Week 1 of Georgia’s Spring Ball is over. Four short weeks remain until G Day. The team hit the field for practice sessions this week on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. In his press conference on Tuesday, Bulldogs’ head coach Kirby Smart commented on the benefits of the Spring schedule: “I love spring practice because you get the day off in between. There’s a big recovery day, there’s a big install day. There’s a lot of information to be shared.” Last week, we looked at the running backs. This week, we’ll look at Georgia’s wide receivers. Although there will be some noticeable changes from the 2023 team, the Bulldogs have plenty of options for Carson Beck. Before we dig in, take a moment to take in the sounds of Spring Ball if you haven’t already!
The sounds of spring ball 😌#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/XBE9Q3xojl
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) March 13, 2024
Talkin’ Spring Ball: Georgia’s Wide Receivers
Replacing Bowers and McCononkey
Georgia had an elite offense in 2023. While the running backs may not have been entirely up to the standard Georgia fans are used to, Mike Bobo did a masterful job with the Bulldogs’ offense, including the receivers. Georgia was second in the SEC in average points per game (40.1) and average yards passing per game (305.6). Beck will be without three of his top four returning receivers in 2024. Brock Bowers was his favorite target and led the teams in yards and touchdowns. Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint was third on the team in receiving yards and was a dynamic deep threat for Beck. Ladd McConkey battled injuries for most of the season but showcased his value on essential third-down possessions when healthy. McConkey has healed from his injuries and continues to rise draft boards with solid showings at the Senior Bowl, the NFL Combine, and Georgia’s Pro Day last week.
Job interview 💼#GoDawgs | #UGAProDay pic.twitter.com/YmJOpLHS9N
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) March 13, 2024
Roster turnover is expected in Athens. Smart and his staff have done a phenomenal job in high school recruiting and using the Transfer Portal to help keep a consistent pipeline of talent between the hedges. Here is a look at the key players returning from the 2023 team and the new faces to watch during Spring Ball.
Georgia’s Returning Wide Receivers
Let’s start by looking at who is returning from the 2023 team. Here is one tight end and two wide receivers to watch.
- Oscar Delp (TE): Nobody can replace Bowers, but that isn’t what Georgia needs. The Bulldogs have plenty of talent, and Todd Hartley has been elite in ensuring Georgia’s tight end room is stocked. Delp was TE2 last season and will look to take over the top spot in 2024. The 6’5″ Junior from Cummings, GA., has a big body and the athleticism to put his hand in the ground or line up in space. Delp had 24 catches for 284 yards and three touchdowns on the season.
- Dominic Lovett (WR): Lovett came to Georgia from Missouri last season. The senior ranked second on the team with 54 receptions for 613 yards and hauled in four touchdowns. Bowers was Beck’s go-to safety net in 2023. Look for Lovett to step into that role, lining up in the slot and racking yards after the catch on short and intermediate crossing routes.
- Rara Thomas (WR) Thomas came over from Mississippi State in 2023. He showed his ability as a deep threat and a great option on 50/50 balls. Thomas had 23 receptions for 383 yards in 2023. Although he only had one touchdown during the season, it showcased his athleticism and potential for big play.
Rara Thomas ELEVATED for this touchdown catch 🤯
(via @GeorgiaFootball) pic.twitter.com/zCjofPbjkF
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) October 7, 2023
New (Transfer Portal) Additions
Four of the seven transfers on the Georgia football team are at the receiver position. Smart’s comments from his press conference provide insights into what he is looking for when supplementing his roster from the Transfer Portal. It’s more than just statistics and measurable; they must also be a culture fit. (I) “can’t tell you anything about them, really, because I haven’t seen them go out there and do anything,” Smart said. “I’ve seen them run around in circles, touch a cone, lift a bar, but that doesn’t define a football player for me. I can tell you the research we’ve done to bring them into our program was: Do they care more about the team than themselves, and do they believe in culture? They all checked those boxes.”
Here is a brief overview of the four additions.
- Benjamin Yurosek (TE) Stanford: Was an All-Pac-12 honorable mention tight end in 2023 despite being limited to just six games in 2023. He made an impact both receiving and rushing for the Cardinal. Yurosek finished the season with 239 yards on 16 receptions and rushed for 53 yards on 11 carries. Bobo used Bowers in multiple roles last season; maybe he can do the same with Yurosek.
- Colbie Young (WR): Miami (FL.): He was ranked third on the Hurricanes in receptions (47), receiving yards (563), and receiving touchdowns (5) in 2023.
- Michael Jackson III (WR) Southern Cal: In his two years in Los Angeles, Jackson had 29 receptions for 352 yards with four touchdowns while appearing in 16 games with two starts. He was limited a bit due to injuries.
- London Humphreys (WR) Vanderbilt: In 2023, he was named to the All-SEC Freshman team. Humphreys was second on the team with 439 receiving yards and four touchdowns, one of three SEC freshmen with at least four receiving touchdowns. Was it his 49-yard touchdown pass on the opening drive against Georgia that caught Smat’s eye?
