Front Porch FootballGeorgia 2021 Season Preview
by John Covington Lamm
Georgia finished last season with an 8-2 record, a #7 national ranking, and a Peach Bowl win. For most teams, that is a great season; however, for Georgia the season felt like a disappointment without winning the SEC East or making the College Football Playoff. Georgia’s only two losses last year were blowout losses to the two best teams in the conference, Florida and Alabama, which kept the Bulldogs out of the SEC Championship Game. Georgia expects to come into 2021 as an even better team than they were in 2020. As quarterback JT Daniels enters his first full season as starter, the Bulldogs are looking to reclaim the SEC East in hopes of making a run at their first College Football Playoff since the 2017 season.
Offense
Georgia’s offense will look very similar to last season’s as far as personnel goes. Georgia is returning eight starters in the second year for offensive-coordinator Todd Monken. Georgia averaged 32 points per game last season, which was very good but wasn’t enough to keep up with Alabama or Florida. However, with JT Daniels getting a full season, I expect this offense to look even better in 2021.
Departed Starters
Ben Cleveland – RG – Graduation/NFL
Trey Hill – Center – NFL
Tre’ Mckitty – TE – Graduation/NFL
Quarterback
JT Daniels (6-3, 210) transferred from the University of Southern California last season, but he was limited to only four games at the end of last season due to an ACL tear. Having a full offseason, unlike last year due to COVID, and being fully healthy, I expect Daniels to be one of the best QBs in the SEC. In four games last season, he completed 67% of his passes and threw for over 1,200 yards and ten touchdowns. Most importantly, Daniels has a 4-0 record, including a Peach Bowl win over Cincinnati. I think he’s set to be the best quarterback in the SEC East this season, and with his returning weapons has a strong chance to be a dark horse in the Heisman race.
As far as the backups go, redshirt freshman Carson Beck (6-4, 215), 5-star freshman Brock Vandagriff (6-3, 205), and Stetson Bennett IV (5-11, 190), starting quarterback for much of last season, will compete for the backup position. Bennett IV has the most experience, but Beck and Vandagriff are highly touted players and will most likely be competing to be the future quarterback of the Georgia Bulldogs, possibly as soon as 2022. My prediction is that Vandagriff will eventually win the battle.
Running Back
The Bulldog running back room is absolutely stacked this season. Zamir White (6-0, 215) returns for his junior season coming off of a year where he rushed for 779 yards with 11 touchdowns in 10 games and averaged 5.4 yards per rush. I expect White to continue his success, and won’t be surprised if he has over a thousand yards and makes one of the All-Conference teams. James Cook (5-11, 190), NFL star Dalvin Cook’s brother, was also successful last year rushing for 6.7 yards per carry and 3 touchdowns. Cook is a threat as a receiver as well, where he caught 16 passes for 225 yards out of the backfield. Although Cook is not the back that White is, he is an excellent number-two back and should be set to have a great senior season. Kenny McIntosh (6-1, 210) and power running back Kendall Milton (6-1, 220) also add depth at the position; both have potential to be a key part of the rotation.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Georgia’s most talented receiver is future NFL player George Pickens (6-3, 200). Unfortunately, Pickens tore his ACL in the spring and will not be available at the beginning of this season. Coaches and fans are hoping to get Pickens back around the time of a revenge game against Florida on October 30, but there is no guarantee when he will be able to return this season. With Pickens being sidelined, other receivers will have to step up.
Junior receiver Kearis Jackson (6-0, 200) is a speedy weapon who had several big games to start the 2020 season, including 147 yards against Auburn. Jackson averaged 14.3 yards per catch last season, and I anticipate him to be one of the best deep-threat weapons for Daniels to throw to. Jermaine Burton (6-0, 200) is the team’s best pass catcher, having caught 27 passes for 404 yards in 2020. Arik Gilbert (6-5, 248) has transferred in from LSU and should also be able to contribute in the fall at receiver. The tight end position is led by 6’7”, 265-pound Darnell Washington, a great pass blocker, and while he only caught 7 passes last season, he averaged almost 24 yards per catch.
Offensive Line
The offensive line, with three starters returning, should be one of the strengths of this team. Jamaree Salyer (6-4, 325) is the best lineman on the team, and a preseason pick to make All-Conference. Sayler played both left tackle and left guard last year, but he is expected to start at left guard this season, as that is the position for which he is being scouted by the NFL.
