Georgia football players that will send fans into a frenzy this spring

Almost two weeks into spring practice, and Georgia football is already flexing some muscle with its 2022 team. This group has a lot of evolving and coming together, but there are already players that sparked some interest.

While it’s easy to talk about Dawgs that intrigue us, we thought it was better to let spring ball get started before making predictions on who could impress the fanbase.

We all know that marinating on something a little while usually improves the flavor, so why not let them do something on the football field before predicting anything.

The Dawgs have a ton of talent at each position, and this spring will be about who wants it the most. Who among these players have the leadership skills and physical talent to keep Georgia in contention for another year?

Georgia football has players at each position already piquing the media’s interest.

The Dawgs lost a lot of leaders and veteran playmakers after the 2021 national championship run, so this spring is all about keeping an open mind and seeing what kind of steps head coach Kirby Smart takes.

He has finally won the big one, so now what? Will expectations stay the same or elevate to another level? We feel like the latter is what will happen if Smart’s personality tells us anything.

We decided to look at each position and give one or two names of players who could shock the fanbase this spring and get Dawg nation ready for the Fall.

Even though we all know Dawg fans have been prepared since January for football to return, this spring has a lot of Year 1 Smart-era vibes, especially with the fanbase planning on duplicating 93K Day.

The players on this list aren’t just newcomers, but guys who have been around, have some experience, and now have a genuine opportunity to start or be in the rotation.

Here are the guys that have already sparked some discussion after almost two weeks of spring practice.

Georgia football quarterbacks Carson Beck and Brock Vandagriff

Georgia football quarterback Stetson Bennett has essentially locked up the starting duties. However, the backup position is open for the remaining quarterbacks to duke it out and compete for that spot.

Both Carson Beck and Brock Vandagriff have looked good this spring. Beck, in particular, has stepped up and shown what kind of quarterback he is, and the media already took note. He was throwing lasers during the Georgia Pro Day event last week, and the reports suggest that he is making great throws in practice as well.

Beck had some growing up to do after last season when he threw an interception and didn’t even attempt to run down the defender, so seeing him shine in practice is great to see.

Head coach Kirby Smart and Bennett spoke to the media about the tough conversation and what needed to improve from the super senior. While Bennett is Georgia’s guy, for now, look for Beck to challenge that this spring.

This newfound confidence he has shown so far could help him take Bennett’s spot or secure the backup position. Georgia has seen Beck play well during the spring, though, so he will have to continue that outside of practice to secure the role.

If he isn’t careful, Vandagriff will take the backup role from him. He is so physically talented that it’s hard to understand why he hasn’t taken over yet. Reports from practice suggest Vandagriff is making some great throws to the receivers, so this duo will be fun watching duke it out for that backup spot.

Beck and Vandagriff could take that spot from Bennett if the veteran gets complacent, but that competitiveness will likely help make Bennett.

Georgia fans could have heart palpitations if Beck or Vandagriff explode onto the scene because they’ve been waiting so long for an explosive quarterback to take over the offense.

Georgia football running back Kendall Milton

Another position that Georgia football has multiple players impressing already is in the running back group. However, it’s Kendall Milton that looks healthy, fast and strong, which tells us he is leveling up to do something incredible in 2022.

After another season of fighting through adversity, he has the opportunity to take this starting role and do something with it. Milton has this maturity that screams starter, but so does his fellow running back Kenny McIntosh.

While the duo will likely share the starting role, Milton has a shot this spring to prove himself worthy of being a premier back that Georgia trusts with most reps. He will have a big season, and it’s a prediction we feel confident making because it’s Milton’s moment to shine.

Milton will be a deadly package for the Dawgs if he has the proper amount of time to heal his body and gain strength. He can catch the ball, but his speed and ability to run over players is where he’ll shine brightest.

There will be many fans purchasing his jersey after seeing what he can do when given a chance. Georgia fans may worry about Zamir White and James Cook leaving for the NFL Draft, but this position and RBU’s reputation are in mighty good hands.

