Georgia Football: 5 Dawgs who could break out in Atlanta

3. Mecole Hardman:

I have to admit, I am a fully paid-up member of the Mecole Hardman fan club. Back when he was first transitioning to wide receiver, I was freaking out over the 5-second clips we saw coming out of spring camp. I went back and rewatched his high school highlights and started dreaming about that kind of talent getting the ball in his hands again.

While he has only flashed potential so far this season, I feel pretty confident that Hardman has found his home. He’s earned the role of 3rd receiver in a very talented group and he’s done so after only playing the position for 9 months. That’s impressive and it’s a sign of just how talented of a player he is.

Mecole has become an increasingly important part of the UGA offense. I think he’ll be even more necessary if Jake Fromm needs to throw the ball around tonight. Hardman will be going up against Bama’s 3rd and 4th corners. To me, that’s a  matchup that favors Georgia.

But Hardman is more than just a receiver. He is one of the most dangerous punt returners in the country and he’s come so close to breaking that big return for a TD this year. If there was ever a game where Georgia needed a special team touchdown, it’s this one. It’s never easy to achieve and that’s especially true against Bama, but if that lane opens up, Hardman will hit it.

As I said with Rodrigo, special teams could decide this matchup. It would be great is Hardman could have that first big return TD in Atlanta. What a help that would be for the Dawgs.