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ATHENS - One of the biggest improvements the Georgia Bulldogs have to make this fall is clear.
A stronger presence in the trenches.
Georgia’s defensive line was stout last year, but they were far from elite. A consistent group, but not a “game-changing” group.
The offensive line, veteran-led with NFL talent, was a disappointment. That unit has consistently been one of the best in college football over the last eight years but took a step backwards in 2024.
Kirby knows it. Everyone knows it. The Dawgs have to get better in the trenches.
“I want to see improvement”, Kirby Smart said last week. “I want to see experience. I want to see depth building. We talk about it a lot in our messaging about what the standard is in Georgia in terms of, it's not the number of runs, as much as it is the efficiency of the runs. Defensively, it's not the yardage given up rushing, as much as it is the yards per carry. We wanna be very productive in those two areas.”
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“Our best team since we've been here, they've been able to run the ball when they have to run it. They've been able to stop the run when they have to stop it, and that looks different in every game.”
“So what do I want to see out of those guys?” Smart added. “I want to see improvement. I want to see buy-in. It's a culture thing. It's like you get what you demand. We're going to demand that you stop it, and that we're able to run it.”
The Dawgs couldn’t run it like they wanted to last year. They ranked 14th in the SEC in total rushing yards and were 15th in rushing yards per game with just 124 yards . They ranked 10th in the conference total yards per game.
It’s not good enough. Well, it’s good enough to win the conference, but not good enough to win the final game of the year.
Defensively, Smart knows it’s up to one senior to lead the way and uphold the standard attached to the Georgia defensive line.
“We need Christen Miller to be a playmaker”, Smart told reporters last week. “We need him to be disruptive. We talk about habit, we talk about quickness, speed, experience. He's our most experienced player. He has taken on this role of knowing the burden lies with him to set a standard for that group. And we're gonna be good up front, and we're gonna stop the run. It starts with that group. I mean, it's everybody, but it really starts with the defensive line, and what kind of mentality that room has. And so far, he has approached that the right way. He did not get to go through spring because of a labor repair. And we're looking for him to have a great fall camp, and push the other guys, and help lead that room along with Jordan Hall, Xavier McCloud, and some of those other guys.”
Staying healthy is critical, but if the Bulldogs can get steady, consistent productive from Miller, Hall and McCloud, Georgia’s line could be one of the best in the conference. They have plenty of young, hungry talent, but the veterans will be expected to lead the way.
The potential is there. Now, it’s time for Georgia to be elite again in the trenches.