Milton is already getting attention this spring, and he is about to emerge as a force to be reckoned with to show that the last two years of injuries will not define his collegiate career. This season is the one for him, and it’s why he makes this list as a solo player to watch.

Georgia football receivers Dominick Blaylock and Marcus Rosmy-Jacksaint

Two Georgia football receivers that will excite the Dawgs’ fanbase this spring are Dominick Blaylock and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint. This duo has gone through so much during their time in Athens that they are ready to remind Dawg Nation who they are.

Blaylock has experienced so much adversity with his injuries, and it’s incredible to see him still fighting for his time in the spotlight.

Rosemy-Jacksaint has also fought through nagging injuries that caused him to be in and out of the rotation. He got to play some in 2021, but not as much as he likely wanted. Rosemy-Jacksaint had his role to play down the stretch, and he did a great job, but now it’s time to emerge and compete with the other receivers.

Both guys are incredibly talented receivers, and now that they are healthy, this 2022 season is all about their redemption.

Head coach Kirby Smart talked about Blaylock in his Tuesday press conference and how his confidence grew with the offseason program, Georgia has him doing. He is a team player, and it’s great to see him fight for what he wants to do.

If he emerges as one of the Dawgs’ top receivers, the fanbase will rejoice in seeing him succeed again. The same could be said with Rosemy-Jacksaint.

While he has gotten a little more time than Blaylock, it’s time for him to rise and be a playmaker. Reports suggest that he made some great catches during spring practice already, so it seems he is right on track.

These two have a new coach, and it’s going to be fun seeing what Bryan McClendon does with this group of receivers.

While Arian Smith, Brock Bowers, and the other tight ends have been a big discussion, don’t sleep on either of these young men because 2022 is about them being a reliable target for starting quarterback Stetson Bennett.

Georgia football offensive linemen Warren McClendon and Earnest Greene

Georgia football has a mixture of new and young guys at the offensive line, so there will be a lot to watch for at this position. However, after almost two weeks of spring practice, Earnest Greene and Warren McClendon are the two linemen who have already impressed.

According to some reports, Greene was repping with the second-team rotation during the 20-minute practice session the media got earlier this week. This news came as a surprise to some, but he is someone we suggested could get playing time early because of the kind of player Greene is.

Newly hired offensive line coach Stacy Searels is already playing with rotations and guys at different positions, so to see Greene taking some second-team reps is a great sign.

Georgia fans would lose it if he were to work his way into the lineup because it’s hard to play in the SEC as a true freshman. However, it isn’t impossible, and if Searels thinks it’s a good choice, by all means, let’s give it a whirl.

McClendon is one of the veterans on this offensive line, and he knows the drill. He has his role, and this is the year we see him, pancake defenders, as Jamaree Salyer did.

Between him and Sedrick Van Pran, they are the leaders of this offensive line, and I look for him to be a mentor to Greene and the other linemen signees. He has been a steady rock for the Dawgs, and 2022 will have a big season.

Georgia football defensive lineman Warren Brinson

Georgia football fans all know that Jalen Carter is the anchor of the 2022 defensive line, but who will be his partner in crime like Devonte Wyatt and Jordan Davis were with each other the past two seasons?

Warren Brinson is someone we think has a big season and is already showing off his strength this spring. Carter will leave Georgia as the best defensive lineman ever to come through Athens, but Brinson will make a great addition right alongside him.

He has the strength to be successful and while he played more in a cleanup role during the 2021 season, look for him to steal the spotlight from the likes of the 2022 signing class and the mid-years who are already practicing with Georgia.

A few of those youngsters play on the defensive line, and a lot of media predict they will fight their way into the rotation.

However, some of the rumors surrounding spring practice suggest that Brinson is working hard. The defensive front needs to see these players get mean and nasty to stay at the elite level we saw last season.

It’s unrealistic to think they will be the same as last year’s because the 2021 defense was ridiculous, but they need to find their identity to understand it and come together as one.

Brinson seems to be finding his identity and showing the coaching staff why he deserves to compliment Carter on that defensive front.

