USA TODAY Sports has named the breakout stars on offense and defense for Georgia football in the upcoming 2021 season.
The SEC has wrapped up its spring practices around the conference, completed its annual spring games, and is now ready to take preparation for the 2021 season to the next level.
Georgia, despite having nine players selected in the 2021 NFL draft, returns a loaded roster that many predict will be talented enough to take the Dawgs back to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2017.
Kirby Smart lost his best offensive player, wide receiver George Pickens, to a torn ACL, but the concern it created about UGA’s weapons on the outside was minimal.
Georgia wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) brings in a pass for a catch during the Georgia G-Day Spring football game. (Photo/Joshua L. Jones, Athens Banner-Herald)
The former three-star out of Cane Ridge High School in Antioch, Tennessee turned a lot of heads at Georgia’s G-Day scrimmage in April. Mitchell caught seven passes for 105 yards and a touchdown during the spring scrimmage and has a lot of Georgia fans excited about his potential to fill in for Pickens.
Mitchell was certainly not a household name among those who closely follow college football recruiting. The 381st overall player in America, Mitchell was only considered the 64th best receiver in the class of 2021.
Numerous Georgia Bulldogs have announced that they intend to enter into the 2021 NFL Draft and several others are staying in Athens.
Eleven Georgia Bulldogs have announced that they intend to enter into the 2021 NFL Draft. Remaining players have about a week to make a decision on their NFL future. Additionally, six notable players have announced that they’re returning to the University of Georgia for another season.
The 2021 offseason is unique because players can transfer and be immediately eligible. The 2020 season does not count against anybody’s eligibility either.
Kirby Smart and Georgia will have to replace five defensive backs who have declared for the 2021 NFL Draft. The Bulldogs are only losing two offensive linemen and a tight end on the offensive side of the football. Quarterback JT Daniels is returning for another season and so are the vast majority of his weapons.
Here’s a list of every Georgia Bulldog who have made decisions regarding the 2021 NFL Draft:
Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt is returning for another senior season at the University of Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt is returning for another senior season at the University of Georgia. He came to Athens after spending time at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas.
Wyatt was a four-star prospect coming out of Towers High School in Decatur, Georgia. He was similarly rated coming out of Hutchinson.
Wyatt played in 12 games during the 2018 season, during which he recorded 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He stepped up his game in 2019 and was a key factor in the Bulldogs’ No. 1-rated run defense. Wyatt had one sack as well in 2019.
This season, Wyatt recorded 21 tackles and several pressures. He started at defensive tackle for much of the year.
The senior defensive lineman has NFL potential, but is choosing to stay in Athens for another chance at the College Football Playoff. Wyatt announced his decision via his Twitter account:
Kirby Smart and Georgia have a defensive boost with Wyatt’s return. The Dawgs are still losing several players in the secondary to the NFL Draft, but have the talent to fill in the gaps.
Sep 21, 2019; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt (95) reacts after defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Sanford Stadium. Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt came to Athens after spending time at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas.
Devonte Wyatt, defensive lineman (No. 95):
Class: Senior
Height: 6-3
Weight: 301 pounds
Hometown: Decatur, Georgia
High School: Towers High School
Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt came to Athens after spending time at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas.
Wyatt was a three- or four-star prospect, depending on the recruiting site, coming out of Towers High School in Decatur, Georgia. He was similarly rated coming out of Hutchinson.
Wyatt played in 12 games during the 2018 season, during which he recorded 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He stepped up his game last season and was a key factor in the Bulldogs’ No. 1-rated run defense. Wyatt had one sack as well last year.
The senior defensive lineman has NFL potential. Unfortunately, he was involved in an off-the-field incident this offseason. He is certainly a key factor along Georgia’s defensive front, so he would be missed if he’s out for any games this season.
Sep 21, 2019; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt (95) reacts after defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Sanford Stadium. Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Devonte Wyatt was arrested Monday night by on three separate charges of criminal trespassing, damage to property, and family violence.
University of Georgia defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt was arrested Monday night by the Clarke County Sheriff’s office on three separate charges of criminal trespassing, damage to property, and family violence.
Wyatt, a transfer student out of Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, appeared in 13 games in the Bulldogs’ 2019 season and started in the team’s win over Baylor in the 2020 Sugar Bowl.
Devonte Wyatt recorded 30 tackles with 27 quarterback hurries, second-most for the Dawgs, in 2019. He has been projected as an NFL Draft pick.
Numerous Georgia Bulldogs have decided to return to UGA or head to the NFL Draft including: Jake Fromm, D’Andre Swift, and more.
Veteran members of the Georgia Bulldogs have been contemplating a tough decision these past couple months: enter the 2020 NFL Draft or return to Athens for another season. Each player’s decision is their own choice, but it is always beneficial to a program when veteran players return for another shot at the College Football Playoffs.
Nov 2, 2019; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart talks with quarterback Jake Fromm (11) as they beat the Florida Gators at TIAA Bank Field. UGA fans will miss Fromm, who went 3-0 in his career versus Florida. Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
On the other side of the football, offensive linemen Justin Shaffer and Ben Cleveland will be back. UGA’s offensive line has been purged by the NFL and a transfer.
