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ATHENS - We’ve talked all season about how the Georgia Bulldog offense needed to involve the tight ends more.
Through their first four games Georgia’s tight ends had a small impact in the passing game.
But against Kentucky, not only did we see more production from the tight end group, but we also saw the emergence of freshman Elyiss Williams. Veteran Oscar Delp had a really impressive 36-yard catch and run to set up a Georgia touchdown and Williams had the biggest game of his young career, catching three passes for 48 yards during Georgia’s 35-14 victory.
However, it’s Williams’ blocking and physicality that has impressed Georgia head coach Kirby Smart...
“He's really physical”, Smart said. “I never realized a kid that size would take so much pride in growing as a blocker. Most kids come in, and that's the hardest thing they have to get used to. They can all catch passes and run and run routes, but in line and C-area blocking, he has taken pride in that. Give coach [Todd Hartley] a lot of credit for investing that time on his improvement and him working at it. He worked all spring, and he's better than an average blocker for a freshman, and then as the year went on this year, he's grown. He's gone against really good people; he's not afraid of contact. So I enjoy watching him grow, and he's gotten better as a route runner and understanding our offense. He's kind of worked his way into some of the roles.”
While Williams is growing, the room is still led by veterans Oscar Delp and Lawson Luckie. Those two are constantly on the field and have made more of an impact in the run game compared to passing game. Still, they’re both capable pass-catchers who can always make a play.
True freshman Ethan Barbour was on his way to making an immediate impact himself until suffering a season-ending injury against Austin Peay. Look for him to come back strong as a sophomore in 2026.
Backup Jaden Reddell is still looking to break into the starting rotation and is hoping to continue carving out a role. in the Bulldog offense. The same goes for second-year player Colton Heinrich.
Everyone knows this is a talented group. Their time is coming in the passing game, and their time could be this weekend.
