Tag: UGA WRs

PFF says Georgia football has nation’s No. 3 WR duo

PFF says Georgia has nation’s No. 3 WR duo

Georgia is loaded at the wide receiver position this year, and that’s even with superstar George Pickens sidelined for the foreseeable future with a torn ACL.

The addition of LSU tight end Arik Gilbert, who will be playing wide receiver for the Bulldogs in 2021, really pushed UGA over the hump as the 6-foot-5, 250 pounder is coming off a sensational freshman year with the Tigers.

That’s why Pro Football Focus says Georgia has the nation’s No. 3 ranked wide receiver duo.

Who is the second player to pair with Gilbert, you may ask? well, as PFF says….pick one.

If wide receiver George Pickens hadn’t torn his ACL this past spring, then the Bulldogs would be 1b to Ohio State for best receiving unit in college football. While they will be without Pickens for the 2021 season, they still have a bevy of talented options to choose from alongside Gilbert. The top candidate to be that No. 2 option is Dominick Blaylock, who has had his career interrupted by multiple serious injuries. Blaylock is recovering from his second torn ACL within eight months but is on the path to being healthy in 2021.

Georgia also returns Kearis Jackson, who looked like he was on track to break out early on in 2020, but his production failed to sustain. He went from a 90.2 receiving grade and 4.69 yards per route run through the first three contests to a 61.3 receiving grade and 1.30 yards per route run in his next seven games. He’s one of several high-ceiling, low-floor players on this team.

And don’t sleep on Arian Smith making a big impact this fall. Smith is a two-sport, world-class track star for his school.  He’s going to be a dangerous deep threat one day.

No. 1 was Ohio State with Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson and Clemson at No. 2 with Justyn Ross and Joe Ngata.

PFF expects Georgia Bulldogs WR to breakout

Pro Football Focus projects Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Arian Smith to breakout during the 2021 college football season

Pro Football Focus projects Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Arian Smith to breakout during the 2021 college football season. Smith is one of the fastest college athletes in the country.

The Lakeland High School speedster arrived in Athens as a four-star recruit, who was a member of the class of 2020, but Smith experienced a few injuries that setback his initial development.

Smith ran a 10.18 in the 100-meters event for Georgia’s track team this spring. Smith has burning speed and is well situated to have a big season following the emergence of Georgia quarterback JT Daniels.

Daniels flashed the ability to throw accurate deep balls in his four starts last season. He connected with Arian Smith a few times near the end of the year.

Smith will be a more critical target for the Bulldogs in 2021 because starting wide receiver George Pickens tore his ACL and Demetris Robertson is considering transferring. There should be plenty of opportunity for Arian Smith.

Smith was banged up last offseason. He underwent wrist surgery in May and had meniscus surgery in July. Smith did not play until Georgia’s final four games. He made an impact against South Carolina and Cincinnati and ended the season with 86 receiving yards on only two catches.

Here was Smith’s only career touchdown against South Carolina:

PFF additionally projects Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba, TCU’s Quentin Johnston, LSU’s Kayshon Boutte, Maryland’s Rakim Jarrett, and Clemson’s Joe Ngata to be the other breakout wide receivers for the 2021 college football season.

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Georgia football player card: WR Arian Smith

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Arian Smith is one of the fastest college football players in the country.

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Arian Smith, Wide Receiver (No. 11):

Class: Redshirt Freshman

Height: 6-0

Weight: 185 pounds

Hometown: Bradley, Florida

High School: Lakeland High School

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Arian Smith is one of the fastest college football players in the country. The Lakeland High School speedster came to Athens as a four-star recruit in the class of 2020.

Smith runs for Georgia’s track team in addition to playing wide receiver. Smith ran an impressive 100-meters time of 10.18 during track season. He helped Matthew Boling and Georgia set a school record of 38.54 in the 4×100-meter relay event.

Smith will be an important deep threat for the Bulldogs and quarterback J.T. Daniels. Georgia is missing starting wide receive George Pickens, who tore his ACL, and Demetris Robertson entered the NCAA transfer portal. There will be plenty of opportunity for Arian Smith.

