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How Georgia football will replace its 2023 NFL Draft entrants
System
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How Georgia football will replace its 2023 NFL Draft entrants
The deadline for college players to enter the 2023 NFL Draft has come and gone, with the deadline to enter taking place on Monday night. Players that have entered do have until Thursday night to remove their names from the process and it is worth pointing out players such as Sedrick Van Pran and Ladd McConkey have yet to make any public announcements on their plans following the tragic passing of Devin Willock and Chandler LeCroy.
Comments
Right now, it looks to me like the pendulum will swing back toward our defense being the dominant side of the ball.
On offense, we'll be stocked at WR and fine at RB and TE. But there are a lot of questions about the OL (especially if Van Pran leaves), and it's always a wildcard when you're going with a new QB.
On D though, we are gonna be rich in a lot of places. JDJ, Smael, Mykel and Starks will be preseason candidates for All-America teams. And Stackhouse, Alexander, Lassiter and Bullard are among those who could potentially be all-stars.
Not saying the offensive won't be great. I just see fewer question marks and more established dominant players on the D side.
My only concern here is Arian Smith. He is easily injured. Fastest man on the team, yes, but it involves a whole lot more than that. He is no Kearis Jackson...Kearis was a tough dude and good leader. I wish Arian the best. I am looking to Lovett and Bell. McConkey will likely turn pro.
We will see Connor, it's a long time away, but at least you gave us something to thing about for next season. It's great to have a problem of replacing starters with the list you provided. I love that a lot of the players you listed have valuable game experience! Go Dawgs!
I don't see McConkey going pro... just makes no sense to me. And I believe our OL will not only be fine, but should be a strength (again), what with guys like Dylan Fairchild and Micah Morris not even mentioned but should be absolute maulers when their numbers are called. Go Dawgs!
@CandlerPark
If Seth Van Pran leaves? Where is he going to go? He is the starter at UGA and the draft deadline was yesterday. With Mims, Truss, Van Pran and Ratledge in place, while UGA's OL won't be as good as it was in 2022, it will be at least as good as it was in 2021.
@khummel
The deadline was yesterday for Van Pran, McConkey, Arian Smith and all the other draft eligible guys who haven't applied to do so (this leaves out guys who haven't already announced their intentions to stay like Milton). And similar to Van Pran, there is no need for McConkey to hit the portal as he is the returning starter and #1 WR. Blaylock entered the portal because even if UGA goes back to a normal offense that actually uses the WRs as the primary ball catchers - unlike this year where the emphasis on TEs and RBs catching the ball only left room for McConkey to get the ball more than once or twice a game - McConkey, Smith and Missouri transfer Dominic Lovett are going to be the 3 starters. And Rara Thomas - 44 catches for 625 yards and 7 TDs, plus is 6'2" 200 lbs and runs a 4.4 40 where Blaylock is 6' 185 lbs and runs a 4.68 - will be the first WR off the bench.
Some teams "rebuild." Georgia develops and reloads. GO43N23!
Rumor around the rumor mill is AD Mitchell is transferring. It's a rumor and a rumor mill...don't shoot the messenger. Off topic but kinda significant
You are correct, the deadline was yesterday but given they have until Thursday to remove their names, there isn’t anything that says they have to go public with the information. There are also the sensitivities swirling around the tragedy that has occurred and I’m sure out of respect, if any of them did declare for the draft (not saying any did), they would likely not say anything until Thursday when that list would become public. I’m thinking they will all be back but one never knows.
It would not surprise me at all to see Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint have a monster year in ‘23. He’s big, physical, blocks exceptionally well, and will come down with the ball if they throw it anywhere near him. He will be one more year removed from the ankle injury, so he may even pick up a step or two in speed. It’s definitely a challenge to keep a room full of highly talented WR’s happy enough to stay out of the portal. I think MRJ could be a DB’s worst nightmare if he chooses to stick around. I have my fingers crossed!
GO DAWGS!
Thanks for making that point about Van Pran. I've been confused why Dawgnation hasn't really reported on him, and for that matter how they wrote today as if it wasn't clear who wasn't declaring.
Regarding your predictions of WR starters, don't forget about AD Mitchell. If he stays healthy, he very well could turn out to be the best of them all. He runs a 4.52, has a lot of size and runs great routes.