When it comes to Southeastern Conference football assistants, nobody may have been dealt a better hand in 2021 than Georgia fourth-year receivers coach Cortez Hankton.
George Pickens, Kearis Jackson, Jermaine Burton, Demetris Robertson and Arian Smith are gearing up for a March 16 start to spring practice, and that’s not even the full arsenal. Dominick Blaylock and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint are still nursing injuries from last year, but they expect to prominently figure into plans this fall on an offense headed by second-year coordinator Todd Monken and returning quarterback JT Daniels.
Blaylock, the stepson of Chattanooga Lookouts co-owner John Woods, suffered the second torn left ACL of his career last August, while Rosemy-Jacksaint sustained an ankle fracture and dislocation at the end of his 32-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter of last November’s 44-28 loss to Florida.
“They’re working to come back,” Hankton said Tuesday afternoon. “We do have a return-to-play protocol, and they’re right on schedule. From a mental standpoint, they have been awesome. They are so positive, and they have the energy to fight to come back.
“Those are two of the most positive, football-savvy guys, especially when it comes to helping the younger guys. Any way they’ve been able to help has been a huge plus for us.”