Smith was banged up last offseason. He underwent wrist surgery in May and had meniscus surgery in July. Smith did not play until Georgia’s final four games. He made an impact against South Carolina and Cincinnati, but ended up taking a redshirt year. He will look to build off his solid ending to the season.

Kirby Smart and Todd Monken signed Smith, Justin Robinson, Marcus Rosemy, Jermaine Burton and Ladd McConkey as wide receivers in the class of 2020.

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Jan. 1, 2021; Atlanta; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Arian Smith (11) celebrates after a victory against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Another UGA football WR enters the transfer portal: Makiya Tongue

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Makiya Tongue has entered into the NCAA’s transfer portal

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Makiya Tongue has entered into the NCAA’s transfer portal. Tongue redshirted in 2019. Last year, he played against Arkansas State, Georgia Tech, and Murray State, but this season he didn’t see the field. It was harder to work in as many depth players this season because of Georgia’s conference-only schedule.

Tongue joins Georgia wide receiver Trey Blount in the NCAA transfer portal. The duo will be looking for new homes, but can still comeback to Athens. The NCAA is allowing the 2020 season to not count against eligibility, so there will be a ton of roster management this offseason. Seniors can come back to school and create a squeeze on roster spots for incoming freshman or transfers.

Tongue played both receiver and defense (safety/outside linebacker) in high school for University Lab. Tongue came to the University of Georgia as a four-star recruit. We wish him the best moving forward and will provide updates on his transfer destination.

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.

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UGA WR George Pickens ruled out versus Kentucky

The Georgia Bulldogs will be without talented wide receiver George Pickens today at Kentucky.

The Georgia Bulldogs will be without talented wide receiver George Pickens today at Kentucky. Pickens is Georgia’s No. 1 wide receiver and is a key piece in Georgia’s passing offense.

Pickens is injured and did not make the trip to Lexington, Kentucky. He’ll be missed, especially in the red zone. Kirby Smart and Georgia will look for players like Jermaine Burton, Demetris Robertson, and Kearis Jackson to step up in his place.

The Kentucky Wildcats have a good secondary, so this game could be closer than some of the experts think. Stetson Bennett and the Georgia Bulldog offense will have to look elsewhere for explosive plays in the passing game.

ATHENS, GA – OCTOBER 03: George Pickens #1 of the Georgia Bulldogs beats Roger McCreary #23 of the Auburn Tigers for a touchdown during the second quarter of a game against the Auburn Tigers at Sanford Stadium on October 3, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Pickens is out with an upper body injury. He’ll hope to play next week against the Florida Gators.

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Georgia football player card: WR Arian Smith

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Arian Smith may be the fastest player on Georgia’s roster

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Arian Smith, Wide Receiver (No. 11):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-0

Weight: 185 pounds

Hometown: Bradley, Florida

High School: Lakeland High School

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Arian Smith may be the fastest player on Georgia’s roster. Smith comes to Athens as a four-star recruit and a member of the class of 2020.

There’s anticipated to be competition at every wide receiver spot outside of the place occupied by George Pickens. Smith will be a deep threat for the Bulldogs. The speedster runs 100 meters in a mere 10.6 seconds.

Unfortunately for Smith, he’s been banged up this offseason. The four-star underwent wrist surgery in May and then had meniscus surgery in July. Smith is expected to be ready for the season opener against Arkansas. He may need some extra reps in practice before he’ll be ready to be a contributor. Smith has missed much of the offseason, but has the talent to play immediately.

Kirby Smart and Todd Monken signed Smith, Justin Robinson, Marcus Rosemy, Jermaine Burton (LSU flip), and Ladd McConkey in the class of 2020 at the wide receiver position. It will be fascinating to see which players emerge from this talented group as freshmen.

In addition to playing football, Arian Smith also participated in track at a high level in high school. He competed against the likes of Matthew Boling.

