Dominick Blaylock lived up to the hype in 2019 as a freshman out of Marietta’s Walton High School. The former No. 36 overall recruit in the nation, Blaylock recorded 18 catches for 310 yards and his five receiving touchdowns were the second most on the team.
Blaylock suffered a torn ACL in the 2019 SEC Championship Game against LSU, cutting his freshman season short by just one game.
Nine months later, Blaylock was back on the field ready to pick up where he left off. Unfortunately, a second ACL tear would occur in fall practice, forcing Blaylock to miss the entirety of the 2020 season.
“Ever since all the injuries, I’ve been trying to keep a level head,” Blaylock said on Thursday before a spring practice session. “I’m trying to keep moving forward and get back to the best ability I can.”
Blaylock was also bugged by a pulled hamstring last season. He took it easy during Georgia’s 2021 national title run, recording only two receptions for 11 yards, which both came against Charleston Southern in late November. He did, however, find a role on Georgia’s coverage unit on special teams. Smart mentioned that the contact associated with that experience last year helped prepare Blaylock mentally for a bigger role going forward.
Now no longer accompanied by a knee brace and fully practicing with the team for the first time since 2020, he’s back to making an impact for a UGA squad in need of depth at the receiver position.
In a practice session last Thursday, Blaylock got everyone fired up when he reeled in a diving catch during a two-minute drill. He’s also been in the mix as a punt returner, a duty he held during his 2019 freshman season, splitting reps with Kearis Jackson and Ladd McConkey.
“He’s getting better, he’s getting more confidence in that knee,” coach Smart said on Thursday. “More than anything, I’m excited to see him get out there and play because our team takes on a lot of his resilience and DNA.”
Blaylock understandably described the process of rehabbing from a second ACL injury as “rough.” A former five-star recruit with hopes of making it to the NFL, two serious surgeries in the span of one year would be a tough pill to swallow for anyone.
Smart credits Blaylock’s recovery to his resiliency and his background.
“He’s wired the right way,” Smart said. “This kid came up tough. He has two older brothers that helped toughen him up. He didn’t grow up soft.”
As for Blaylock himself, it’s all about regaining confidence in that knee.
“Everything so far has gone good, so I’m just trying to keep a good mindset about everything,” he said.
“Right now, I am feeling a lot more confident. I’m feeling great, so far. The knee is feeling awesome. I am just trying to do the best part I can for my team, and I’m trying to get back where I have been back in freshman year.”
Just days after these comments Blaylock made a huge impact in Georgia’s first spring scrimmage over the weekend. He reportedly recorded multiple touchdown grabs, including a 40+ yard score down the middle of the field.
With Jermaine Burton off to Alabama and Pickens headed to the NFL, Georgia is in need of playmakers at the wide receiver position. There’s AD Mitchell and Ladd McConkey, who had breakout freshman seasons in 2021. There’s also Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint and Kearis Jackson. But a healthy Blaylock might just be the best of the bunch.
“So far spring has been going good,” Blaylock said. “I’m getting the feel for everything. It’s the first spring practice since freshman year, so everything is going well, so far. I feel great.”