QUARTERBACKS
Jake Fromm entered last season as Jacob Eason’s backup but took over midway through the first quarter of the Appalachian State opener due to an Eason injury and never looked back. Fromm was voted SEC freshman of the year, throwing for 2,615 yards and 24 touchdowns, but even more important was the manner in which he guided the Bulldogs to their first league crown since 2005. South Carolina coach Will Muschamp admitted he loaded the box against Georgia to force Fromm to defeat the Gamecocks, and Fromm responded with a 16-of-22, two-touchdown performance. For an encore, Fromm must maintain the starting spot over five-star freshman Justin Fields, who has a stronger arm and stronger legs. Don’t be surprised if offensive coordinator Jim Chaney uses both in games to maximize the position’s talents.
RUNNING BACKS
For the first time since the 2013 season, when Mark Richt was head coach and Mike Bobo and Todd Grantham were his coordinators, Georgia does not have Nick Chubb and Sony Michel at tailback. Chubb and Michel rushed for a combined 8,407 yards, setting an NCAA record for a tandem, and last season wore defenses down for top returning tailback D’Andre Swift to enter the game and rush for 618 yards and 7.6 yards per carry. Elijah Holyfield and Brien Herrien are the most experienced backs in the program, each having rushed for more than 250 yards a year ago, but they likely will have to fight for carries behind Swift with five-star freshman Zamir White, who rushed for 2,086 yards and 14.1 yards per carry last season as a prep senior and has fully recovered from a torn ACL in November.
RECEIVERS
Javon Wims is no longer around after leading the Bulldogs in receptions last season and repeatedly showing a knack for going up to get the ball. Of course, no Georgia receiver had a more acrobatic catch last season than Terry Godwin at Notre Dame, and Godwin is back for his senior season. Returning experience for the Bulldogs also includes juniors Riley Ridley and Mecole Hardman, who were quite effective in defeat against Alabama. Behind Godwin, Ridley and Hardman are several players looking to work their way into more prominent roles, including Jayson Stanley, Jeremiah Holloman, Ahkil Crumpton, Tyler Simmons, Trey Blount, Matt Landers and Kearis Jackson. The tight end spot is stacked with Isaac Nauta and Charlie Woerner leading the way and with heralded signee Luke Ford joining the mix.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Georgia showed phenomenal improvement up front last season when compared to 2016, and offensive line coach Sam Pittman continues to help land many of the nation’s top prospects. Andrew Thomas was a freshman All-American at right tackle last season and flipped this spring to left tackle, where he replaces New England Patriots first-round pick Isaiah Wynn. Isaiah Wilson was a five-star signee in Georgia’s 2017 class who redshirted last season, and he is the favorite at right tackle. Senior center Lamont Gaillard provides stability and is flanked by guards Kendall Baker and Ben Cleveland, who became a starter late last year and helped a good offense become even better. The Bulldogs signed five stellar linemen in their 2018 class, with Warren Ericson (center) and Cade Mays (right tackle) working much of preseason camp on the second team.
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Offensive Depth Chart
QUARTERBACK
Jake Fromm, So., 6-2/225
Justin Fields, Fr., 6-3/225
TAILBACK
D’Andre Swift, So., 5-9/215
Zamir White, Fr., 6-0/210
RECEIVER
Terry Godwin, Sr., 5-11/185
Tyler Simmons, Jr., 6-0/201
RECEIVER
Riley Ridley, Jr., 6-2/200
Jeremiah Holloman, So., 6-2/200
RECEIVER
Mecole Hardman, Jr., 5-11/183
Ahkil Crumpton, Sr., 5-9/175
TIGHT END
Isaac Nauta, Jr., 6-4/240
Charlie Woerner, Jr., 6-5/ 245
LEFT TACKLE
Andrew Thomas, So., 6-5/320
D’Marcus Hayes, Jr., 6-5/315
LEFT GUARD
Kendall Baker, Sr., 6-6/305
Solomon Kindley, So., 6-4/330
CENTER
Lamont Gaillard, Sr., 6-2/308
Warren Ericson, Fr., 6-4/315
RIGHT GUARD
Ben Cleveland, So., 6-6/340
Netori Johnson, Fr., 6-4/325
RIGHT TACKLE
Isaiah Wilson, Fr., 6-7/345
Cade Mays, Fr., 6-6/318