In 2018 Georgia was trying to replace their number one receiver from the magical 2017 season. Wims was by far Jake Fromm's favorite target out wide for the Dawgs. Wims had a great senior season, as he recorded 720 yards and 7 touchdowns, on 45 receptions. Wims was a very reliable target in big games as he found the holes in coverage and exploited it. Now, going into the 2019 season Georgia will be tasked with replacing 2,335 yards and 27 touchdowns, on 155 receptions. This offseason Georgia lost their top four receiving targets to the NFL Draft, and just a few weeks ago, they lost JJ Holloman to off the field issues which forced his exit from the program. It is a very daunting task for Kirby Smart and receiving coach Cortez Hankton, who is going into his second in Athens. Hankton showed DawgNation that he is a very good coach on the field, as he got his top three receivers to the NFL after a very successful 2018 season. Hankton also has proved his worth on the recruiting trail as he has convinced three rising freshmen to come to Athens and further their career at one of the premier programs in the nation. Not only did he help bring in freshman, but he was able to land graduate transfer Lawrence Cager from the University of Miami. Cager is the most experienced wideout by far for the Dawgs this season and will be expected to learn the playbook before the end of fall camp, and start the season as a day one starter for the Dawgs. Last season Cager recorded 374 yards and 6 touchdowns on just 21 receptions in his junior season at Miami. Cager went from 70 yards and 1 touchdown on 8 receptions, his freshman year, to the numbers he put up this past season. When talking to Brent Wilson of Bulldogs Maven about the receiving this season he said this, "I’m not too worried about it. I think we lack experience, but we have plenty of talent at receiver, and I know a few of them will step up." He also went on to mention this, "It’ll be a committee for sure. D-Rob and Simmons are good. Cager brings some experience, but I’m really sold on Pickens. I think Landers will be good too." He points out the fact that Georgia is very inexperienced at receiver this season, but they do have plenty of talent to choose from. Georgia has done a tremendous job of recruiting top talent to come to Georgia and play wide-out. Players like Tyler Simmons who will be heading into his senior season has played behind Mecole Hardman, as they both provide speed out wide and have the ability to play in the slot. Simmons will be getting plenty of touches from Fromm this season. Demetrius Robertson who transferred from California before the 2018 season last year is expected to step up for the Dawgs after a year of being in the system. Robertson played against Austin Peay but did not get reception, but did record a touchdown off a jet sweep. In his time at California, D-Rob showed his agility and hands to be a threat for Georgia this season. If healthy I expect him to be a top player. I also spoke to Stepfan Salter, who is a big fan of the blog said this "Kearis Jackson..... , DRob and Lawrence Cager Tyler Simmons going to surprise everyone and No one counting Blount Those first three will open up the O like never before I think Pickens will contribute but Blaylock will be more effective I don't think everyone realizes how good our TEs going to be also....." Salter brought up the two big-time freshmen who chose Georgia this offseason and will definitely get some reps this season. Pickens has the size, speed, and hands to be the number one receiver on the depth chart on day one of the seasons. He showed in high school that if you put in his reach that he will go all out to get the ball, but he isn't finished after catching the ball. No, he will fight for the extra yards and will try to get in the endzone every time he gets the ball. Blaylock who is a long time Georgia commit excites me whenever I see him play because he looks like he could be the starting slot receiver for Georgia this season. He meets the criteria of a Jake Fromm favorite receiver. Whatever he lacks in size, he makes up for it in speed and ability. Georgia will be looking to include some inexperienced players who have had a year or two in the system but really never got the play time. People like Matt Landers, Trey Blount, and Tommy Bush, all have the talent to make an impact this season. I think Landers and Bush will get the most opportunities just because of the potential they've shown. But don't count out Blount who has been playing behind Hardman, Ridley, and Godwin. Blount could very well be a 5th or 6th player on the depth or could come in and provide an immediate spark to the offense. I think we'll see what we saw at the beginning of the season last year with the Dawgs receiving core, there wasn't until after the LSU game that Fromm and the receivers were on the same page and started to go on a rampage from then on. Make sure to follow both of the contributors of today's post on Twitter, @RodrigoSpecs, and @StepfanSalter
3 Comments
Stepfan Salter
7/8/2019 04:08:04 pm
I'm confident in the entire Wr room, CCH have really improved the play , with The General at QB &our OL there's no excuses. Cager have played in Coach Coley's O before he will pick up the playbook quick
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Top Dawg
7/8/2019 08:54:40 pm
Thank y’all for contributing.
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Harrison Reno
Is the founder and author of Top Dawg Blogging. Harrison has been blogging for the past 4 years Archives
April 2020
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