Georgia football wrapped up spring almost a month ago, and with most of the transfers announced, let’s predict how the two-deep depth chart could look for both sides of the ball.
The Dawgs have a few positions that most fans know who the starters will be, but how will those backup situations look? We know head coach Kirby Smart likes having options, and with so much to replace, it’s crucial to have a few choices.
Will losing 15 to the NFL and 10 in the transfer portal make a difference for this 2022 Georgia squad, or has Smart and his staff reloaded?
This Georgia football two-deep depth chart is what it looks like post spring.
Both sides of the ball are looking to fill some big shoes, but Athens has a lot of talent, so the Dawgs should be in solid hands.
Georgia returns most of its offensive playmakers and line, but some areas have questions circling it.
Some may feel like the Dawgs have too many weapons, which could result in more transfers, but Georgia showed it could spread the wealth last season, and one can assume that type of offense will continue in 2022. Those that were transferring are likely already gone, but there could be a couple more this summer among the ones not too worried about playing right away.
Defensively will be a bit more tricky, but Georgia has a lot of guys who have 70-plus snaps returning that could take advantage of this opportunity and earn a starting role.
After the G-Day game, the linebacker room drew some questions, but Glenn Schumann has worked with less and developed them into rockstars so that confidence will remain. Plus, the new outside linebackers coach Chidera Uzo-Diribe needs the benefit of the doubt until otherwise, so that group should be fine by the start of the season.
Let’s look at each side of the ball and make some predictions on how the two-deep depth chart may appear right now.
A prediction of the 2022 Georgia football offense depth chart
Of course, Georgia football super senior Stetson Bennett will be the starting quarterback, but how will the rest of this offense shape up in 2022?
Will Kendall Milton and Kenny McIntosh be the next pair of running backs that will start, or will one emerge as a premier back? Sure tight end Brock Bowers will be a starter, and AD Mitchell could be as well, but there are a lot of guys that competed this spring, like Arik Gilbert and Oscar Delp, that earned some playing time.
What about Darnell Washington and other receivers who need playing time because they are elite too?
One of the best things about offensive coordinator Todd Monken is that he likes to use a lot of personnel and spread the wealth.
Last season Georgia averaged nine different players recording at least one catch per game, with seven of those being some kind of receiver and two being running backs. The Dawgs also averaged seven people recording at least one rush each game.
Talk about spreading the wealth, and the offense did just that. The best part about it is that Georgia returns most of its offensive playmakers, who were part of the large group of people getting at least one catch during last year’s games.
Here is how we think the Georgia football offense will look at each position.
Quarterback
- Stetson Bennett
- Carson Beck
- Brock Vandagriff
Bennett secured his job last season, and there is no reason he won’t be the guy in 2022. Beck had a strong G-Day and spring, and he will be there to learn from Bennett and be there if something happens.
The quarterback has grown a lot since last season, but he still has some work. We all must remember that at G-Day, Beck went against the backups and not the defense Georgia will field each week. He is the backup right now, but don’t count out Brock Vandagriff either because he went up against the first-string defense and had to work for it.
Bennett is the guy, though, and unless something drastic happens, he will stay the guy. There is no reason not to start him.
Running back
- Kendall Milton
- Kenny McIntosh
- Daijun Edwards
If years’ past tells us anything, Georgia uses a running back by committee mindset, but Milton could change that. He seems poised to have a breakout season, but that will have to get earned if head coach Kirby Smart will steer away from something that works.
However, this duo will be strong because they have been around to know what they need to do. Daijun Edwards will be the third stringer McIntosh played with Milton during the last few years.
Many guys will get snaps at the running back position this year, but Milton will have the biggest year.
Offensive line
Left Tackle:
- Broderick Jones
- Amarius Mims/Earnest Greene
Left Guard:
- Xavier Truss
- Micah Morris
Center
- Sedrick Van Pran
- Warren Ericson
Right Guard
- Devin Willock/ Tate Ratledge
- Warren Ericson
Right Tackle
- Warren McClendon
- Amarius Mims/Aliou Bah/Earnest Greene
This position group has a lot of movement outside the tackles and center as McClendon, and Van Pran secured their starting roles. Jones is another who has secured his spot after filling the position when Jamaree Salyer couldn’t last year. When he could do that, it allowed Salyer to go inside, which helped the Dawgs even more.
Some true freshmen could push their way into this starting lineup and earn some playing time, as Greene is one of those guys.
Mims is back from the transfer portal, and he will likely be someone who sees more playing time if he earns it.
Ratledge is where he is because this time last year, it was his spot to lose, but with that injury, there are some red flags, but if he heals, then it’s his starting spot, and it’ll elevate the offensive line to another level.
Truss is someone who waited for his turn and could get a lot of playing time, and then Morris is another name that is growing and patiently waiting to get more time. He seemed to have developed a lot this spring, so he appears on this two-deep prediction.
Tight end
- Brock Bowers/Arik Gilbert
- Darnell Washington
Washington and Bowers missed most of the spring because of injuries, but they will get a lot of playing time in 2022. The rising sophomore has high expectations, but he will likely shine as bright as he did in Year 1.
