Projecting Georgia’s depth chart at tight end

The Georgia Bulldogs return a lot of talent like Darnell Washington at tight end for the 2021 college football season.

The Georgia Bulldogs return a lot of talent at tight end for the 2021 college football season. The Dawgs lost Tre’ McKitty to the 2021 NFL draft, but return top tight ends Darnell Washington and John FitzPatrick from last season.

For depth chart purposes, we don’t consider LSU transfer Arik Gilbert to be a tight end. Instead, he is more of a wide receiver. Gilbert has the talent to play both positions. Fans should expect him and Darnell Washington to give opposing defenses fits.

Here’s how we size up the Georgia tight end room:

UGA football player card: TE Jarrett Freeland

Jarrett Freeland signed with Georgia baseball in 2013, but pursued a MLB career after the Cincinnati Reds drafted him in 2013 MLB Draft

Jarrett Freeland, Tight End (#48):

Class: Redshirt sophomore

Height: 6-7

Weight: 258 pounds

Hometown: Liburn, Georgia

High School: Parkview

Georgia Bulldogs tight end Jarrett Freeland has one of the more unique stories of any player on the University of Georgia roster. Freeland signed with Georgia baseball in 2013, but elected to pursue an MLB career after the Cincinnati Reds drafted him in the 15th round of the 2013 MLB Amateur Draft.

Injuries and positional changes took their toll on Freeland, who was released by the Arizona Reds in late 2017. Following this, Freeland decided to return to Georgia. Freeland, who is turning 26 in June of 2020, is one of the oldest players on the Georgia roster.

Freeland has excellent size and could be utilized as a blocking tight end at some point. For now, he’s adjusting back to football and looking to help the team anyway he can.

His father, Buddy Freeland, graduated from the University of Georgia as well.

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UGA football player card: TE Peyton Mercer

Georgia Bulldogs tight end Peyton Mercer played in three out of twelve games last season.

Peyton Mercer, Tight End (#44):

Class: Redshirt sophomore

Height: 6-4

Weight: 222 pounds

Hometown: Twin City, Georgia

High School: Emanuel County Institute

Georgia Bulldogs tight end Peyton Mercer walked on to the team in 2018 and took a redshirt. He played in three out of twelve games last season.

Mercer has been a special teams standout on the scout team, especially during the 2018 season. Mercer additionally participated in the 2019 spring game, where he recorded three catches for 12 yards.

Mercer played both linebacker and tight end for Emanuel County Institute in high school. Mercer has an impressive academic record and plans to major in forestry.

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