How will Todd Monken use Georgia’s talented roster?
By Eric Taylor
New Georgia offensive coordinator Todd Monken has some real talent to work with on this roster, so how will he use them?
Todd Monken is the new offensive coordinator for the Georgia Bulldogs. He was the offensive coordinator for Oklahoma State under Mike Gundy in 2011 and 2012, both years of explosive offensive production for the Cowboys. His track record points to success in nearly every stop in his career, and he’s got some real talent to work with in his new job.
The first thing that comes to mind for fans when thinking about Todd Monken is how similar George Pickens is to Justin Blackmon, or Zamir White is to Joseph Randle. Monken coached Blackmon and Randle at Oklahoma State back in 2011
In 2011, Randle rushed 208 times for 1,216 yards, an average of 5.84 yards per carry, and 24 touchdowns. Blackmon caught 122 passes for 1,522 yards, an average of 12.48 yards per reception, and 18 touchdowns.
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Imagine what Pickens and White could do in a similar offense. Georgia hasn’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since 2002 and hasn’t had a running back with over 20 touchdowns, ever (the closest being Garrison Hearst with 19 in 1992).
In 2019 White and Pickens attained similar per-carry averages on about half the touches. Given more opportunities, they could thrive in a Monken offense.
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the talent level that Georgia has on its roster on the offensive side of the ball. Players like Dominick Blaylock, Demetris Robertson, Kearis Jackson, Trey Blount, Makiya Tongue, Tommy Bush, and Matt Landers give Monken and his scheme endless ways to distribute the ball.
If that isn’t enough the Bulldogs just added four true freshmen wide receivers to their roster. Justin Robinson, a four-star recruit from Georgia, Marcus Rosemy, a four-star recruit from Florida, Jermaine Burton, a four-star recruit from California, and Arian Smith, a four-star recruit from Florida.
Monken has to be salivating at the chance to get to work with this much talent at the receiver position. His philosophy starts with passing to set up the run. Well, Georgia certainly has the talent at receiver for that to work. They also were able to add a couple of tight ends to the fold this cycle in Darnell Washington, a five-star recruit from Nevada and Tre’ McKitty, a grad transfer from Florida.
The talent doesn’t stop there though, the Bulldogs’ backfield is just as stacked. They signed Kendall Milton, a five-star recruit from California, this past recruiting cycle. Milton will join Zamir White, James Cook, and Kenny McIntosh in Georgia’s backfield.
Georgia also brought in Jamie Newman, a grad transfer dual-threat quarterback, to compete with Carson Beck, a four-star recruit from Florida, and D’wan Mathis for the starting job this year. Monken had great success with Brandon Weeden at Oklahoma State.
Weeden completed 409 of 565 passes, a completion percentage of 72.4, for 4,727 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.
Monken hasn’t really worked with a dual-threat quarterback. The closest he has come in Jameis Winston, but he is much more of a pro-style quarterback. It will be interesting to see how he uses Newman in his offense.
The new Georgia offensive coordinator talked about his offensive philosophy and how he approaches playcalling:
Monken mentions that he had five skill players at Tampa Bay with over 700 yards in his offense. Georgia had just two skill players go over 500 yards last year. This is the dynamic offense Monken brings with him to Georgia. A much-needed evolution in the offensive approach that will lead to more explosive plays.
Monken definitely has the talent to make that happen, the only question now is, will Kirby Smart hand him the keys and let him drive or will he force his offensive philosophy on him. Only time will tell.