Home-Grown Bulldogs Are Leading The Way For The Georgia Football Offense
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ATHENS - The Georgia Bulldogs will be ranked No.1 in the upcoming CFP rankings on Tuesday night in big part to their home-grown talent.
There’s a reason every program in college football comes to the Peach State to build their roster. Kirby Smart and his staff have done a tremendous job of identifying talent within their borders, and a lot of those Georgia natives are leading the way on offense.
Starting quarterback and former Rabun County star Gunner Stockton’s story is one everyone knows. The record-setting passer from Tiger, Georgia is a Bulldog through and through who could be an all-time great if he can lead the Dawgs to another national title.
What a story that would be.
Starting center Drew Bobo graduated from Auburn High School in Alabama, but there aren’t many on the roster who bleed red and black like Bobo. He’s always been a Bulldog, and he’s been an outstanding senior and team caption for them this fall.
Of course they aren’t the only Georgia natives on the offense. Three more starting linemen, left guard Dontrell Glover (Langston Hughes), Juan Gaston Jr. (Westlake), and Zykie Helton (Carrollton) all are from the Peach State and have formed arguably the best offensive line in college football alongside left tackle and California native Earnest Greene.
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Head coach Kirby Smart, a former Bainbridge (GA) star, spoke about recruiting in-state players to help build the top-ranked team in college football.
“Zykie’s very intelligent, sharp, and so is Juan Gaston,” Smart told reporters on Monday. “Juan is quiet and he communicates well on the field. He understands football. He's an athlete. He gets concepts. They're both very bright kids, and having Drew [Bobo] there alongside those guys has been really good.”
“It's our state,” Smart added. “They have kids that grow up playing football from the time they're five years old. These kids have played padded football against some of the best football players in the country all their lives. They come from sophisticated offenses where they get run game, pass game. They're wise beyond their years. There's less guys available, so we're not as deep as we've been which forces more of them into a role to play.”
Sophomore Dontrell Glover specifically is having an incredibly strong season. The standout left guard works hard, competes every snap, and has been dependable player in the trenches all season long.
“Dontrell Glover’s been one of the toughest kids we've had,” Smart continued. “He's been playing with injuries and banged up and just kind of embodies that group in terms of how they play and the demeanor they play with. He's a tough kid.”
Freshman wideout Craig Dandridge (Cambridge) from Alpharetta, Georgia has also made an immediate impact this season, catching 20 passes for 349 yards and one touchdown with another rushing touchdown.
Tight ends Lawson Luckie (Norcross), Elyiss Williams (Camden County) and Ethan Barbour (Milton) have also contributed to Georgia’s No. 1 ranking this season.