College football players have until the 20th of January to determine if they wish to enter into the 2020 NFL Draft. Juniors and redshirt sophomores are the primary players contemplating their NFL decisions.
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Georgia will notably lose the following key seniors as well: kicker Rodrigo Blankenship, defensive tackle Michael Barnett, defensive lineman David Marshall, defensive lineman Tyler Clark, linebacker Tae Crowder, receiver Tyler Simmons, safety J.R. Reed, receiver Lawrence Cager, tight end Eli Wolf, tight end Charlie Woerner, and running back Brian Herrien. UGA is losing several other seniors, who didn’t play as much as this group.
Oct 5, 2019; Knoxville, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Richard LeCounte (2) celebrates with defensive back J.R. Reed (20) after intercepting a pass during the third quarter in a game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Photo Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Bulldog defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt has no public statement about his NFL decision, but it is assumed he’s coming back. Wyatt helped UGA not allow a single rushing touchdown to a running back in 2020.
Georgia’s offseason will have many ups and downs. The NFL Combine and Senior Bowl is next on the list for many of these UGA greats.
Numerous Georgia Bulldogs are headed to the NFL Draft, including QB Jake Fromm. UGA is losing several lineman and lots of defenders.
It’s decision time for many of the veteran members of the Georgia Bulldogs: enter the 2020 NFL Draft or return to Athens for another season. Each player’s decision is their own choice, but it is always beneficial to a program when veteran players return for another shot at the College Football Playoffs.
Nov 2, 2019; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart talks with quarterback Jake Fromm (11) as they beat the Florida Gators at TIAA Bank Field. UGA fans will miss Fromm, who went 3-0 in his career versus Florida. Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
On the other side of the football, offensive lineman Justin Shaffer will be back. UGA’s offensive line has been purged by the NFL and a transfer.
College football players have until the 20th of January to determine if they wish to enter into the 2020 NFL Draft. Juniors and redshirt sophomores are the primary players contemplating their NFL decisions.
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Georgia will notably lose the following key seniors as well: kicker Rodrigo Blankenship, defensive tackle Michael Barnett, defensive lineman David Marshall, defensive lineman Tyler Clark, linebacker Tae Crowder, receiver Tyler Simmons, safety J.R. Reed, receiver Lawrence Cager, tight end Eli Wolf, tight end Charlie Woerner, and running back Brian Herrien. UGA is losing several other seniors, who didn’t play as much as this group.
Oct 5, 2019; Knoxville, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Richard LeCounte (2) celebrates with defensive back J.R. Reed (20) after intercepting a pass during the third quarter in a game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Photo Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
The rest of UGA’s juniors and redshirt sophomores have yet to reach their decisions or are expected to return. Here’s the most important veteran player deciding on his NFL future:
DL Devonte Wyatt
For now, UGA is mostly finished with players entering the NFL Draft. Wyatt is anticipated to return. Georgia’s offseason will still have many ups and downs.
Georgia football’s QB Jake Fromm, LB Monty Rice, OL Solomon Kindley, and DL Devonte Wyatt are among the list of players considering the NFL.
It’s decision time for many of the veteran members of the Georgia Bulldogs: enter the 2020 NFL Draft or return to Athens for another season. Each players decision is their own choice, but it is always beneficial to a program when veteran players return for another shot at the College Football Playoffs.
Kirby Smart and D’Andre Swift walk off the field after defeating the Texas A&M Aggies at Sanford Stadium. Swift’s last game in Athens was one of his best. Photo courtesy of Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Georgia’s defense is getting a boost with the returns of safety Richard LeCounte and defensive lineman Malik Herring.
College football players have until the 20th of January to determine if they wish to enter into the 2020 NFL Draft. Juniors and redshirt sophomores are the primary players contemplating their NFL decisions.
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Georgia will notably lose the following key seniors as well: kicker Rodrigo Blankenship, defensive tackle Michael Barnett, defensive lineman David Marshall, defensive lineman Tyler Clark, linebacker Tae Crowder, receiver Tyler Simmons, safety J.R. Reed, receiver Lawrence Cager, tight end Eli Wolf, tight end Charlie Woerner, and running back Brian Herrien. UGA is losing several other seniors, who didn’t play as much as this group.
Oct 5, 2019; Knoxville, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Richard LeCounte (2) celebrates with defensive back J.R. Reed (20) after intercepting a pass during the third quarter in a game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Photo Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
The rest of UGA’s juniors and redshirt sophomores have yet to reach their decisions. Here’s the most important veteran players deciding on their NFL futures:
Junior defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt will not suit up for the Bulldogs in this year’s edition of Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate.
As per Seth Emerson of The Athletic, junior defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt will not suit up for the Bulldogs in this year’s edition of Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate.
Wyatt, who hasn’t yet missed a game in 2019, has recorded 22 tackles and has been credited with 19 quarterback pressures on the year. In addition, he recovered a fumble in the first game of the season at Vanderbilt.
Though Georgia Tech hasn’t had much success rushing the ball under Geoff Collins, Wyatt’s ability to plug gaps and pressure signal callers is a large void that will need to be filled with heavy rotational play.
