Dawn of the Dawg
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Georgia Football Awards for the 2017 team

By Alistair Penny

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Head Coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs is presented the trophy after the Bulldogs beat the Oklahoma Sooners 54-48 in double overtime in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Head Coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs is presented the trophy after the Bulldogs beat the Oklahoma Sooners 54-48 in double overtime in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Mecole Hardman
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Mecole Hardman /

Offensive Surprise of the Year

Mecole Hardman: Sophomore Wide Receiver

Now this one was a tough decision. D’Andre Swift took time from two of the best running backs in UGA’s history and nobody blinked. Andrew Thomas stepped in on day one and owned the right tackle spot. Ben Cleveland looks like the nastiest right guard I’ve seen in very long time.

But there is just something about Mecole. Back in the Spring, the guy was still playing on the defensive side of the ball, trying to make it as a cornerback. He took some late reps at receiver and then when the freshmen arrived, he moved over to the offense to see if that could be a better fit.

At the beginning of the season, we saw some flashes. As a return man, he came so close to busting out some big touchdown runs, but he never got quite away. In the Notre Dame game, he dropped a surefire touchdown that no doubt dented his confidence.

But when we got to the business end of the season, it was clear to see that he was just different out there. Catches that he previously was dropping started to stick. He was being targeted on key third downs on short routes and making the play. Then there’s the explosiveness. UGA is loaded with talent, but nobody can gash a team quite like Hardman.

On the 59 yarder against Mizzou, it looked like everyone else was in slow motion. The 80 yarder against Bama was one of the plays of the year. 6 months ago, the guy was getting his first reps at the position in his life. Fast forward and he might be out most dangerous receiver next season. That’s what I call a very pleasant surprise.

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