Tag: uga wide receivers

Georgia football: This George Pickens stat will get you excited about 2020

This stat about Georgia WR George Pickens will get you excited about the UGA football offense in 2020.

According to Pro Football Focus (PFF) Georgia wide receiver George Pickens is the only returning receiver with 75 plus targets and zero drops in all of college football.

Pickens was a freshman phenom for the Bulldogs last year. In a run dominant offense, he caught 49 passes for 727 yards and 8 touchdowns, which earned him Coaches’ Freshman All-SEC Team honors.

A former 5-star recruit from Hoover, Alabama, in the 2019 recruiting class, Pickens was originally committed to the Auburn Tigers until flipping to the Bulldogs on signing day. He was tabbed as the No. 4 receiver in the country and the No. 1 player in Alabama, which helped make the 2019 Georgia class the No. 1 class in the country for the second year in a row.

The sky is the limit for Pickens in 2020. Georgia made two huge off-season moves for the Bulldogs’ passing game with the singing of Wake Forest transfer quarterback Jamie Newman, who is known for a great deep ball and the hiring of offensive coordinator Todd Monken, known for his air-raid passing attack.

DawgNation should be excited for what is to come for this young offense. Injuries and drops plagued the Georgia receiving group in 2019, but Pickens should have some more help around him in 2020. Sophomore receiver Dominick Blaylock looks to return from an ACL tear and Kirby Smart and staff added four 4-star receivers in this year’s No. 1 ranked recruiting class. Not to mention 5-star 2020 TE signee Darnell Washington (6-8, 261).

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UGA football player card: WR Makiya Tongue

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Makiya Tongue redshirted last season. His dad is a former NFL veteran.

Makiya Tongue, Wide Receiver (No. 19):

Class: Redshirt freshman

Height: 6-2

Weight: 210 pounds

Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

High School: University Lab

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Makiya Tongue redshirted last season. He played against Arkansas State, Georgia Tech, and Murray State, so he has some experience thanks to the new redshirt rule.

Tongue played both receiver and defense (safety/outside linebacker) in high school for University Lab. He made this spectacular catch back in the day:

Tongue’s dad, Reggie, played in the NFL for several seasons, playing primarily for the Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks. Before the NFL, Reggie Tongue played for the Oregon State Beavers.

Next season, Makiya Tongue will fight for playing time at wide receiver. Georgia and Kirby Smart have brought in lots of talent at receiver and return a solid amount of existing talent including: George Pickens, 2020’s presumed top receiver on the roster.

Tongue came to the University of Georgia as a four-star recruit.

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PFF spotlights Georgia football WRs George Pickens, Dominick Blaylock

Georgia football receivers George Pickens and Dominick Blaylock are due for a big 2020 college football season.

George Pickens and Dominick Blaylock signed with Georgia as five-star receivers in the class of 2019.

Georgia was able to flip Pickens from Auburn on signing day, while Blaylock was all-dawg from the start. Blaylock committed to Georgia in July of 2017 and then signed in December of 2018.

Georgia fans had high expectations for both of them, and both lived up to the hype.

Pro Football Focus spotlighted how the two finished the season with zero drops. See the tweet below.

Pickens was a superstar his freshman season, catching 49 passes for 727 yards and 8 touchdowns. He’s considered one of the top returning receivers in college football for the 2020 season.

Blaylock hauled in 18 catches for 310 yards and 5 touchdowns. He suffered a torn ACL against LSU in the SEC Championship Game.

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UGA football player card: WR Demetris Robertson

Demetris Robertson came out of high school as a five-star recruit. He transferred to Georgia from California.

Demetris Robertson, Wide Receiver (#16):

Class: Senior

Height: 6-0

Weight: 190 pounds

Hometown: Savannah, Georgia

High School: Savannah Christian

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Demetris Robertson came out of high school as an elite five-star recruit according to most sources. He elected to attend California, where he was spectacular in 2016.

In fact, as a true freshman at Cal, Robertson broke DeSean Jackson’s freshman receiving yards record and Keenan Allen’s receptions record. Robertson caught 50 passes for 767 yards and scored seven touchdowns. These remain the best marks of his career.

During his sophomore season, Robertson suffered a season ending lower body injury. He played in two games before medically redshirting, then transferring to the University of Georgia. Robertson was immediately eligible at Georgia in 2018, where he played in nine games where he rushed for 109 yards on four carries.

Robertson saw more playing time last season, but didn’t match his production at Cal. He hauled in 30 passes for 333 yards and scored three TDs in 2019.

He’s a break-out candidate to watch in 2020, especially with Dominick Blaylock’s torn ACL. He’s expected to start at wide receiver opposite George Pickens. He’ll contribute to the run game as well.

