Let’s get the crappy part out of the way first, that was no fun on Saturday. The momentum shift on the 3 and 21/4&4 to the TD that followed was brutal. Losing Mims sucked. If Ladd, Mims, Brock, Rara are healthy, we get it done. Without those guys we didn’t have anyone that scared them out of their bread and butter. They made it ugly and they made it a big on big game and we got whipped. We called plays like we were inferior on both sides at times. No other explanation. For the crowd that wants it(yes, this is another essay so bow after beyond the next sentence and have a great day). Crow is a foul tasting bird, I’m here to eat it.
There is never a good time for an L, especially not in the midst of 29 in a row and it being in a playoff eliminator. That part stings and will sting as we look back at this team and what could have been. So will AD at Texas, Trez and Burton continuing their season in the playoffs and Saturday we missed a guy like Bear.
This team played with their food too much. Not saying that was the case on Saturday but you could feel the pressure with each passing week. You could feel it in the GP Saturday, you could feel it in the fan base. The day we lost was eventually going to come. As I mentioned before the timing of it sucks but nobody is more pissed than Kirby and guys that will be back next year. Our sophomore’s have never experienced this, our juniors have never experienced life without a playoff preparation. It may get worst before it gets better in terms of the portal. But make no mistake, we will get better.
Carson is the biggest re-recruit possible. That kids comes back and we are consensus 1 overall next year. If he doesn’t, it gets hectic in terms of projections. He’s going in the top 40-50 draft picks if he leaves, objectively. If we can swing a 7 figure deal and he comes back, that’s 30 next year. But if he wants to go to an ideal situation for his long term development, this year is the move. It’s quite the dichotomy for both Carson and the team.
Should he move on, BV, Gunner, Freshmen with BV having the leg up as it stands, if it’s not BV, it will be a transfer to compete at QB. Raiola, Pugs, aren’t playing nor should they next year. Don’t even fret that, the worst thing you can do is play a QB as a freshmen, for every Caleb Williams there is a Fromm or Barkley who ends up shell shocked.
RB-Watch for a transfer here, Haynes, ETN, etc. + Branson, Paul, Rod unless 1 leaves.
WR-Rara and Lovett could use another year. QB situation will loom large if I had to guess. I also think this is a guaranteed portal addition or 2 coming.
TE-Delp/Luckie+ Spurlin and the freshmen. That room is solid albeit different without 19.
OL- Blaske is the single most important re-recruit on the OL. Wilson will hold up solid as a C. He’s not Blaske though. The versatility AB brings as a swing tackle is crucial for next year. That’s the only position that isn’t going to have addition by subtraction sans Mims few healthy snaps. Freeling is a future all American, Greene will improve. Fairchild and Morris are the best combo of guards we’ve had. Need Blaske back or Wilson to step up. The starting 5 will be an upgrade 1-5 on this year. The depth is YOUNG.
DL- Another spot a portal addition is likely added, specifically as a 5 tech. Hanging onto Mykell is crucial. Same goes for Christen Miller. A front 4 of Mykell, Miller, Hall, Jalon Walker/insert stud upcoming sophomore OLB is considerably improved from this year. Look for M’pemba and Gabe Harris to bulk up and play a lot here too.
OLb- It’s time for the Jalon Walker experiment to end at ILB. That kid is a pass rushing superstar and physical as hell. He needs to lock into the buck role and not let anyone top him off. Chaz will play in run downs and he’s effective. I doubt MJJ is back next year, no inside scoop. But he’s going to get recruited over with freshmen this year with another year in the room. Standing up saps him of his natural ability, if he does stay, pack 20 on him and move him to 5t.
ILB- Getting JDJ to come back is massive. That injury hurt us the most Saturday. He’s the brain trust on D and does a lot of the thinking for everyone else. He’s physical as hell and is a reason we can play with less DL than most. Without him the warts on the DL reared their head. It’s usually the inverse. But not with this last group. Smael needs another year, he’s a great athlete. He’s still figuring out how to play football. A year back could cause a Quay like jump for him. Raylen and CJ can play. Bowles is a stud. Not worried about this group at all.
DB- Bullard is going to come down to honest evals on his 40 time. If he runs a sub 4.5, he’s leaving, if he doesn’t. He’s staying. He’s 5’10 185lb box safety. A year in school could greatly help him with safety film. He’s not playing Nickel in the NFL. Starks will be an all American, Joenel at Star if I had to guess with Julio and Everette ar corner. Wildcard here is Ellis. I wouldn’t be shocked at all if Bullard leaves, starting secondary next year is Julio/Daylen outside, Ellis at star, Joenel and starks back deep. I lean towards Joenel at star overall because we missed the “extra LB” Bullard gave us with Tykee taking his spot at star and Aguero fits the extra LB mold.
Overall, the schedule is gnarly. Clemson will be a cakewalk, OU shouldn’t be that bad, going to Texas and to Tuscaloosa will be a ton of fun. 10-2 is the floor, 11-1 likely.With the expansion of 12 teams we are in. I think you’ll see a team slow burn to their best football and be a force at the end of next year. Carson coming back makes us odds on favorite, if he doesn’t the D will get us in and it’s all bets are off.
The Dynasty didn’t die Saturday, an off-season of bitter feelings and a pissed off Kirby means food won’t be played with in 2024, it will be eviscerated in 1 gulp.