The left-tackle position is the biggest position battle on the offensive line. Redshirt sophomore Xavier Truss (6-7, 330) started in the Peach Bowl at left tackle and is expected to be the starter in week 1 against Clemson. However, five-star freshman Amarius Mims (6-7, 325) is one of the best recruits Georgia has ever gotten on the offensive line and could win the battle. I expect him to be a backup at both tackle positions this season, while getting a good amount of playing time on the line.
Junior Warren Ericson (6-4, 305) is set to be the starter at center with Trey Hill leaving for the NFL after the 2020 season. Ericson has played well in his backup role since entering college, so look for him to continue his success in 2021 as a starter. Senior Justin Shaffer (6-4, 330) is set to be the right guard this season, after starting at left guard much of 2020. Similar to Sayler, he is on several preseason All- Conference and All-America teams. The guard positions will be among the strongest in the entire conference this season.
Finishing up on the o-line is Warren McClendon (6-4, 300), who will be set to start at right tackle. He was on the FWAA First-Team Freshman All-America Team last year and is another potential star for the Bulldog offensive line. This unit has the potential to be one of the best lines in both the SEC and the country.
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Defense
Unlike Georgia’s offense, the defense is returning only a handful of starters from 2020, but don’t worry – this defense is reloading, not rebuilding. The talent level from the front seven to the secondary is tremendous. The 2020 Georgia defense was phenomenal in all eight wins last season. However, in their two losses this defense was anything but good, giving up over 40 points and over 560 yards against both Alabama and Florida. This defense is going to need to clean that up going into the Clemson game week one if they are going to have a chance to win.
Departed Starters
Azeez Ojulari – OLB – NFL
Richard LeCounte – Safety – Graduation/NFL
Eric Stokes – CB – NFL
Monty Rice – MLB – Graduation/NFL
Tyson Campbell – CB – NFL
Jermaine Johnson – OLB – Transfer Florida State
Mark Webb – Safety – Graduation/NFL
Defensive Line
Georgia will be running a 3-4 defense in the upcoming season, so they will play primarily 3 down lineman on most plays. The projected starters are Travon Walker (6-5, 275) who is a former 5-star recruit, senior Devonte Wyatt (6-3, 315), and nose-guard Jordan Davis (6-6, 340). Walker is the only one of the three who did not start last season, although he was a fantastic backup who made several big plays and stood out as an outstanding pass rusher. He has been on several preseason All-Conference team lists and has the potential to be one of the best defensive players on the team this year. Wyatt is a former JUCO transfer who started every game for the Bulldogs last season and is both a great leader and run stopper for Georgia.
Last but not least, the massive Davis is the most talented of the three players. Although many thought the Charlotte, NC native was going to enter the draft after last season, he decided to return to college for one more year instead. He will be the most double-teamed player on that line, and while he may not wow people with his stat line, he will be a big problem for offensive lineman and will prevent holes opening on the inside for running backs.
Linebacker
The linebacker group has the potential to be elite, particularly at pass rushing. Senior Adam Anderson (6-5, 230) and former number-one overall prospect and current junior Nolan Smith (6-3, 235) will start as the team’s outside linebackers. Anderson had a solid junior season and was one of the team’s best pass rushers a year ago. In ten games he had over 20 quarterback pressures; Georgia coaches and fans believe that success will continue with increased playing time in 2021. On the other hand, Smith has been largely viewed as a disappointment so far. Recruited as an edge rusher and the number-one overall player in the class of 2019, Smith has only recorded five sacks in two seasons. However, Smith has not been a starter until this season, and I believe he will make a big jump in his playing abilities in 2021. He is extremely talented and athletic for his size, which will make him a tough matchup for offensive tackles.
The best linebacker and a potential All-American is Nakobe Dean (6-0, 230). Dean is currently projected as a second- to third-round draft pick in 2022. He also acted as a spy on mobile quarterbacks last season and will continue to do so this year. Dean will make big plays all across the field and will be the leader of the linebackers. Finally, Quay Walker (6-4, 240) will join Dean in the middle. Walker had 43 tackles in 2020 and is known for making big plays; unfortunately, he is equally well-known for making bone-headed ones. Too often in the past, he missed an assignment or misjudged the angle, which led to big-time plays by Georgia’s opponents. If he’s able to clean up his mental mistakes, Walker has the ability to be every bit as good as Dean.
