In 2017, the college football world got its first taste of the success Kirby Smart was about to bring to the Georgia Bulldogs. The team, despite being preseason ranked at No. 15, won an SEC Championship and the Rose Bowl on the way to its first National Championship appearance in nearly 40 years.
A lot of players get praised for their heroic performances that season on offense. Jake Fromm, Nick Chubb, and Sony Michel along with many others reap praises from Georgia fans still to this day. However, true Georgia fans remember Javon Wims. Wims was an incredible jump ball receiver that was one of Fromm's favorite targets in that historic season.
Now, Wims is giving back to Georgia in a unique way as UGA's current wide receiver coach is drawing on what he learned from Wims.
Kirby Smart on Wims helping coach WR's
In Kirby Smart's press conference on Monday, Smart took the time to express how great it is to have a coach who learned so much from Wims.
"It's great because (James) Coley knew Javon when he was here, and they've got a good relationship. He gives good energy. He gives experience to these guys who played at that level, and he demands a lot of those guys."
Physicality is what Georgia embodies, and Wims was the perfect example of that in his time at UGA. Smart has to love what Wims is able to teach the young wide receiver group in Athens. With guys like Talyn Taylor and Sacovie White-Helton in the room, Wims can push them to be ready and physical enough for when they will be put into starting roles likely next season.
Wims' Career at Georgia
Though he received some playing time in 2016, Wims did not really get going at Georgia until that 2017 season. In that season, Wims had 720 receiving yards along with seven touchdowns, leading the team in both categories.
He notably had big games against Kentucky and Georgia Tech, where in those two games he combined for 11 catches for 160 yards and two touchdowns. His style of play fit perfectly into what freshman quarterback Fromm needed. He was a trustworthy jump ball receiver on the outside that made plays if the football was in his vicinity. Wims would eventually be drafted in the seventh round by the Chicago Bears in 2018.
Wims should always be remembered for all the good he did during his playing career at Georgia, but he is now thriving in a new role at UGA as he helps the next generation of Bulldogs.