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Georgia football well represented on ESPN’s 2022 Top 100 player’s list

By Payton Wilkerson

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 10: The Georgia Bulldogs take the field against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the College Football Playoff Championship held at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 10: The Georgia Bulldogs take the field against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the College Football Playoff Championship held at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /
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Over the past five years, Kirby Smart and the rest of the Georgia football staff have been some of the best recruiters in college football. They have finished with a top four class every year since 2017 and have developed these recruits to become elite playmakers.

After winning the national championship last season, it seems some of the major media outlets are recognizing what kind of program Smart continues to build.

Those media outlets have also recognized the talent Georgia will display in the upcoming season.

ESPN published an article on the top 100 players in college football for the 2022 season. Among those players, seven Bulldogs made the cut on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

Georgia football saw a strong number on ESPN’s Top 100 players in 2022 list

The seven Dawgs that made ESPN’s list are:

  1. Jalen Carter-DT, Junior (ranked No. 6)
  2. Brock Bowers-TE, Sophomore (ranked No. 8)
  3. Kelee Ringo-CB, RS Sophomore (ranked No. 14)
  4. Nolan Smith-OLB, Senior (ranked No. 40)
  5. Stetson Bennett-QB, Senior (ranked No. 44)
  6. Christopher Smith-S, Senior (ranked No. 62)
  7. Arik Gilbert-TE/WR, RS Sophomore (ranked No. 85)

Many of these players, such as Bennett, Nolan Smith, and Christopher Smith, made headlines early in the offseason when they decided to return to Georgia for a shot to repeat as national champions. For guys like Carter and Nolan Smith, strong seasons could launch them into the conversation of being first-round NFL draft picks in 2023.

Chris Smith’s return was a massive win for the Georgia defense. Smith broke out last season with 34 tackles and three interceptions, and he projects to be one of the secondary leaders that will look to replace players like Lewis Cine and Derion Kendrick.

This will be the first season Georgia fans will see Arik Gilbert in the Red and Black. The Marietta native had 35 catches for 368 yards and two touchdowns in 2020 with LSU.

During this year’s spring game, Gilbert caught three passes for 49 yards and two touchdowns. Because of his insane athletic ability, offensive coordinator Todd Monken will likely run some plays with him lining up as a wide receiver, given how loaded the Georgia tight end room is with Bowers, Darnell Washington, and Oscar Delp.

These seven players and countless others will be crucial in 2022 as the Dawgs look to defend their national title and repeat as champions for the first time since Alabama did it in 2011-2012.

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We’ll find out just how good this team is in three weeks when they face off against the Oregon Ducks in Atlanta on Sept. 3.

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