2021 CFP SEASON PREVIEW AUTUMN 11

GEORGIA
#2 SEC EAST: CONF 7-2, HOME 3-0, AWAY 4-2, BOWL: W
Head Coach: Kirby Smart (6) OC: Todd Monken (2) DC: Dan Lanning (3)
OFFENSE:
QB: Returns former 5-star 6’3 JT Daniels (1231 YDS, 10 TD, 2 INT) who looked great after overcoming an injury that prevented him from starting
until the last 4 games. 2020 4-star 6’4 Carson Beck looked like the backup in the spring. Bringing in 5-star Brock Vandagriff who is the No.3
ranked QB of the 2021 class. Also returns senior Stetson Bennett (1179 YDS, 8 TD, 6 INT passing, 2 TD rushing).
RB: This is always a loaded position room. Returns 215lb Zamir White (779 YDS, 11 TD) who was the nation’s top RB recruit of the 2018 class.
Also returns 2018 4-star James Cook (303 YDS, 3 TD rushing, 225 YDS, 2 TD receiving), 2019 4-star Kenny McIntosh (251 YDS, 1 TD rushing, 111
YDS receiving), 2020 4-star Daijun Edwards (218 YDS, 1 TD) and 2020 4-star 220lb Kendall Milton (193 YDS).
WR: Returns 6’3 George Pickens (513 YDS, team high 6 TD) who was slowed down by nagging injuries in 2020 and tore his ACL in March, out
indefinitely. It looks like he will return mid to late season. One week later, Jermaine Burton (404 YDS, 3 TD), who finished 3 rd on the team in
receiving yards last season, hyperextended a knee in practice that required him to be carted off the field but did not require surgery. Also
returns Kearis Jackson (514 YDS, 3 TD), Arian Smith (86 YDS, 1 TD), 6’2 Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint (62 YDS, 1 TD) and Dominick Blaylock (missed
2020 for ACL injury and still recovering, 310 YDS, 5 TD in 2019). 6’4 freshman Adonai Mitchell could see playing time. Demetris Robertson (110
YDS) transferred to Auburn. The No.1 TE out of high school, Arik Gilbert (368 YDS, 2 TD) transferred in from LSU with plans to play WR for
Georgia until mid-August when he left the team to deal with “personal issues” according to Kirby Smart. It is unknown when he will rejoin the
team.
TE: Lost Tre McKitty (108 YDS, 1 TD) to the NFL. Returns 2020 5-star 6’7 Darnell Washington (166 YDS) and 6’7 John Fitzpatrick (95 YDS, 1 TD)
and who will both have a productive season again. Also returns 6’5 Brett Seither (12 YDS) and 2019 4-star 6’6 Ryland Goede could also see
playing time. Added 4-star Brock Bowers who was the No.3 ranked TE of the 2021 class.
OL: Lost C Trey Hill and OG Ben Cleveland to the NFL. Returns two of the best OTs in the country with 325lb Jamaree Salyer (rehabbing from
injury in spring) and 330lb Justin Shaffer. The third returning starter is 300lb Warren McClendon at RG, leaving center and LG open. 330lb Xavier
Truss and 305lb Warren Ericson are the favorites to fill in. If Truss plays LT, Salyer would play LG. In total, the unit returns a combined 38 career
starts.
DEFENSE:
DL: Lost DE Malik Herring (20 TOT, 2 sacks) to the NFL. DE Jermaine Johnson (14 TOT, 4 sacks) transferred to Florida State. Returns 315lb
Devonte Wyatt (25 TOT), 340lb Jordan Davis (16 TOT, 1 sack), 310lb Jalen Carter (14 TOT), 2019 5-star Travon Walker (13 TOT, 1 sack), 295lb
Zion Logue (8 TOT) and 300lb Julian Rochester (6 TOT). Teams will have a tough time getting anything going against this unit.
LB: Lost OLB Azeez Ojulari (31 TOT, led SEC with 9 sacks) and ILB Monty Rice (49 TOT, 1 sack) to the NFL. Starting ILB Nakobe Dean (team high
71 TOT, 1.5 sacks), who handled calls for the defense, missed spring practice while rehabbing from an offseason labrum surgery. Also returns
Quay Walker (43 TOT, 1 sack), Nolan Smith (22 TOT, 2.5 sacks), 2018 5-star Adam Anderson (14 TOT, 6.5 sacks) and Channing Tindall (13 TOT, 3
sacks).
SF: Lost Richard LeCounte III (26 TOT, 3 INT) to the NFL. Added Tykee Smith (career 111 tackles, 4 INT) who transferred in from West Virginia
where he was a two-year starter and could be the best safety in the country. Returns Lewis Cine (52 TOT) who is the only full time returning
starter in the secondary from last season. LeCounte’s backup last season, Christopher Smith (26 TOT) is back and has put on 10lbs of muscle
since the end of last season. Also returns Latavious Brini (11 TOT).
CB: Lost Mark Webb (21 TOT, 1 INT), Eric Stokes (20 TOT, 3 rd in SEC with 4 INT), Tyson Campbell (29 TOT, 1 INT) and DJ Daniel (9 TOT) to the
NFL. The third ranked CB of the 2019 class Tyrique Stevenson (34 TOT) transferred to Miami. The group got a needed boost when Derion
Kendrick (20 TOT, 1 sack, 1 INT) transferred in from Clemson where he was a starter last season. Although experience is not there, the position
is still talent rich with 6’3 Ameer Speed (3-star), Jalen Kimber (2 TOT, 4-star), Christopher Smith (2018 4-star), Kelee Ringo (true freshman 5-
star), Nyland Green (true freshman 4-star), and Lovasea Carroll (freshman 4-star RB). Former 4-star Brandon Turnage (No.16 CB of 2019)
transferred in from Alabama where he appeared in four games. 2020 4-star Major Burns (5 TOT in 6 games) transferred to LSU.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
KR: Returns Jack Podlesny (38/38 PAT, 13/16 FG) who also kicked off 21 times.
PR: Returns punter Jake Camarda (46.6 YD AVG) who also kicked off 41 times.
SPIN
Athens, GA - One of four SEC teams that return their starting QB and offensive coordinator. 8
starters are back on offense. JT Daniels will put up big numbers as long as his receivers can stay
healthy. Even with two starters gone on the offensive line, the rushing attack should shred
through defenses with the talent in this backfield. The title of best run defense of 2020 belonged
to Georgia, only surrendering 72.3 YDS/G. Eight players in the secondary have either transferred
out or gone to the NFL since the end of the 2020 season. Only 4 starters return on defense.
Georgia has the seventh best home win percentage (86.8%) since 2010. A win over Clemson in
week 1 would move the Dogs to No. 1 in the polls. A loss would mean UGA would have to win out
the rest of the way to make the CFP. 12-0 is reasonable. 11 wins with this schedule is the standard.
Georgia vs Alabama in the SEC Championship Game is the most likely scenario.
Twitter @Autumn_Eleven