TEAM SPOTLIGHT GEORGIA

Georgia loses its top two running backs and three of its top four receivers. It does return four of its five starting offensive linemen and all-SEC QB Carson Beck. I think the running back room will improve with Trevor Etienne, and talented players like Rodrick Robinson, Branson Robinson, and top freshman Nate Frazier. The offensive line I also expect to be just as good they were a young unit last year and most of these players gained more experience. Sedrick Van Pran was a leader on that offensive line, but junior Jared Wilson certainly has the talent and should be ready for a breakout year. We have him as one of the top NFL draft prospects at center. I love their depth guys like Micah Morris and Monroe Freeling would be starting for any other team and both have NFL futures. The loss of Brock Bowers is significant. They have one of the more athletic tight ends in the country in Oscar Delp but when Bowers missed games the production dropped off at that position. They brought in Benjamin Yurosek from Stanford who is coming off injury but produced at a high level and has an NFL Future as well. Lawson Luckie is a talented tight end as well who would be starting at most schools. They lose Ladd McConkey and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint but I expect this unit to be better than a season ago. Dominic Lovett is the leading returning receiver and is a guy we think highly of as a top 15 wide receiver prospect this season. He was underutilized in our opinion, but if the spring game is any indication that won’t be the case this season. Dillon Bell returns and Colbie Young from Miami and London Humphreys (Vanderbilt) were two of the better wide receivers in the transfer portal. 

Georgia had the best pass defense in the SEC a season ago but that is an area where they suffered their biggest losses. Guys like Bullard, Smith, and Lassiter were top players at their positions a year ago and top 100 picks in the 2024 draft.  They bring back all-American safety Malaki Starks and starting corner Daylen Everette. Dan Jackson is a senior who has had to start some games at safety over the past three seasons. Sophomore Julian Humphrey (4 star) and Joenel Aguero (5 star) saw time as true freshmen a season ago and should get the first shot at starting. They did bring in the top corner (Ellis Robinson) and the top safety in the nation (KJ Bolden). I expect the freshmen to play big roles. They had the number 1 pass defense despite being middle of the pack when it comes to rushing the passer. Only 29 sacks in 14 games, I expect that to improve from a season ago. Mykel Williams will have a career year getting to play as an outside linebacker. He has a chance to be a top-10 pick this off-season. Jalon Walker is another player that can get after the QB. A twitched-up athlete who came on strong during the 2nd half of the season, leading the team with 5 sacks. They have depth at linebacker and return all their defensive line except Zion Logue. Warren Brinson is a player that could have a breakout year for the Bulldogs. 

This will be the fourth year in a row that I picked Georgia to win the National Championship. With Saban retired Kirby Smart is the best coach and is building something special in Athens. I thought they were the best team in the country a season ago and were ranked that the entire season until losing in the SEC championship game and were left out of the playoffs. Alabama and Texas are both on the road, they get Tennessee at home and play Clemson in Atlanta. If they slip up on one of those games, they should still make the 12-team playoff.