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Cover 5: Which Bulldog has been the biggest surprise for Georgia football this season?
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Cover 5: Which Bulldog has been the biggest surprise for Georgia football this season?
ATHENS — Just about everyone knew that Malaki Starks and Tate Ratledge were going to be big-time pieces for the Bulldogs this fall. They were established, multi-year starters with All-American seasons under their belts. It’s no surprise the two had All-American seasons this year.
Comments
gotta go with chambliss
he’s went from a liability on the edge to a valuable asset
I gotta go with Dan Jackson, that kid gives it all and is a contributor every single game. A walk on with unbelievable heart, motor, and football skills. He is what my dad used to call a "player".
Can't disagree with the three defensive players mentioned above.
On offense, IMO Dylan Fairchild and Monroe Freeling should be in the discussion. We knew both were talented but they exceeded high expectations. NFL Draft Buzz rates Freeling as the third best run-blocking OL in the country and the 15th best pass blocker. And Fairchild is now a bonafide all-American.
Top disappointing surprises were Dominic Lovett and Carson Beck.
Lovett went from a sure-handed go-to guy in 2023 to leading the team — and maybe the nation? — in drops.
The excessive drops account for maybe half of Beck's underperformance. But overall I would have liked him to perform even better when confronted with drops, not worse.
While both Jackson and Chambliss have stepped up, Chambliss has gone from a liability at the OLB position to a playmaker.
For me, Carson Beck has proven to be the most surprising Bulldog. In a negative way. It seems that he couldn't handle his success from last year and completly lost it after getting seven figures of NIL for this year. Lambo, hot babes, private jets, NBA pimp outfits, etc. Well, it seems he forgot about practicing and focusing on football. As a result, we lost to Alabama. I do not blame Carson for the Ole Miss loss. I blame Sankey for that one. Beck has never provided the required leadership to the team and he didn't understand that acting as some sort of Hollywood personality would further alienate his teammates. So Beck to me is the most surprising player this year. How he squandered so much in so little time.
Unlike Beck, Stockton has the love and respect of his teammates. They will work much harder for championships while Stockton is lined up behind the center!
I knew KJ had the skill talent and speed, but his tackling abilities surprised me. He literally has put on an open field tackling clinic. The other surprise for me is Chris Cole. He played a lot more snaps than I expected. Before the season started, there were other more senior linebackers and the number 1 linebacker in last year's class that he just stepped over. He looks like he may turn into Jalon Walker 2.0.
In terms of a positive surprise, yeah I'd go with Chizz Stubletts as well. I'm also surprised someone who I thought would emerge as a starter midway through the season and it didn't happen - ERIV. Given our woeful CB play (at times) I thought for sure he'd emerge and take a starting role.
I agree with the choices mentioned in the article and with most of those mentioned in the comments. I will say that I don't think KJ Bolden was much of a surprise; I expected him to be extremely good.
I'd offer as a candidate Gunner Stockton. Surprise! Gunner is your new quarterback. Who woulda thunk it.
There are a couple of players I might offer as negative surprises, but I don't like badmouthing players, and I'm sure they already know who they are as do you.
Go, Dawgs!
Nate Fraizer..GoDAWGS!
I have to agree with you; Jackson has been an animal on defense this year. He has shown NFL skills and will probably be drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round.
IMO right on both KJ and CCole. CCole is probably my biggest surprise. When/if UGA lines up with OSU I will wonder if KJ should've been playing CB all season. How DHarris and ERIV play going forward (in the playoffs) will determine if KJ would've been more valuable at CB or S. KJ seems a natural at CB with his body type and athleticism.
The UGA defense is set up for the OLB position to get the sacks. Chambliss has played that position extensively and more than anyone else. Hence the stat bump in '24. He has played better but in his previous 3 seasons he had 2.5 sacks.
In '24 UGA ranked 36th in rushing defense and 50th in passing defense. If you go back and look at the big plays the UGA D gave up you will see DJackson close by (but not close enough).
I totally agree with Beachwagon, I think you will see the Dawgs,
in high gear against ND.