ATHENS, Ga. - Georgia may have a receiving option 1A for the rest of the season.
True freshman Terry Godwin had a season-high six catches for a season-high 78 yards last Saturday night in the Bulldogs' 9-6 topping of Missouri. Godwin does not yet possess the experience and reliability of fifth-year senior Malcolm Mitchell, but quarterback Greyson Lambert likes the touted newcomer more and more each week.
"He's had a lot of great catches for us and has broken some tackles to get first downs," Lambert said. "We've seen stuff in practice that you guys haven't seen, and that stuff is coming."
The Bulldogs (5-2, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) are off Saturday before traveling to Jacksonville next week to face Florida (6-1, 4-1).
A 5-foot-11, 174-pounder from Hogansville, Ga., Godwin was a five-star prospect this past winter and Rivals.com's No. 1 athlete prospect nationally. He caught Lambert's first pass of the season in the opening 51-14 win over Louisiana-Monroe and has been solid most Saturdays, though not spectacular.
Godwin is second on the team with 17 catches for 203 yards (11.9 yards per reception), and he displayed more versatility last weekend by also returning three punts for 49 yards (16.3 per return).
"Whatever the coaches have in mind for me, I'm going to go with it," Godwin said. "I think I've improved a lot since the start of the season in my route running, my ability to get open and my connection with Greyson."
The Bulldogs entered this season thin at receiver following the departures of Michael Bennett, Chris Conley and Jonathon Rumph. Godwin has benefited from that, starting four of the past five games, but Bulldogs coach Mark Richt believes nothing has been handed to the freshman.
"Terry, being a young guy, has made some mistakes," Richt said. "There have been a couple of big ones that have hurt us here and there, but that's part of being a freshman, and he's not the only guy who's made mistakes. The more he plays, the less mistakes he makes and the more you see his talent begin to shine.
"He's a very talented guy. He's starting for Georgia for a reason and has earned that right, but it takes young guys a while to get used to how crucial every play is and how important every assignment is. He's learned from a few things here and there and is better for it."
Odds and ends
Richt said on Wednesday's SEC teleconference that sophomore tailback Nick Chubb still has swelling in his knee but that surgery could take place within the week. Senior outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins and sophomore receiver and return specialist Isaiah McKenzie remain questionable for next week's game. Richt said McKenzie worked some Tuesday and "got a little sore."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.