It's Christmas Eve and I know my children have run through their respective lists for Santa with me several times.
In keeping with that theme, today we are going to go through Georgia's wishlist in the transfer portal.
Keep in mind, Georgia isn't likely to be extremely active in the portal until after the CFP when more players currently on the roster make their intentions for next season known.
Having said that, here are some portal wishlist additions that Georgia has heading into 2022.
1. A PLAYMAKER AT WIDE RECEIVER
- Firstly, I still firmly believe that Jermaine Burton can assert himself as a number one receiver. Burton has been plagued by injury his first two seasons and has played with 3 different quarterbacks as well. Should Burton remain healthy for a full offseason and season, it's likely that he reaches his full potential. This will especially be true if the quarterback position has stability in the 2022 season.
- Even so, Georgia needs to add a dynamic playmaker at wideout. A receiver that can create after the catch. Two names that potentially fit that description, produced at a high level in the 2021 season, and are currently in the portal are Konata Mumpfield and Jacob Cowing. Mumpfield is out of Dacula High School in Georgia has offers from several SEC schools and USC since entering the portal after a breakout season at Akron. Cowing is an electrifying receiver that had 1,354 yards receiving this season and averaged 18.8 yards per reception for UTEP. Like Mumpfield, Cowing has received several SEC and Power 5 offers after just being in the portal for a couple of days. Georgia staff members are now following both receivers on their social media accounts. It's unclear as to if and when an official offer will come. There are likely receivers from larger schools that will enter the portal as spring ball approaches and commences.
2 a & b. AN EXPERIENCED SAFETY and CORNER
- Safety is going to be the position most depleted after the 2021 season. It's unlikely that Lewis Cine, William Poole, Chris Smith, or Latavious Brini return. Although it's not impossible, especially given the option of an extra year because of the 2020 Covid season. Georgia has Malaki Starks, Ja'Corey Thomas coming in via the Class of 2022. Also, Javon Bullard and Kamari Lassiter are versatile enough to help at safety. Even Julian Humphrey and Daylen Everette have the size and skill to be used as safeties, but none of the players listed have experience. Georgia needs to hit the portal and bring in an experienced safety for 2022. Tykee Smith is slated to return off his ACL surgery recovery, but he'll be shaking off the rust. Michael Dowell and Rome Weber are the only two safeties with experience in the portal right now. Dowell is transferring from Michigan State and Weber from Wyoming, not sure Georgia will pursue either.
- Kelee Ringo will return at cornerback. That's pretty much it by way of experience. Jaheim Singletary will come in with high expectations via the Class of 2022. Julian Humphrey and Daylen Everette have both played corner in high school. Nyland Green has not seen much time this season but is extremely talented and Kamari Lassiter could be used at corner as well. It wouldn't be shocking to see Georgia climb into the portal and bring in an experienced player on the outside to supplement the young talent it will have coming back and coming in.
3. RUNNING BACK
- The only things certain about Georgia's running back room next year are that it will be void of Zamir White and James Cook and that Branson Robinson will be a new edition. Kendall Milton and Kenny McIntosh in a perfect world would be penciled in to be the main producers in 2022. That cannot be taken for granted in today's college football climate, however. It is expected that both will return to Athens, but even then, can both remain healthy. Daijun Edwards has also flashed during his game reps at Georgia. Edwards has mostly played in mop-up duty and it will be interesting to see him get carries against the 1 defense this spring.
- If Tank Bigsby had entered the portal, Georgia would have been 100% all-in in trying to reel him in. Georgia had communications with Jahmyr Gibbs UGASports learned recently, but they did not advance far enough to persuade him not to head to Tuscaloosa.
- Yes, Zach Evans is still without at home and is still in the portal. No, I don't expect Georgia to enter into that realm of the Twilight Zone again.
- UGASports is told that at this time Jordan Bryant-James is still expected to sign with the Dawgs in February. Don't be surprised if another prominent RB hits the portal between now and the February signing date if Georgia pursues. The two scenarios aren't mutually exclusive either, especially depending on decisions of current backs on the roster.
4. QUARTERBACK
- NO, not Georgia going into the portal for a QB this offseason. This part of the wishlist is about Georgia doing a good job of managing the talent they have in the building following the completion of the College Football Playoffs. The QBs Georgia can retain and keep from entering the portal will be as important as anything. Lot's of options and scenarios, none are certain at this point and time. It would be ideal for Georgia if they could enter the spring with 4 scholarship QBs on the roster.