Georgia football linebackers Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Marlin Dean

The position that will likely see the most competition for Georgia football is at the linebacker spot. While there are big shoes to fill inside and outside, Jamon Dumas-Johson and Marlin Dean are two guys who will be household names this season.

Dumas-Johnson already has some success under his belt, but as someone, head coach Kirby Smart said is getting opportunities. He showed some flashes, but there has been some growth there that finally has put things all together.

Now he understands how things go and can really focus on improving. With new linebackers coach Chidera Uzo-Diribe at the position, Dumas-Johnson has a chance to impress right away and show the new coach what he has.

Dean is on the roster as a defensive end, but reports suggest he is working out with the linebackers and looks quick. It seems like he made the switch, and that will be a deadly weapon for Georgia.

Dean has so much explosiveness in his playing style that seeing him play linebacker will present a few ESPN Top-10 moments.

He is going to have a big spring and prove himself at G-day. Dean is mean in all the right ways, so we expect him to hit the ground running in 2022. While it could take some time to learn the different techniques, Dean is physically gifted, which could come naturally to him.

He is on this list because people will know his name by the end of spring and won’t forget it. Dumas-Johnson is another that fans will learn even more this spring because they are taking advantage of the opportunity presented.

Georgia football defensive back Daylen Everette

Georgia football has a secondary with a lot of returners and a lot of new faces in it that are impressive. That 2022 defensive back class was probably the best one signed in the school’s history, so this group has big expectations.

Some practice reports suggest that true freshman Daylen Everette is already receiving praise for performing well in practice, which is no surprise.

He is exceptionally talented and already has the size to be an SEC defensive back. Everette could be the youngster the fans fall in love with the way they did Kelee Ringo.

Head coach Kirby Smart and co-defensive coordinator Will Muschamp have exceptionally high expectations for the secondary, so to see him already impressing in drills during the first two weeks of spring practice should excite people.

It’s still early, but Everette will have a few fans in the stands at Sanford Stadium with his jersey supporting him because he is a stud that will contribute early.

This group has a lot of veterans in it like Christopher Smith, William Poole and Ringo, but the one player who is going to shock the system is Everette.

Keep an eye on him because if he continues this path, G-Day could be a coming-out party for the youngster.

Georgia football kicker Jack Podlesny

Last on this list is Georgia football kickers Jack Podlesny and Jared Zirked, who could see some action in 2022.

Will Podlesny take over kickoffs again, or will Jared Zirkel, the scholarship kicker out of Texas, take on that role?

Podlesny did a great job with field goals last season despite struggling a tad initially.

He had an 81.48% completion rate as he went 22-of-27 overall, 10-of-10 from 29-yards in, 7-of-9 from 30-39 yards and 5-of-8 from 40-to-49 yards. Podlesny has a great leg and is an extremely accurate field-goal kicker, but his four kickoffs were not great last season as he averaged 58.5 yards.

Zirkel had three kickoffs, and all three went for touchbacks, so Georgia could turn to him for that role. He has a massive leg, and the Dawgs thrive when they start defensive drives deep in opponents’ territories.

Podlesny is now coming into his third year, so he should be someone who has a solid year. Another successful year under his belt should allow him to keep his field goal kicking duties, but I don’t think he will be on kickoffs if Zirkel can handle it.

Georgia always has a strong kicker, so Podlensy needs to show the fans that his leg is more than capable of making game-winning field goals if needed and that he is the best kicker for the job.

He hasn’t gotten that much attention yet this spring, but he and the other kickers are on this team and have pivotal roles, so we included them.

These two will excite the fans because they will do their jobs and keep that ice in their veins allowing fans to breathe easy if and when the Dawgs need to use their kickers.

Georgia football has the talent, and now this spring is about coming together as one unit. The Dawgs have the right playmakers returning, and now it’s time to start something great for themselves in 2022.

These players are the ones who could send the fanbase into a frenzy in all the right ways because it’s time for them to have a big season.