Athens — The core of Georgia’s football team for 2024 is beginning to take shape, and there are a few important positions that NFL stars will need to fill.
The Bulldogs need to add more impact players through the NCAA transfer portal because the answers aren’t as clear as they were in previous seasons.
Although his program is the best at producing NFL draft picks—9 in 2021, 15 in 2022, and 10 last season—Kirby Smart was aware that attrition would occur.
Sedrick Van Pran, regarded by some as the best center prospect in the NFL draft, made it clear he would turn pro.
Brock Bowers, Amarius Mims, and Kamari Lassiter all had first-round NFL projections, so their departures made sense.
However, safety Javon Bullard and receiver Ladd McConkey had tough choices to make.
Though both or either could have made it into the first round with an additional year at UGA, each one projects as a second-day pick.
Neither McConkey nor Bullard, two leaders in the locker room and game-changing players, have a clear replacement on the current roster.
The following Georgia veterans—Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, Kendall Milton, Daijun Edwards, Zion Logue, and Tykee Smith—who filed for the draft will also be missed.
Warren Brinson and Nazir Stackhouse seem destined to emulate Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt, who notably made a comeback for the 2021 campaign in an attempt to win a championship and raise their draft position.
Like Stackhouse, Tate Ratledge was anticipated to be selected in the second round and looks to be returning for the Bulldogs in what could be an All-American campaign. What gets done by Xavier Truss?
After one season in the system, Dominic Lovett is expected to be more comfortable and is expected to be the top returning receiver.
Warm
It was evident where UGA failed last season as Michigan dominated the Alabama offensive line, recording five first-half sacks and a fourth-down stop in overtime. Stackhouse and Brinson must decide how to proceed.
Although Carson Beck’s return for his final season is crucial, Beck wasn’t quite up to par in UGA’s victory over Florida State. To his credit, Beck has acknowledged that he is aware of areas in which he can improve “hugely.”
DJ Uiagalelei just transferred from Oregon State to cold Florida State. When he was at Clemson, Georgia recalls defeating Uiagalelei in the 2021 season opener. It’s difficult to see “DJU” leading the Seminoles to victory once more.
