Georgia football: After loss to Alabama, where does Georgia go from here?

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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: The Georgia Bulldogs celebrate (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Optimism (cont.)

The offensive line

However, the offensive line deserves more optimism than any other area of the field. They took great strides in 2017, but after two-straight fantastic recruiting classes for the unit, they’ll be way better in 2018.

Isaiah Wynn is the only starter leaving and Dyshon Sims is the only backup leaving. Everyone else besides center Lamont Gailard is either a freshman or sophomore. Add the redshirts and new comers and the offensive line will probably be the best in the SEC in 2018. Possibly the best in the nation.

Running backs

Here’s your reminder that D’Andre Swift had over 700 all-purpose yards as a third-string tailback. He’ll certainly build on that in the spring and summer. He is in for a great career. Brian Herrien and Elijah Holyfield return as well.

But the big boost is the coming of freshmen James Cook and Zamir White. Both are among the best running backs in the nation and given Georgia’s recent history with tailbacks. Expect a big season from them immediately.

Also, and do with this notion whatever you want, Jim Cheney seems uncomfortable with just two backs. He went away from Chubb and Michel way too much and way too early all year. Monday night was no exception. But he seems to want to spread the ball around to multiple backs.

Without being obliged to just hand the ball to Chubb or Michel, we might see better play calling from Cheney. Or I could be wrong. Regardless, White and Cook will provide a huge boost to the backfield.

Defensive line

The Defensive line has been Georgia’s deepest unit for a couple of years now and that isn’t going to change. Even with John Atkins graduating, and Trenton Thompson and Jonathan Ledbetter possibly leaving early, That leaves a strong group of rising juniors.

Tyler Clark, David Marshall and Julian Rochester will be the leaders considering Thompson and Ledbetter leave. If they return, the unit will be that much better. Also, like the offensive line, great recruiting classes will ensure that someone new steps up in 2018.

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