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ATHENS - We’re almost there, Dawg Posters.
There’s only one more day before Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs kick off the 2025 season against the Marshall Thundering Herd.
We’ve talked all off-season about Georgia’s new additions. There’s plenty of new faces all over this year’s roster and especially in the trenches.
Defensively, there’s a few veterans, lots of hungry, talented second-year players, and two freshmen who have been turning heads behind the scenes. Smart told reporters this week that they’ve been in “war mode” so to speak over the last several weeks.
“They're going to war every day,” Smart said this week. “So, striking blocks, getting off blocks, running to the ball. I mean, who you are is on your tape. That's your resume. It speaks for itself. We show our guys every day in the team meeting. This is who you are, because this is what you put on tape, especially at the defensive line and offensive line position. The guys with good characteristics, good habits in practice, it'll show up that way in the game. We’re trying to get more guys to play winning football.”
It starts with their leader Christen Miller, but that group also needs healthy, consistent play from veterans Jordan Hall and Xavier McCloud. After that, you’ve got several second year players who are eager to step up and push for significant playing time.
Those players are Joseph Jonah-Ajonye, Jordan Thomas, Nasir Johnson, Nnamdi Ogboko, and Justin Green. Miami transfer Josh Horton will also provide depth on the interior. Still, keep an eye not only on five-star sensation Elijah Griffin, but on the raw, talented JJ Hane too.
It may not be the most talented group the Dawgs have had over the years, but there’s enough talent and promising depth that should allow them to be one of the best groups in the SEC.
They’ve been at war throughout fall camp. But overall, this group appears to be healthy and is hoping to come out strong with a big week one performance against Marshall.
Then there’s the offensive line. It’s another position group with new faces, but the standard remains the same. There’s size, experience, and plenty of potential across the board.
“Those guys have really been competitive and gotten better,” Smart told reporters this week. “I mean, we've had young players show up, play well. We've had old players have days where they play well. They've all had some nicks and bumps and bruises. Some guys have missed a little time in that guard competition. But I mean, it's continuous, right? It's not even about this game and how we're going to play in this game. It's about today, and how we're going to play them today, and how we're going to practice them, and keep getting guys better.”
Overall, the Dawgs know they need better production on both sides of the line of scrimmage. That’s something Smart has been preaching for about eight months now. Neither group is “elite” right now, but that can change over the first few weeks of the season.
If the Bulldogs can get back to being elite in the trenches, look for them to once again make a serious run at a national championship.
