It’s now time for part two of our four-part series where we chose Georgia’s player of the year by class. Today we choose the Dawgs’ top junior.
There were a lot more options to choose from when it comes to picking Georgia’s top junior from this season. Georgia had 16 juniors that played significant snaps this season, but one, despite his stature, stood above the rest.
Dawn of the Dawg Junior of the Year:
Isaiah McKenzie
“The Human Joystick” did everything that was asked of him and more this season. The alleged 5-foot-8, 175-pound junior was the Dawgs’ most consistent playmaker in 2016.
McKenzie is an x-factor type player that you typically want to reserve as a secret weapon, but with Georgia’s offense lacking playmakers in the season’s first several games, McKenzie carried the burden as the Dawgs’ top offensive weapon.
McKenzie led Georgia with 40 receptions for 530 yards and seven touchdowns on the season.
His 244 punt returns ranked first in the SEC and his 10.6 yards per punt return ranked second in the conference. His 82-yard punt return for a touchdown against UL-Lafayette was the sixth return touchdown of his career, breaking Brandon Boykin’s school record of five.
McKenzie also added 131 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
His 10 total touchdowns tied him for the fifth most in the SEC.
With his diminutive size, McKenzie is not going to have many NFL teams knocking on his door. And after his most productive season in Athens to date, he should be one of the Dawgs’ top playmakers again in 2017.
Junior of the Year Honorable Mention:
Nick Chubb
While Chubb led Georgia with 988 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, the junior tailback failed to match the unbelievably high expectations that were set by not only his freshman and sophomore seasons, but also by his 222 yards against North Carolina in the season opener.
Sony Michel
After missing the season’s first two games, Michel finished second on the team with 753 rushing yards, and at times was much more effective than Chubb and he was also effective in the passing game.
Dominick Sanders
Sanders finished the season with 31 tackles and a team-high three interceptions.