Secondary
The secondary will experience the most turnover on this defense from 2020. While they were one of the best in the country last season, star players Eric Stokes, Tyson Campbell, and Richard Lecounte all are in the NFL now. However, Georgia got a huge pickup in the transfer portal when All-ACC cornerback Derion Kendrick (6-0, 190) transferred from Clemson. He should have a standout season at corner for the Dawgs and very well may be the next high draft pick out of this distinguished secondary. Georgia also has the talented former Jim Thorpe Award finalist, Tykee Smith (5-10, 198), who transferred from West Virginia. Smith and Kendrick both have the potential to be lock-down corners this season if they play to their potential.
Junior safety Lewis Cine (6-1, 200) had to step up last season after Lecounte was injured in a car accident, but he performed tremendously. Cine recorded 52 tackles, including 12 against South Carolina last year; this could be an even bigger year for the senior.
Filling out the secondary should be senior Ameer Speed (6-3, 211), and young talent in a pair of redshirt freshmen Jalen Kimber (6-0, 170) and Kelee Ringo (6-2, 205). True freshman Nyland Green (6-1, 185) will push for playing time in a deep secondary. The four-star had a knack for finding the football in the air in high school, and his early enrollment gave him plenty of time to catch up speed.
Special Teams
Georgia looks to maintain their reputation for excellent special teams. All-American senior punter Jake Camarda (6-2, 180) led the SEC in punting yard average with 46.6 yards per punt in 2020. Jack Podlesny (6-1, 180) will handle place-kicking duties for the Bulldogs and is on the preseason Lou Groza Award watch list for the nation’s best kicker. Podlesny went 13-16 on his field goals, 38-38 on PATs, and even hit a 54-yard game-winning field goal to win the Peach Bowl. Don’t expect much to change for this kicker. Kearis Jackson and Kenny McIntosh will most likely handle kick- and punt-return duties, and with their speed and big-play ability, they have the potential to run back a kickoff or punt for a touchdown this season.
Impact Players
1. JT Daniels – QB – If Georgia is going to win the SEC this season, Daniels is going to have to be one of the best in the country, and I fully expect him to be. He has the potential to throw over 30 touchdown passes this season if he plays up to his potential. This Georgia team has the ability to beat Clemson in week one and also win the SEC. If so, Daniels could be a first-round draft pick in 2022.
2. Zamir White – RB – Do not be surprised if White pops in year three and makes an All-Conference team. While he probably won’t be much of a threat in the passing game, I expect White will continue to improve if he stays healthy. He has the potential to rush for over a thousand yards and score 15+ touchdowns. Behind a strong offensive line, he will have plenty of holes to run through.
3. Jack Podlesny – K – You may not think of a kicker as being an impact player, but Podlesny showed last year in the Peach Bowl that he has both a strong leg and is clutch when he kicked a 54-yard field goal to win the game. In the SEC, having a strong kicker is crucial. Podlesny’s leg may be needed to win a game over Clemson or Alabama down the line and give Georgia a chance at the playoff. If he can kick the way he did last season, Georgia will be in good hands.
4. Kearis Jackson – WR – With George Pickens out for at least half of the season, Jackson will be expected to step up and be the most explosive receiver on the team. With his big-play catching ability and his kick return duties, Jackson should make many highlight plays early in the season.
5. Adam Anderson – EDGE – Anderson is set to have a big senior season for the Bulldogs. In 2020, he had 6.5 sacks and 24 quarterback pressures. I expect Anderson to play even better in 2021 after his adding muscle in the off-season, and I would not be surprised if he were to get double-digit sacks as an edge rusher and outside linebacker in the 2021 season.
Schedule
9/4 vs. Clemson (Duke’s Mayo Classic, Charlotte, NC)
9/11 vs. UAB
9/18 vs. South Carolina
9/25 at Vanderbilt
10/2 vs. Arkansas
10/9 at Auburn
10/16 vs. Kentucky
10/30 vs. Florida (Jacksonville, FL)
11/6 vs. Missouri
11/13 at Tennessee
11/20 vs. Charleston Southern
11/27 at Georgia Tech
Conclusion
Georgia has the ability to run the table and go undefeated this year if their defense can perform to their potential in big games, and if JT Daniels plays at the high level expected of him. They will be favorites, barring injury, in every game after the season opener against Clemson. Florida will be their second-toughest game of the year, but with Kyle Trask off to the NFL, Georgia is my favorite to win that game. I expect Georgia to lose a close game against Clemson in week one, but then run the table through the rest of the season. They are also helped by not having Alabama on their regular season schedule this year. Georgia will return to Atlanta for the SEC Championship game after missing a season and have a shot at the College Football Playoff.
