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2017 Outlook
he second year of the Kirby Smart Era will begin in March with the Georgia Bulldogs continuing to work toward SEC and national prominence. The Bulldogs went 8-5 under Smart last season, including 4-4 against Southeastern Conference foes. Georgia capped the campaign with a victory over TCU in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, serving as a springboard into 2017. When the Bulldogs start practicing, they will do so back in the familiar auspices of the shadow of Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall, which now includes the highly anticipated Indoor Athletic Facility. But structures aside, there is even more to be excited about heading into this spring. Georgia’s top three rushers are back for 2017, led by all-star candidates Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. The rising seniors combined for just shy of 2,000 yards and 12 touchdowns last season and have more than 5,800 yards and 46 touchdowns for their careers. Quarterback Jacob Eason also returns for his second season after starting as a true freshman in 2016. He passed for more than 2,400 yards and 16 touchdowns with a solid percentage of 55.1. He will have plenty of targets again this year as all of the tight ends and a deep receiving corps are back in the fold. Defensively, the Bulldogs’ top five tacklers from 2016 -- linebackers Roquan Smith, Natrez Patrick and Davin Bellamy, lineman Trenton Thompson, and safety Aaron Davis -- will be wearing red and black again. Georgia picked off 15 passes a year ago, with players accounting for nine of those coming back. Kicker Rodrigo Blankenship was reliable throughout his freshman season as he was 14-of-18 on field goals, including a last-second game-winner at Kentucky. The Bulldogs also assembled one of the nation’s best signing classes in February, the lion’s share of which will be in for summer and preseason workouts. But based on the players in the fold as of March, here is the forecast for spring practice:
QUARTERBACKS
Jacob Eason started the final 12 games of his freshman season and rode the roller coaster than most rookie quarterbacks ride. He finished the campaign with 2,430 yards (fourth all-time by a UGA freshman) and 16 touchdowns on 204-of-370 passing. Those figures featured two 300-yard passing efforts, including at Missouri, where he fired a last-minute game-winner. Jake Fromm, a High School All-American, enrolled early and will get valuable reps during spring practice. Fromm threw for more than 12,000 yards with 116 touchdowns in 46 career games. The Bulldogs also return Sam Vaughn at quarterback.
RUNNING BACKS
The decisions made by tailbacks Nick Chubb and Sony Michel to return for their senior seasons sent shockwaves through not just the SEC but also the nation. When healthy, Chubb and Michel make a tremendous 1-2 punch running the football. Chubb rolled up a team-best 1,130 yards and eight touchdowns last season. For his career, Chubb has 3,424 yards, second only to Herschel Walker on Georgia’s all-time list, and 29 touchdowns. Michel, the 2016 AutoZone Liberty Bowl Offensive MVP, added 840 yards and four touchdowns a year ago, and he has 2,411 yards and 17 scores for his Nick Chubb returns for his senior career. season as the program’s No. 2 alltime rusher with 3,424 yards.
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Georgia Football
Seniors Isaiah Wynn (left) and Sony Michel return as two of Georgia’s most experienced players on offense. Brian Herrien was a capable reserve last season, rushing for 363 yards and finding the end zone three times. Herrien and Elijah Holyfield logged critical snaps on special teams. This spring, Georgia’s coaches will take a look at Prather Hudson, Ian Donald-McIntyre and Dante Dixon. Christian Payne is back for his senior year as the Bulldogs’ road-paver at fullback. Payne also proved to be an effective receiver out of the backfield at times. Turner Fortin and Nick Moore are additional options at fullback.
WIDE RECEIVERS
This unit has a plethora of up-and-coming players. Terry Godwin is the Bulldogs’ leading returning receiver after ranking second a year ago with 397 yards on 38 catches. Riley Ridley pulled in 12 balls for 238 yards and two touchdowns, while Javon Wims hauled in 17 for 190 yards and one touchdown. Veterans Michael Chigbu, Tyler Simmons, Jayson Stanley and Shakenneth Williams also are back in the fold this spring. Georgia’s coaches will get a look at early enrollee Jeremiah Holloman, who was a High School All-American a year after rolling up 101 catches for 1,596 yards and 17 touchdowns during his prep career. The Bulldogs also have Patrick Burke, Willie Erdman, Davis Kelly, Josh Moran, Wyatt Payne, Cooper Saunders and Steven Van Tiflin for reps this spring.
TIGHT ENDS
The Bulldogs have stockpiled one of their best overall groups at tight end. Isaac Nauta was picked as a Freshman All-American after catching 29 passes for 361 yards and three touchdowns. Jeb Blazevich is the veteran leader of the group with 39 catches in 39 games and a service record that placed him on the 2016 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. Jordan Davis, Charlie Woerner and Jackson Harris have been key players on both offense and special teams. When another tight end is needed in short-yardage situations, tackle Aulden Bynum makes the shift. Justin Hurston, Miles McGinty and Lucas Stone also will be vying for playing time.
2017 Spring Guide