Through two seasons at the University of Georgia, former five-star recruit Terry Godwin has created the perception of a possession receiver out of the slot who can do good things but nothing spectacular.
Godwin's first year under Kirby Smart wasn't much of an improvement on his freshman season under Mark Richt, but he seems to be changing that narrative.
"I'll be the first to tell you that I was hard on Terry last year," Smart said this week in a news conference. "Terry has grown up. Terry is competitive. Terry really played well in Saturday's scrimmage as far as depth of routes, running routes, catching the ball, making plays and blocking people.
"A lot of that was on the outside. He can play inside and does great with it, but he's been more valuable to us outside."
The Bulldogs continued their preseason workouts Wednesday with a 90-minute indoor practice in full pads.
A 5-foot-11, 185-pounder from Hogansville, Ga., Godwin signed with the Bulldogs in 2015 as Rivals.com's top athlete prospect and compiled 35 receptions for 379 yards (10.8 yards per catch) and two touchdowns as a freshman. He also had seven rushes for 37 yards (5.3) and a score.
Godwin capped his freshman year with a touchdown pass and a touchdown reception in a 24-17 win over Penn State in the TaxSlayer Bowl to earn MVP honors, but he could not build any momentum last season under Smart and offensive coordinator Jim Chaney. His receiving numbers went up slightly as he tallied 38 catches for 397 yards (10.4), but the only time he reached the end zone was on a return of a late onside kick at South Carolina.
Having more than a full year with Chaney appears to be paying dividends.
"I feel like I'm very comfortable with the offense now," Godwin said in a recent news conference. "I know what he's expecting, and I know what he can change a play to. Just going out there and knowing that playbook inside and out is giving the offense a lot of confidence right now."
Said Chaney: "I think Terry's done a wonderful job. He's put a few pounds on. He's gotten stronger, and he looks a little faster to me."
Godwin was Georgia's second-leading receiver two years ago behind Malcolm Mitchell, and he finished second last season to Isaiah McKenzie. The Bulldogs didn't have a true go-to receiver last season, with the obvious exception of McKenzie's 10-catch, 122-yard, two-touchdown performance during the 28-27 win at Missouri.
"I wouldn't say we're looking for any specific go-to receiver, but if Coach Smart wants someone to be that dominant receiver, everyone out there can fit that position," Godwin said. "For every receiver out there, you want to be that leading receiver, but if the team is winning, I'm happy with whatever.
"All I'm here to do is help the team win."
Godwin did not display the same big-play potential last season as fellow returning receivers Riley Ridley and Javon Wims, but Smart said this week that he can definitely be a vertical threat.
"He's really becoming the guy we expected him to become," Smart said.
Odds and ends
Senior cornerback Malkom Parrish and freshman running back D'Andre Swift were absent during the portion of Wednesday's practice that was open to the media. Freshman Andrew Thomas has worked as the first-team right tackle this week, with Dyshon Sims backing up Isaiah Wynn at left tackle. The Bulldogs picked up a commitment this week from Elijah Moore, a 5-11, 170-pound receiver from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He is rated by 247Sports.com as the nation's No. 38 receiver and No. 180 prospect overall.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.