Hats off to the seniors and juniors from this team in 2023. What an incredible run it’s been. Thank you for laying the foundation of more in the future and competing for UGA in a way that will immortalize the players from these teams forever in Dawg lore.
There is never a good time for an L, especially not in the midst of 29 in a row and it being in a playoff eliminator. That part stings and will sting as we look back at this team and what could have been. So will AD at Texas, Trez and Burton continuing their season in the playoffs and Saturday we missed a guy like Bear.
This team played with their food too much. Not saying that was the case on Saturday but you could feel the pressure with each passing week. You could feel it in the GP Saturday, you could feel it in the fan base. The day we lost was eventually going to come. As I mentioned before the timing of it sucks but nobody is more pissed than Kirby and guys that will be back next year. Our sophomore’s have never experienced this, our juniors have never experienced life without a playoff preparation. It may get worst before it gets better in terms of the portal. But make no mistake, we will get better.
Carson is the biggest re-recruit possible. That kids comes back and we are consensus 1 overall next year. If he doesn’t, it gets hectic in terms of projections. He’s going in the top 40-50 draft picks if he leaves, objectively. If we can swing a 7 figure deal and he comes back, that’s 30 next year. But if he wants to go to an ideal situation for his long term development, this year is the move. It’s quite the dichotomy for both Carson and the team.
Should he move on, BV, Gunner, Freshmen with BV having the leg up as it stands, if it’s not BV, it will be a transfer to compete at QB. Raiola, Pugs, aren’t playing nor should they next year. Don’t even fret that, the worst thing you can do is play a QB as a freshmen, for every Caleb Williams there is a Fromm or Barkley who ends up shell shocked.
RB-Watch for a transfer here, Haynes, ETN, etc. + Branson, Paul, Rod unless 1 leaves.
WR-Rara and Lovett could use another year. QB situation will loom large if I had to guess. I also think this is a guaranteed portal addition or 2 coming.
TE-Delp/Luckie+ Spurlin and the freshmen. That room is solid albeit different without 19.
OL- Blaske is the single most important re-recruit on the OL. Wilson will hold up solid as a C. He’s not Blaske though. The versatility AB brings as a swing tackle is crucial for next year. That’s the only position that isn’t going to have addition by subtraction sans Mims few healthy snaps. Freeling is a future all American, Greene will improve. Fairchild and Morris are the best combo of guards we’ve had. Need Blaske back or Wilson to step up. The starting 5 will be an upgrade 1-5 on this year. The depth is YOUNG.
DL- Another spot a portal addition is likely added, specifically as a 5 tech. Hanging onto Mykell is crucial. Same goes for Christen Miller. A front 4 of Mykell, Miller, Hall, Jalon Walker/insert stud upcoming sophomore OLB is considerably improved from this year. Look for M’pemba and Gabe Harris to bulk up and play a lot here too.
OLb- It’s time for the Jalon Walker experiment to end at ILB. That kid is a pass rushing superstar and physical as hell. He needs to lock into the buck role and not let anyone top him off. Chaz will play in run downs and he’s effective. I doubt MJJ is back next year, no inside scoop. But he’s going to get recruited over with freshmen this year with another year in the room. Standing up saps him of his natural ability, if he does stay, pack 20 on him and move him to 5t.
ILB- Getting JDJ to come back is massive. That injury hurt us the most Saturday. He’s the brain trust on D and does a lot of the thinking for everyone else. He’s physical as hell and is a reason we can play with less DL than most. Without him the warts on the DL reared their head. It’s usually the inverse. But not with this last group. Smael needs another year, he’s a great athlete. He’s still figuring out how to play football. A year back could cause a Quay like jump for him. Raylen and CJ can play. Bowles is a stud. Not worried about this group at all.
DB- Bullard is going to come down to honest evals on his 40 time. If he runs a sub 4.5, he’s leaving, if he doesn’t. He’s staying. He’s 5’10 185lb box safety. A year in school could greatly help him with safety film. He’s not playing Nickel in the NFL. Starks will be an all American, Joenel at Star if I had to guess with Julio and Everette ar corner. Wildcard here is Ellis. I wouldn’t be shocked at all if Bullard leaves, starting secondary next year is Julio/Daylen outside, Ellis at star, Joenel and starks back deep. I lean towards Joenel at star overall because we missed the “extra LB” Bullard gave us with Tykee taking his spot at star and Aguero fits the extra LB mold.
Overall, the schedule is gnarly. Clemson will be a cakewalk, OU shouldn’t be that bad, going to Texas and to Tuscaloosa will be a ton of fun. 10-2 is the floor, 11-1 likely.With the expansion of 12 teams we are in. I think you’ll see a team slow burn to their best football and be a force at the end of next year. Carson coming back makes us odds on favorite, if he doesn’t the D will get us in and it’s all bets are off.
The Dynasty didn’t die Saturday, an off-season of bitter feelings and a pissed off Kirby means food won’t be played with in 2024, it will be eviscerated in 1 gulp.
Hats off to the seniors and juniors from this team in 2023. What an incredible run it’s been. Thank you for laying the foundation of more in the future and competing for UGA in a way that will immortalize the players from these teams forever in Dawg lore.
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