However, don’t get us wrong, Oscar Delp will get playing time. He is a freshman, so that could push him down the totem pole some, but expect him to push Washington and the rest of this crew. Gilbert stood out in G-Day and has similar expectations surrounding him that Bowers does, which is why they are together.
He will be on the field with Bowers, then Washington will be the next in line. Washington has to find a way to play to his size, or Delp will beat him.
X-receiver
- AD Mitchell
- Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint/Jackson Meeks
Y-receiver
- Ladd McConkey
- Dominick Blaylock/Kearis Jackson
Z-receiver
- Arian Smith
- Kearis Jackson/De’Nylon Morrissette
This group looks to replace George Pickens and Jermaine Burton as one left for the NFL and the other transferred to Alabama.
Mitchell proved himself in the playoffs last year, and his spring was strong as well, so he is an easy starter prediction.
McConkey can play multiple different spots, but he is someone who will start after such a solid first year. He stepped up when Georgia needed him most, and that alone will be a reason he will be on the field a lot.
Morrissette is another who had a strong spring, so look for him to try and earn a way onto the field.
There are many moving parts in the receiving room, with Bryan McClendon taking over the job. He has his system, but there will be more than the guys listed that will get playing time.
This receiving corp is stout and has a lot of guys on it that can ball out and fill the roles Georgia needs out of its wide outs.
A prediction of the 2022 Georgia football defense depth chart
Defensively it’s a different story because the Dawgs lost a lot, but those returning account for a lot of havoc, so while it won’t be the same, this group will form its own individual identity.
Now that there are fewer days to the season than there are since Georgia beat Alabama in the national championship let’s look at the defensive side of the ball and predict two deep lineups for each position.
This group has to follow up on one of the most outstanding modern-day defenses, so the expectations here need to be realistic. They aren’t the same defense as the 2021 one because that doesn’t happen every year.
Will this group be good? Yes, but there need to be realistic expectations because unless this group comes together and plays like one, it will be elite, but not as good as 2021, and that is okay.
Defensive Tackle/Nose Tackle
- Jalen Carter/Zion Logue
- Warren Brinson/Bear Alexander
- Nazir Stackhouse/ Christen Miller
We combined this group because it feels like there will be a lot of moving parts here outside Carter. He has that position locked up, but who can help him out?
Zion Logue is one of those guys, and then there is Brinson and Stackhouse who both have some experience but need more. If they can help Carter out, they will quickly learn what they need to and contribute more.
Alexander is a more extended shot, but so is Miller. However, both have the natural ability, so it’ll be interesting to see what they do during Fall Camp.
Defensive End
- Tramel Walthour/Tyrion Ingram Dawkins
- Mykell Williams
Walthour has an excellent opportunity to prove himself at this position, but Williams will snatch it from him if he isn’t careful. Head coach Kirby Smart keeps Williams under wraps, which tells us he may be exceptional.
Smart refused to give him much credit this spring, but the kid has the “it” factor, and we will see it this fall.
Jack Linebacker
- Nolan Smith
- Chaz Chambliss/Marvin Jones Jr.
Mac Linebacker
- Smael Mondon Jr.
- Trezmen Marshall/Xavian Sorey Jr.
Sam Linebacker
- Robert Beal
- MJ Sherman
Money Linebacker
- Jamon Dumas-Johnson
- Jalon Walker
Smith came back to lead this defense, and he will get his moment in 2022. He is an obvious starter, and so is Beal. This duo was a huge piece of the puzzle in 2021, and the Dawgs are lucky to have them back for this year.
They will be a force, and while the Dawgs don’t use the Sam linebacker a lot, Beal and Smith will be hard to keep off the field, so Georgia could move some stuff around to keep them both on the field.
https://twitter.com/GeorgiaFootball/status/1522705245192732672?s=20&t=4kcTF9q2Rd6bIubdesYSRw
Sherman is someone who needs a strong year. Dumas-Johnson is someone that has solidified a spot as the next field general, as he proved himself during G-Day.
Jones Jr. will be a force so that he can fight his way into the two-deep lineup. Mondon Jr. is also someone that will have a big year. If he stays healthy, watch out.
This linebacker position has a lot of questions surrounding it, but if these guys that have a lot of potential live up to it, this group will once again be one of the best in the country.
Secondary
Left Corner
- Daylen Everette
- Kamari Lassiter
Strong Safety
- Chris Smith
- Malaki Starks/ JaCorey Thomas
Free Safety:
- Dan Jackson/David Daniel-Sisavanh
- JaCorey Thomas/ Malaki Starks
Right Corner
- Kelee Ringo
- Nyland Green/Jaheim Singletary
STAR
- Malaki Starks/William Poole
- Tykee Smith/Javon Bullard
This group got great news when Tykee Smith, Chris Smith, and William Poole decided to come back for another year. They give this position some much-needed experience but watch out for the young guys.
This year, four freshmen could see playing time as Starks, Thomas, Singletary and Everette are all budding stars.
Depth will be a big issue in this group, so many moving parts will likely be the key to success. Both those returning plus a lot of the youngsters could prove to give the Dawgs a great mixture.
Georgia football has some areas to work on, but for the most part, the Dawgs have a solid team that could contend once again in 2022.