Tag: Matt Landers

A look at Georgia’s 2020 wide receiver room

A look at the Georgia football 2020 wider receiver room headlined by star George Pickens.

The 2020 college football season is fast approaching and players will be allowed back on campus for summer workouts starting June 8.

That said, let’s take a look at the Georgia wide receivers, perhaps the most exciting position to watch for the Bulldogs in 2020.

This is not a depth chart projection, but a look at who we project to see the most snaps.

1. George Pickens (So.)

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Pickens (6-3, 190), from Hoover, Alabama, is one of the best returning receiver in college football and will be heavily relied upon by new Wake Forest transfer QB Jamie Newman and for good reason. As a freshman in 2019, Pickens caught 49 passes for 727 yards and 8 touchdowns, which earned him Coaches’ Freshman All-SEC Team honors.

2. Demetris Robertson (Sr.)

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Robertson, (6-0, 190) from Savannah, Georgia, is a transfer from the University of California in 2018 and hasn’t been able to find much a rhythm as a Bulldog. However, we know he has talent and even received Freshman All-American honors in his time with Cal, so look for his speed on the inside to be a huge factor for the Bulldogs in 2020.

3. Dominick Blaylock (So.)

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Assuming Blaylock (6-1, 195) returns from an ACL tear in 2019, he will be competing for the starting slot-receiver position with Robertson. Before his injury, Blaylock, from Marietta, Georgia, was having a solid freshman season, catching 18 passes for 310 yards and 5 touchdowns in 12 games. Most notably, Blaylock averaged over 17 yards per reception and contributed to special teams as punt/kick returner.

4. Matt Landers (Junior)

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Landers (6-5, 200), from St. Petersburg, Florida, should see time on the outside opposite George Pickens. Especially in goal line situations where his length creates match-up problems with virtually anyone who covers him. That being said, Landers will have to show route-running and catching improvement if he wants to contribute. His three catches versus Baylor in the Sugar Bowl shows he is headed in the right direction.

5. Kearis Jackson (RFr.)

 (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Jackson (6-0, 200,) from Fort Valley, Georgia, started the Bulldogs’ first game at Vanderbilt last season and caught two passes for 31 yards until exiting early with a hand injury that derailed the rest of his 2019 season. Georgia coaches were confident enough to tab Jackson as a starter early on, so, assuming his hand injury is no longer a factor, he should be competing for the slot position with Robertson and Blaylock this summer.

NEXT: Who else could we expect to catch some passes this year?

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UGA football player card: WR Matt Landers

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Matt Landers will look to provide a red zone threat for the Dawgs in 2020.

Matt Landers, Wide Receiver (#5):

Class: Junior

Height: 6-5

Weight: 200 pounds

Hometown: St. Petersburg, Florida

High School: St. Petersburg High School

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Matt Landers had an up and down season in 2019.  Landers and Tommy Bush are Georgia’s two tallest wide receivers. Will one of them be able to step up and help replace Lawrence Cager’s ability to win jump balls?

Georgia could use another red zone threat in 2020. George Pickens is expected to be a star next season, but he can’t do it all on his own. Plenty of wide receivers will have chance to step up from UGA. Landers has the size to be a red zone mismatch.

Landers came to Athens as a three-star recruit, but don’t rule him out in the wide receiver competition. He is an excellent blocker and will contribute to the team. Improved consistency would go a long way for Landers.

He saved his best for last against the Baylor Bears in the Sugar Bowl. Landers caught three passes for 25 yards and scored this sweet touchdown:

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A comedy of errors: Georgia football botched ample opportunities

Georgia’s inability to take advantage of the situations makes it clear that the Dawgs were never a true playoff contender.

The plays were there. The execution wasn’t.

Missing their two leading receivers, Georgia’s offense went deep several times on their opening drive.

Tyler Simmons, Demetris Robertson and Matt Landers failed to haul in well-thrown balls from Jake Fromm on the Bulldogs’ opening drive.

After being forced to punt, the Dawgs’ defense batted down a pass that Joe Burrow caught himself. LSU proceeded to march downfield and secure a lead it would never relinquish.

By the time George Pickens resumed play following his one half suspension, Jake Fromm had tweaked his ankle and the Silver Britches had lost third-leading receiver Dominick Blaylock. Later, linebacker Walter Grant left the game with a concussion following a targeting penalty that resulted in the ejection of Louisiana State defender Tory Carter.

Typically automatic senior placekicker Rodrigo Blankenship missed two of his three field goal attempts, but will enter his final bowl game wearing red and black maintaining the highest field goal percentage in Georgia history.

While we lament that the opportunities were there, Georgia’s inability to take advantage of the situations makes it clear that the Dawgs were never a true playoff contender.