workouts will begin amid some uncertainty. Tailback Sony Michel (5-11, 212, Jr.) paced the Bulldogs with 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground and he added another 270 yards and three scores receiving a year ago. Michel became the Bulldogs’ primary tailback at midseason when Nick Chubb (5-10, 220, Jr.) went down with a knee injury. Chubb, who rolled up 747 yards and seven touchdowns before his injury, has been a model of diligence during his rehabilitation process. Still, no one can accurately predict his availability for 2016 at this early stage. Brendan Douglas (5-11, 215, Sr.) gives Georgia a veteran presence, while Tae Crowder (6-3, 220, RFr.) got extensive work last spring and will contend for playing time. Highly regarded freshmen Elijah Holy-
Seniors Brandon Kublanow (C) and Greyson Lambert (QB) are two of eight returning starters for Georgia on offense.
field (5-11, 209) and Brian Herrien (6-0, 205) also figure to get ample opportunities for action early in their careers. Christian Payne (6-1, 232, Jr.) and Glenn Welch (6-3, 244, Jr.) are the Bulldogs’ experienced players at fullback. Georgia also has walk-ons Nick Moore (6-3, 245, So.), Kyle LeStrange (6-0, 233, Sr.) and Turner Fortin (6-1, 230, RFr.) available for duty.
WIDE RECEIVERS
This unit, led by first-year assistant coach James Coley, has a number of capable players, though many lack significant playing time. TaxSlayer Bowl MVP Terry Godwin (5-11, 174, So.) is the Bulldogs’ top returnee after hauling in 35 passes for 379 yards and two touchdowns. As the trigger man in the Wild Dog formation, Godwin also rushed and passed for a touchdown last year. Reggie Davis (6-0, 170, Sr.) and Isaiah McKenzie (5-8, 170, Jr.) caught 22 passes between them last year. Jayson Stanley (6-2, 204, So.) shared Most Improved honors among offensive players with lineman Lamont Gaillard after spring workouts. Michael Chigbu (6-2, 216, So.), Kenneth Towns (6-3, 202, Sr.), and Shakenneth Williams (6-1, 199, Jr.) saw action on both offense and special teams a year ago. Additionally, early enrollee Riley Ridley (6-2, 195, Fr.) showed promise during spring drills and the G-Day intrasquad game.
TIGHT ENDS
First-year assistant coach Shane Beamer takes over a group with both experience and depth. Jeb Blazevich (6-5, 248, Jr.) has career numbers of 33 catches for 413 yards and three touchdowns. Georgia also boasts Jackson Harris (6-6, 247, So.) and Jordan Davis (6-4, 235, Jr.), while Aulden Bynum (6-5, 268, Jr.) gives the Bulldogs options at both tight end and offensive tackle. Highly-rated Isaac Nauta (6-4, 237, Fr.) enrolled in January and cast himself solidly in the mix after a productive spring that included catching a TD pass in the G-Day game.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
The offensive line paved the way for 26 points, 192 rushing yards and 185 passing yards per game a year ago, and first-year assistant coach Sam Pittman inherits a unit with three starters returning. All-SEC second
Junior Sony Michel, a 6-game starter at tailback last season, led the Bulldogs in rushing, all-purpose yards and touchdowns in 2015.
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