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Georgia Football: Stars don’t Matter

Max Tolbert
Max Tolbert

Dawn of the Dawg

Sep 24, 2022; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers (19) breaks a tackle by Kent State Golden Flashes safety JoJo Evans (23) and runs for a touchdown during the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia football is known for its stars. Whether that’s in recruiting 4-star or 5-star. Or having well-known players on the field.

Over the past few seasons, Georgia has had its share of stars. Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, Stetson Bennett and George Pickens. All of those guys were known coast to coast. If you went to Walhalla, North Dakota and someone told you they watched college football, they could tell you at least one person on that list.

Notably, someone was missing on that, which is Brock Bowers. Bowers was a star by the time the 2021 regular season ended. But, I left him off because it brings me to my next point. Georgia does not have a star this season, outside of Brock Bowers.

Georgia has a deeply talented roster. As you may know, Kirby Smart and the coaching staff have been recruiting at an unbelievable rate. But most of the players on the roster are not household names outside of Georgia and for that matter the Southeast.

Bullard, Starks, McConkey, Brinson, Stackhouse, and Van-Pran are all names that Georgia fans and SEC fans would know. Anybody outside of that bubble only could name Bowers.

In some ways it is a shame because Georgia has some great talented guys, but also guys that have a ton of personality. But, it probably does Georgia some favors because there are not any big names on this team. I think that’s why the national media doesn’t believe in Georgia like the SEC and Georgia media do.

That’s great! Keep doubting Georgia and the roster, just because they only have one “Star”. While Bowers is probably one of the best players in CFB, I would make the argument that Van-Pran is one of the best also. Van-Pran is a great College football lineman, but he will probably be one of the better centers in the NFL.

While Georgia doesn’t have many household names, it would not shock me that guys do become that over the season. Arian Smith can be one of those guys. If he can stay healthy for the season and catch over 600 yards, given his speed, Smith will become a highlight machine. Carson Beck is another candidate as well. If he has a similar season to Bennett in 2022, Beck will be a media favorite.

I think this is why among other reasons, Georgia is not the media darling. Outside of Bowers, there are not any household names. I, myself would not get all that upset by it, because if Georgia wins a title again, Georgia will be the household name.

Max Tolbert

Max Tolbert

I recently graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism. As a third-generation university graduate, being a Dawg runs deep in my veins. Growing up, my love for sports was undeniable. Whether it was watching games or getting involved in playing them, sports have always been a significant part of my life. As a lifelong Dawg fan, I've experienced the pain and misery of the most heartbreaking ways to lose. Thats all we knew till 2021; heartbreak. I currently live in the shadow of the iconic Sanford Stadium. With my wife and adorable newborn baby.