Robertson looks quite difference in a California Golden Bears’ jersey:

Sep 17, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears wide receiver Demetris Robertson  runs the ball against the Texas Longhorns in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Cal won 50-43. Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

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UGA football player card: WR Trey Blount

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Trey Blount played in just four games last season while fighting through injuries and redshirted.

Trey Blount, Wide Receiver (#14):

Class: Junior

Height: 6-2

Weight: 200 pounds

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

High School: Pace Academy

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Trey Blount played in just four games last season and redshirted. Blount came to the University of Georgia as a four-star recruit.

Blount is a sound, fundamental blocker who knows his assignments. He fought through injuries in 2019. Before last season, Blount played in 14 games in both 2017 and 2018. He has four receptions for 52 yards in his career.

In 2020, Blount will compete for the receiver playing time in the position opposite George Pickens. Dominick Blaylock is recovering from a torn ACL. Georgia secured a top recruiting class in 2020 and has a wealth of talent at the wide receiver position. It will be position group competition to watch next season.

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm and wide receiver Trey Blount celebrate the victory against the Oklahoma Sooners following the 2018 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game. Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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UGA football player card: WR Tommy Bush

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Tommy Bush came to Athens as a four-star recruit., but he only played in one game last season.

Tommy Bush, Wide Receiver (#12):

Class: Redshirt Sophomore

Height: 6-5

Weight: 195 pounds

Hometown: Schertz, Texas

High School: Samuel Clemens High School

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Tommy Bush redshirted as a freshman in 2018, when he played in two games: against Austin Peay and UMass. Bush only played one game in 2019. He caught one pass for one yard against Georgia Tech.

At 6-5, Bush has excellent size and the potential to replace Lawrence Cager as a red zone target. Bush came to Athens as a talented four-star wide receiver.

In 2020, Bush will compete for the receiver playing time in the position opposite George Pickens. Dominick Blaylock is recovering from a torn ACL. Georgia secured an elite recruiting class in 2020 and has plenty of talent at the wide receiver position. It will be an interesting position battle to see unfold.

Tommy Bush has been working hard in preparation for the season:

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UGA football player card: WR Kearis Jackson

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Kearis Jackson redshirted as a freshman in 2018. He broke his hand versus Vanderbilt in 2019.

Kearis Jackson, Wide Receiver (#10):

Class: Redshirt Sophomore

Height: 6-0

Weight: 200 pounds

Hometown: Fort Valley, Georgia

High School: Peach County High School

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Kearis Jackson redshirted as a freshman in 2018. He was able to play in four games after enrolling early at UGA. Jackson came to Georgia as a touted four-star recruit from Peach County High School. In high school, Jackson played football and ran track.

Jackson started the first game of 2019 against Vanderbilt, but broke his hand. Jackson’s injury set him back after a career best game against Vanderbilt (2 catches for 31 yards).

Jackson started seven games, but didn’t have a large impact on offense. He ended the season with five catches for 79 yards. He and quarterback Jake Fromm never quite found a grove, which can be partially attributed to his broken hand.

In 2020, Jackson will compete for the starting wide receiver position opposite George Pickens. Dominick Blaylock is recovering from a torn ACL. Georgia secured an elite recruiting class in 2020 and has plenty of talent at the wide receiver position.

Oct 27, 2018; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Kearis Jackson (10) works out prior to the game at TIAA Bank Field. Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

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UGA football player card: WR Dominick Blaylock

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Dominick Blaylock had a solid freshman season in 2019 before tearing his ACL in the SEC Championship Game.

Dominick Blaylock, Wide Receiver (#8):

Class: Sophomore

Height: 6-1

Weight: 195 pounds

Hometown: Marietta, Georgia

High School: Walton High School

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Dominick Blaylock had a solid freshman season in 2019 before tearing his ACL in the SEC Championship Game against LSU. He played in 12 of 14 games and caught 18 passes for 310 yards and five touchdowns.

His biggest play of the season was his 51 yard touchdown catch at Auburn. The Tigers had a very stingy defense in 2019, but that didn’t stop Blaylock from getting the Dawgs on the scoreboard first.

Blaylock came to Athens as a touted four or five-star recruit (depends on the recruiting service) and didn’t disappoint. He’d certainly benefit from a delayed start to the 2020 season.

Should the season kick-off on time, then it is not out of the question for Blaylock to make a return for the opener. Clemson WR Amari Rodgers tore his ACL last spring (March 25th) and went on to play in Clemson’s second game against Texas A&M.

If healthy, Blaylock projects to start for UGA from the slot with George Pickens manning an outside receiver spot. Check out his huge plays from last season:

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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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