Georgia football: Five bold predictions for the 2017 season
3. Jacob Eason will throw 37+ touchdown passes
As of right now, the school record for touchdown passes in a season is 36 set by Aaron Murray in 2012. To break that record, Jacob Eason will need to throw 13 more touchdowns than he did in 2016. And I think he can do that.
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Earlier we mentioned how he has more targets to throw to. That can’t be overstated. In 2016, his targets out wide consisted of Isaiah McKenzie and Terry Godwin as returning players, Javon Wims as a junior college transfer, and true freshman Riley Ridley. No one else who saw the field at wide receiver showed any consistency.
But Georgia brought in a ton of new talent for Eason to throw to, and Mecole Hardman moved to receiver from defensive back. Him, as well as JUCO transfer Ahkil Crumpton and true freshman running back Deandre Swift have looked great as slot receivers. Michel and Brian Herrien have also worked there.
Out wide, Ridley and Wims will be joined by freshmen Mark Webb, J.J. Holloman and Trey Blount. And of course the Bulldogs were already set at tight end with Nauta, Jeb Blazevich, Jackson Harris and Charlie Woerner. That’s a lot of talented pass catchers for Eason to throw to. Much more than last year.
It’s a no brainer that he’ll throw more touchdown passes in 2017, but can he break Murray’s record? I think he can.