Do the 2022 Georgia Bulldogs Have a Glaring Weakness?
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ATHENS - Summer is here and we’re a little over three months away from Georgia’s big season opener against Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks.
After winning the national championship last season, Kirby Smart’s team will have a target on their backs throughout the fall, and they’ll get everyone’s best shot all season long.
Now, you’d think after losing at least seven starters defensively, two starting offensive lineman, two running backs, a star receiver, and many more, Georgia would take a giant step back in 2022. Most college programs would take MULTIPLE steps back if they had 15 players leave and be selected in the NFL Draft.
But this isn’t your average college program. Smart has Georgia football on top of the college football world right now, and they’ll be expected to compete for championships for years to come.
So, what could prevent Georgia from competing for a championship in 2022? What is the team’s biggest weakness entering the summer?
Well, let’s take a look.
The obvious choice might be the defensive line after losing three starters, Travon Walker, Jordan Davis, and Devonte Wyatt. Then again, they still have Jalen Carter who is one of the best players in all of college football.
There’s a good chance they’ll take a step back at inside linebacker without Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker, and Channing Tindall. There’s a ton of talent waiting in the wings, but it’s unrealistic to expect guys like Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Trezmen Marshall, Smael Mondon, and others to play to that standard this fall.
The Bulldogs lost two starters in the secondary in Lewis Cine and Derion Kendrick, but they have plenty of talent coming back in 6th-year defensive back William Poole, 5th-year safety Christopher Smith, veteran Dan Jackson, veteran Tykee Smith, starting cornerback Kelee Ringo, and other young defensive backs who will push for playing time this fall. Georgia’s secondary should be just fine in 2022.
Offensively, there will always be folks who point to Stetson Bennett as the weak link on that side of the ball. He may not have ideal size and arm talent, but he’s a winner. He runs the offense effectively, can throw the ball downfield, and he can beat defenses with his legs. No way he’s the “weakness” for the 2022 Bulldogs.
The offensive line lost two multi-year starters in Jamaree Salyer and Justin Shaffer, but there’s plenty experience coming back this fall. All in all, this could be one of the best units in college football once again.
Georgia has quality running backs, but they need to stay healthy. If Kendall Milton or Kenny McIntosh have to miss a serious amount of time for any reason during the season, they could be in trouble there. Daijun Edwards is reliable, and they’ve got two talented freshmen on the roster, but they need a lot from Milton and McIntosh if they want to make another national title run.
The tight end room is the best in college football. By a MILE. Brock Bowers, Darnell Washington, Oscar Delp. Brett Seither is also an option. Those dudes are tough to handle. They’re going to make a ton of plays this fall.
The receiver room may not scare anyone, but it’s hard to call that group the “weakness” heading into the season. George Pickens will be missed. Jermaine Burton, not so much. AD Mitchell, Ladd McConkey, Arik Gilbert, those guys can be game-changers. If Dominick Blaylock and Arian Smith can stay healthy, then you’re talking about one of the best groups in the SEC. Veteran Kearis Jackson can make plays. Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint can be a weapon as well. This group has a lot of promise.
Special teams will look a little different, but Smart will have that group ready to play. He wants every aspect of his team to be “elite”, including special teams. Georgia will be fine there.
So, as much as they lost last year, there’s still no glaring weakness on the current 2022 squad. The front seven will look a lot different, so maybe that’s the area that will take the biggest step backwards. And if they do, they could still be one of the best front sevens in the SEC, and possibly the country.
So, will Georgia take a step back in 2022? Do they have any glaring weaknesses as we enter the summer?
Time will tell, but with the roster they current have, I expect them to make another championship run this fall.