The Georgia Bulldogs have been rebuilding at receiver this spring following the departures of Riley Ridley and Mecole Hardman, who had eligibility remaining, and Terry Godwin, who didn't.
Georgia's top returning receivers this year are junior Jeremiah "J.J." Holloman and senior Tyler Simmons, with Holloman the more productive of that pair last season with 24 catches for 418 yards and five touchdowns. A 6-foot-2, 200-pounder from the Atlanta suburb of Covington, Holloman competed in all 14 games last year and made five starts, including the final two games against Alabama in the Southeastern Conference championship game and Texas in the Sugar Bowl.
In other words, Holloman has done enough to this point to command respect.
"It's been a joy knowing that other people are depending on me and looking up to me," Holloman said in a recent news conference. "I know I can't mess up, so I've got to push myself two times harder. I want to make myself better while making other guys better."
The Bulldogs held their 10th spring practice Tuesday afternoon, working out for more than two hours.
Georgia held its first scrimmage last Saturday inside Sanford Stadium, and fourth-year coach Kirby Smart was quick to point out the inconsistencies at receiver given the inexperience.
"We're looking for wide receivers to step up," Smart said. "We've got to have vertical outside threats. Tyler and J.J. are playing well, but it's not going to be done by just them. Guys like Matt Landers, Trey Blount, Kearis Jackson and Demetris Robertson have to step up to make us dangerous on offense."
Arriving this summer to help out the position will be Dominick Blaylock, the stepson of Chattanooga Lookouts co-owner John Woods and a five-star signee out of Walton High in Marietta. Blaylock amassed 60 receptions for 1,052 yards and eight touchdowns last season and also had 10 rushing scores.
Smart is expecting Blaylock to help sooner than later but isn't defining his role.
"We don't have him pigeonholed, because Dom can play all three spots - the slot and both outside positions," Smart said. "He's very bright, and we think he's going to help in the return game, too."
Holloman will enter the 2019 season as Georgia's most battle-tested receiver, and it's not even close. He had two touchdown receptions in last year's 36-17 win over Florida, provided a key block that helped spring D'Andre Swift to his 77-yard touchdown run that clinched a 27-10 triumph against Auburn and at the team banquet last December received the Frank Sinkwich Award, given to the toughest Bulldogs player.
As he embraces a new leadership role at his position, Holloman insists Georgia's receivers will not suffer any letdown this year.
"We rep things so many times in practice that it is a next-man-up mentality," he said.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.