Following a disappointing end to the 2024 season, the Georgia Bulldogs enter the offseason with more concerns than they’ve had in quite a long time since Kirby Smart arrived.
It starts with the quarterback position, but that’s merely just the beginning. The EDGE room has virtually no experience after several key pieces entered the NFL Draft and Damon Wilson transferred to Missouri. The offensive line, which struggled last season, has to replace four starters, and the depth at running back behind Nate Frazier is also a concern.
“But with Damon Wilson’s decision to transfer to Missouri, Georgia needs to add a starting EDGE/outside linebacker from the transfer portal,” Nakos writes. “Mykel Williams and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins also went pro. Trevor Etienne’s decision to enter the NFL draft also leaves a hole for an experienced running back to enter the fold. Georgia returns Nate Frazier, who led the team in rushing yards and touchdowns.
“The final question mark is quarterback. Carson Beck injured his UCL, missing the second half of the SEC championship game and the Sugar Bowl. He transferred to Miami earlier this month. Gunner Stockton closed out the SEC title game but struggled in his first start in the College Football Playoff. Georgia does not have a proven, experienced starter in its quarterback room entering the spring.”
The Georgia Bulldogs have recruited the offensive line as well as anyone, so that might be a spot where they choose to trust their development of young players. However, the defensive front needs some major TLC. It would be shocking if Kirby Smart didn’t aggressively attempt to add some talent that can get after the quarterback when the spring transfer portal opens.
Running back is another area where the Bulldogs could potentially upgrade, but Nate Frazier is a budding star, and Georgia has talented guys behind him that can tote the rock. It’s not exactly a pressing need, and the same could be said for quarterback.
I strongly disagree with Nakos’ evaluation of Gunner Stockton in the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame. He performed about as well as anyone could have in his first ever start against a very good Fighting Irish defense. The Bulldogs offensive line failed Stockton, unable to pass protect or create any push in the run game. No quarterback could have succeeded under those conditions.
The Georgia Bulldogs should feel very confident about what they have in Gunner Stockton, but don’t pencil him in as the starter just yet. It will be an open competition this summer between he and the incredibly talented Ryan Puglisi. Just because the two are inexperienced, doesn’t mean Georgia will suffer from a drop-off in quarterback play. However, it never hurts to add more depth at the most important position in the sport.
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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