Jun 22, 2019; Miramar, FL, USA; Matthew Boling (center) wins the 100m in a wind-aided 10.15 during the USATF U20 Championships at Ansin Sports Complex. (From left ) Dante Brown Jr., and Arian Smith and Boling and Justin Ofotan. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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UGA football player card: WR Justin Robinson

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Justin Robinson signed with the University of Georgia as a member of the class of 2020

Justin Robinson, Wide Receiver (#17):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-4

Weight: 200 pounds

Hometown: McDonough, Georgia

High School: Eagles Landing

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Justin Robinson signed with the University of Georgia as a member of the class of 2020. Robinson has great size and came to Athens as a four-star recruit. Robinson won multiple state championships during his time at Eagles Landing Christian Academy.

Robinson will have an opportunity to compete this seasonespecially with Dominick Blaylock’s torn ACL. He’s expected to battle with other talented recruits for playing time at wide receiver opposite George Pickens.

Kirby Smart and Todd Monken signed Robinson, Arian Smith, Marcus Rosemy, Jermaine Burton (LSU flip), and Ladd McConkey in the class of 2020 at the wide receiver position. It will be interesting to see which ones emerge from this talented group as freshmen.

Here’s a look at Robinson following won of his state championship victories:

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UGA football player card: WR Kaustov Chakrabarti

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Kaustov Chakrabarti comes to Athens as an unheralded recruit. He’s a member of the class of 2020.

Kaustov Chakrabarti, Wide Receiver (#33):

Class: Freshman

Height: 5-7

Weight: 160 pounds

Hometown: Lilburn, Georgia

High School: Parkview High School

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Kaustov Chakrabarti comes to Athens as an unheralded recruit. He’s a member of the class of 2020 and is a preferred walk-on player.

Chakrabarti will have to fight for his spot in order to earn playing time. He’ll face stout competition from players like George Pickens, Dominick Blaylock, and more. Georgia’s lack of depth at the wide receiver position was addressed this past offseason.

UGA has incoming class of 2020 scholarship wide receivers in Jermaine Burton, Arian Smith, Marcus Rosemy, Justin Robinson, and Ladd McConkey.

Sep 8, 2007; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi (1) catches a long pass in front of South Carolina Gamecocks safety Chris Hampton (33) in the second half at Sanford Stadium. The Gamecocks defeated the Bulldogs 16-12. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine USA TODAY Sports

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Georgia Bulldogs football player card: WR Braxton Hicks

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Braxton Hicks came to Athens as an unheralded recruit.b

Braxton Hicks, Wide Receiver (No. 80):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-2

Weight: 195 pounds

Hometown: Tiger, Georgia

High School: Rabun County High School

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Braxton Hicks came to Athens as an unheralded recruit. He’s a member of the class of 2020 and played his high school football at Rabun County.

Marcus Rosemy, Jermaine Burton, and speedster Arian Smith are Georgia’s best wide receiver recruits from the class of 2020. That being said, Braxton Hicks will look to compete with them and will try to sure up the wide receiver position.

Check out Georgia”s newest group of wide receivers:

Hicks will be competing at the University of Georgia as a preferred walk-on. He’ll have to fight to earn playing time, but will be learning from a great wide receiver coach in Cortez Hankton.

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Georgia football player card: WR Marcus Rosemy

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Marcus Rosemy comes into UGA as a four-star recruit. He helped St. Thomas Aquinas win a state championship.

Marcus Rosemy, Wide Receiver (No. 81):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-2

Weight: 195 pounds

Hometown: Pompano Beach, Florida

High School: St. Thomas Aquinas

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Marcus Rosemy comes into Athens as a four-star recruit. He’s widely considered a top ten wide receiver in the class of 2020. He helped St. Thomas Aquinas win a state championship in Florida last season.

Marcus Rosemy, Jermaine Burton, and speedster Arian Smith are Georgia’s receiving gems from the talented class of 2020. Kirby Smart focused heavily on receivers in the class of 2020 and it paid off. They’ll look to sure up UGA’s receiver issues that plagued them throughout last season.

Rosemy should see immediate playing time next season and could be Georgia’s No. 2 wide receiver behind George Pickens. He has the capability to catch heavily contested jump balls.

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