The defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs have their work cut out this offseason to prepare to defend their title next season.
One obstacle is depth at the cornerback position, which lost the first and third string starters from last season. Starter Derion Kendrick is off to the NFL and Ameer Speed has transferred to Michigan State.
Redshirt sophomore Kelee Ringo will be the day on starter after a productive 2021 season that was capped off by the title-sealing interception.
UGA head coach Kirby Smart is very much aware of the situation at corner and spoke on the matter in a press conference earlier this week.
“They (Kamari Lassiter, Nyland Green, and Daylen Everette) are taking every single rep with the ones and twos. Those guys are out there. Receiver and defensive-back, we have never in seven years been this thin. Ever been this thin. You can point a finger and blame anywhere you want, but it’s the life of a college football coach now.
The immediate transfer rule has created a swinging door situation for programs around the country. The Bulldogs have taken advantage of the transfer portal in the past, but has also experienced their own departures.
“You don’t have depth. You don’t have it anywhere. It’s easy to leave and go places, ” Smart said. “Those guys are a little higher maintenance in terms of thinking of themselves. They expect to play right away and go. It’s certainly a position of concern for us in terms of recruiting and development as a skill position.”
Smart mentions sophomores Kamari Lassiter and Nyland Green, along with 2022 signee Daylen Everette as guys that have the biggest opportunities to get meaningful snaps.
There is still time for the Dawgs to dip into the portal for help at the position and Smart and staff have done so in the past. Kendrick, a Clemson transfer, joined the Bulldogs in early June of 2021 and went on to have a lock down season.
Let’s not forget UGA’s 2022 recruiting class, which featured some of the top secondary talent in the country. Three five-star defensive backs signed with the Bulldogs and they each could have a huge role in 2022 if the transfer portal doesn’t come through this offseason.