Georgia Offense Looks Loaded for 2021 As Transfer Season Begins
Credit: Brett Davis: USA TODAY Sports
Georgia’s season came to a close fascinatingly just over 24 hours ago with a late field goal for the win over Cinncinatti to send the Bearcats’ undefeated record down the drain. With the offseason now in full swing for those in Athens, everyone’s attention turns towards 2021.
With Arik Gilbert already entering into the NCAA Transfer Portal to begin College Football’s version of NBA free agency, more high profile players are bound to join the former five-star tight end in the transfer portal.
With Gilbert being a no-brainer of a target during the offseason, the Georgia offense will have loads of talent next season, even with names entering the NFL Draft. The decision made by JT Daniels will likely shape the expectations for Georgia.
Georgia’s receiving core will not lose many names, with the majority of the impact players needing another year of eligibility before entering the NFL. Daniels, or whoever is the quarterback next season, will have weapons at the receiver season.
George Pickens will headline the receivers as a junior. Picken has impressed in his first two bowl games as a Bulldog. Pickens followed up his record-breaking Sugar Bowl performance with another impressive game in the Peach Bowl with 135 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions.
Rising sophomore Jermaine Burton and Arian Smith both look to be players on the rise. Burton produced as an impact player early on this season. Burton suffered from early drops and miscommunications to start the season. The freshman from Calabasas finished the season with 404 yards, three touchdowns on 27 receptions.
Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint is another rising sophomore to watch next season as he recovers from a leg injury that occurred in the first half of the Georgia-Florida game. Rosemy would record one catch for 32 yards and a touchdown before suffering a leg injury that knocked him out for the season.
Georgia will also bring back Dominick Blaylock and is expected to see Kearis Jackson return to Athens. Blaylock missed this season due to another ACL tear that he suffered over the summer. Jackson would help fill Blaylock’s void in the slot with 514 yards and three touchdowns on 36 receptions.
Another exciting aspect of the offensive unit is the potential at the tight end position. While losing graduate transfer Tre McKitty to the NFL this offseason, Georgia will bring back two high upside tight ends with John Fitzpatrick and former 4-star Darnell Washington.
Washington contributed in a big way in Friday’s Peach Bowl win with three receptions for 46 yards. The massive tight end impressed with his athletic ability in space and made it hard for defenders to bring him down.
The quarterback position and offensive line are two positions that could derail Georgia from fulfilling expectations of competing for a National Championship in 2021. With Ben Cleveland already declared for the Draft and Justin Shaffer likely joining him as a senior. Georgia will need to replace both guards and may have to replace Trey Hill and Jamaree Salyer; both are eligible to leave.
JT Daniels emerged as the starter following the loss to Florida. The USC transfer spent most of the season rehabbing from a torn ACL and meniscus that he suffered at the beginning of the 2019 season.
Daniels led the Dawgs to a 4-0 finish this season as the starter. The offense flourished with Daniels under center. Daniels threw for 1,231 yards and ten touchdowns with only two interceptions.
With names like Arik Gilbert in the NCAA transfer portal, Georgia has a chance to add to an already talent-filled offense in 2021.