Questions We Still Want Answered This Spring About Kirby Smart's Georgia Bulldogs
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ATHENS - Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs are just past halfway through the spring practice schedule coming off back to back championships.
Georgia is no different than any other program, needing to find answers for departed players and coaches. While I doubt final answers will be found in the 15 practice sessions, Kirby Smart and company will be well on their way to understanding what they have and what must be done prior to the first game of the 2023 season.
While many have focused on the starting quarterback and Mike Bobo’s ascension to the offensive coordinator role, I believe there are other questions that need answering (or are at least somewhere on the concern list for the coaching staff). Answering these questions will go a long way in determining the ultimate success of the impending season. Some of these questions are simple, while others may seem to be a reach.
No. 1 - How improved is Oscar Delp?
With Darnell Washington off to the NFL, the next tight end up behind Brock Bowers is critically important to the Georgia offense. Being able to run a good bit of the offense with 12 personnel has become a staple of Georgia’s offense, but losing Washington’s blocking ability along with his physical mismatch against linebackers and defensive backs may be outside of Delp’s wheelhouse. If he can be a willing blocker as well as a true receiving threat Georgia’s offense will continue to put their opponents on the horns of a dilemma.
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No. 2 - Which linebackers form the second team behind Jadon Dumas-Johnson and Smael Mondon?
We know Glenn Schumann likes to have three to four inside linebackers available to play in every game situation. The 2021 defense featured Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker, but Channing Tindall played his way into being a third-round pick of the Miami Dolphins. With Trezman Marshall and MJ Sherman out via the transfer portal, the only proven backup is Rian Davis. Jalon Walker is out for the spring with an injury and may be a better fit as an outside linebacker. Who among the freshman early entrants makes a move during the spring in that valuable second-string role? Georgia’s linebacker haul for the 2023 class was impressive, but they too are young. One of them will have to make a move to gain the coaches’ and starters’ trust.
No. 3 - What About the Running Backs?
We know Kendall Milton and Daijuan Edwards are currently #1 and #2 on that list. Branson Robinson played well at times last season, churning out tough yards late in games. We know Georgia’s third running back is responsible for about 30% of the run game production, so determining who that third back will be is important. Further, how does Georgia replace Kenny McIntosh? KM was a more than capable runner but did so much damage out of the backfield in the passing game. We haven’t seen any of the returning backs show that level of capability, and having a receiving threat out of the backfield is key to any powerful offense. Having a dependable receiver in the backfield may be a key difference maker for Mike Bobo’s offense, especially with a new quarterback.
No. 4 - Who the heck is the “X”?
Georgia has played the better part of the last two championship seasons without a true No. 1 receiver at the “X” position. Both George Pickens and AD Mitchell had the ability to dominate the defense’s attention and take over a game. Stetson Bennett set a school record for passing yards in a season last year without the benefit of a true #1 receiving threat outside of Brock Bowers. Returning players who could fill that role are Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint and Dillon Bell. RaRa Thomas brings some ability via the transfer portal. But are any of these players true No. 1, or “X” receivers that can be that go-to guy outside of Bowers? Ladd McConkey, Arian Smith and Dominic Lovett are more of true slot threats than outside dominators. Will Tyler Williams be able to learn enough of the playbook to emerge as a true option? While I’m sure Bobo will be able to create explosive plays without a true No. 1, having a true No. 1 surely won’t hurt.
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No. 5 - Who emerges along the defensive line as a threat at the “0” technique?
Zion Logue and Nazir Stackhouse each have ability and have played well along the defensive front. Bear Alexander flashed towards the end of the 2022 season after his development was stunted due to a shoulder injury. Incoming freshman Jordan Hall has the measurables and quickness but has zero experience in this defense that relies on the nose tackle to control not only the center but also the gaps on either side. We’ve seen the value of defensive line depth for the last couple of seasons and how important that is to Smart and Schumann. Finding the lead nose as well as the next man up will help determine if the 2023 version of the Georgia defense continues to render the opponent’s running game moot.
I don’t expect to see final answers to any of these questions on G Day. We may not see final answers coming out of fall practice prior to the September 2nd opening game against Tennessee-Martin. But developing options along each of these questions will help determine what next season’s squad looks like and how they perform week in and week out.