In keeping with that theme, today we are going to go through Georgia's wishlist in the transfer portal.
Keep in mind, Georgia isn't likely to be extremely active in the portal until after the CFP when more players currently on the roster make their intentions for next season known.
Having said that, here are some portal wishlist additions that Georgia has heading into 2022.
1. A PLAYMAKER AT WIDE RECEIVER
- Firstly, I still firmly believe that Jermaine Burton can assert himself as a number one receiver. Burton has been plagued by injury his first two seasons and has played with 3 different quarterbacks as well. Should Burton remain healthy for a full offseason and season, it's likely that he reaches his full potential. This will especially be true if the quarterback position has stability in the 2022 season.
- Even so, Georgia needs to add a dynamic playmaker at wideout. A receiver that can create after the catch. Two names that potentially fit that description, produced at a high level in the 2021 season, and are currently in the portal are Konata Mumpfield and Jacob Cowing. Mumpfield is out of Dacula High School in Georgia has offers from several SEC schools and USC since entering the portal after a breakout season at Akron. Cowing is an electrifying receiver that had 1,354 yards receiving this season and averaged 18.8 yards per reception for UTEP. Like Mumpfield, Cowing has received several SEC and Power 5 offers after just being in the portal for a couple of days. Georgia staff members are now following both receivers on their social media accounts. It's unclear as to if and when an official offer will come. There are likely receivers from larger schools that will enter the portal as spring ball approaches and commences.
2 a & b. AN EXPERIENCED SAFETY and CORNER
- Safety is going to be the position most depleted after the 2021 season. It's unlikely that Lewis Cine, William Poole, Chris Smith, or Latavious Brini return. Although it's not impossible, especially given the option of an extra year because of the 2020 Covid season. Georgia has Malaki Starks, Ja'Corey Thomas coming in via the Class of 2022. Also, Javon Bullard and Kamari Lassiter are versatile enough to help at safety. Even Julian Humphrey and Daylen Everette have the size and skill to be used as safeties, but none of the players listed have experience. Georgia needs to hit the portal and bring in an experienced safety for 2022. Tykee Smith is slated to return off his ACL surgery recovery, but he'll be shaking off the rust. Michael Dowell and Rome Weber are the only two safeties with experience in the portal right now. Dowell is transferring from Michigan State and Weber from Wyoming, not sure Georgia will pursue either.
- Kelee Ringo will return at cornerback. That's pretty much it by way of experience. Jaheim Singletary will come in with high expectations via the Class of 2022. Julian Humphrey and Daylen Everette have both played corner in high school. Nyland Green has not seen much time this season but is extremely talented and Kamari Lassiter could be used at corner as well. It wouldn't be shocking to see Georgia climb into the portal and bring in an experienced player on the outside to supplement the young talent it will have coming back and coming in.
3. RUNNING BACK
- The only things certain about Georgia's running back room next year are that it will be void of Zamir White and James Cook and that Branson Robinson will be a new edition. Kendall Milton and Kenny McIntosh in a perfect world would be penciled in to be the main producers in 2022. That cannot be taken for granted in today's college football climate, however. It is expected that both will return to Athens, but even then, can both remain healthy. Daijun Edwards has also flashed during his game reps at Georgia. Edwards has mostly played in mop-up duty and it will be interesting to see him get carries against the 1 defense this spring.
- If Tank Bigsby had entered the portal, Georgia would have been 100% all-in in trying to reel him in. Georgia had communications with Jahmyr Gibbs UGASports learned recently, but they did not advance far enough to persuade him not to head to Tuscaloosa.
- Yes, Zach Evans is still without at home and is still in the portal. No, I don't expect Georgia to enter into that realm of the Twilight Zone again.
- UGASports is told that at this time Jordan Bryant-James is still expected to sign with the Dawgs in February. Don't be surprised if another prominent RB hits the portal between now and the February signing date if Georgia pursues. The two scenarios aren't mutually exclusive either, especially depending on decisions of current backs on the roster.
4. QUARTERBACK
- NO, not Georgia going into the portal for a QB this offseason. This part of the wishlist is about Georgia doing a good job of managing the talent they have in the building following the completion of the College Football Playoffs. The QBs Georgia can retain and keep from entering the portal will be as important as anything. Lot's of options and scenarios, none are certain at this point and time. It would be ideal for Georgia if they could enter the spring with 4 scholarship QBs on the roster.
