Somehow, I wish this would be the theme for 2026. Last year, it was “run the ball, control the run”. Yes, yes. Good, good. We saw what we could accomplish by running the ball well in the 2021-2022 run for National Championships, though I’d argue it was more about “run the ball easily” during those years. And why not…hell, we had seven offensive linemen with Washington and Bowers and both of them were unicorns. You couldn’t ever determine what they were about to do, and if you weren’t careful, a former three star wide receiver would zig and zag and kill you in the secondary.
Those were the days.
But let’s face it, those days are also here. Maybe we don’t have a McConkey, but, damn, we’ve got a stable full of unicorn tight ends, don’t we?
Granted, the running back room included a now NFL running back All-Star in James Cook, who was more valued for his receiving skills than his running skills. Our leading rusher in 2021 was Zamir White, and in 2022…Kenny McIntosh. 2023, with Bowers and McConkey still there…Daijun Edwards.
Let’s face it, we have a lot of “potential” with the receivers…picked up a good transfer in the portal and have a lot of young talent out there, and let’s not forget we still have London Humphreys, Sacovie White-Helton, and Talyn Taylor. The talent is there.
The running back room is solid. We apparently paid some good money to retain Frazier, Bowens is great, and behind them we also have Bo Walker and Dwight Phillips, Jr. for another thunder and lightning option. We are deep there and that’s not including at least two other freshmen that have upside, as well.
Offensive line should be stout. Experienced…hopefully healthy.
But if you look at all the groups we just mentioned…the tight end room is other-worldly. There is an embarrasment of riches there, with Elyiss Williams and Kaiden Prothro being possible unicorns. Remember Arik Gilbert? They both have his potential and athleticism…yet…are we going to use them?
Prothro showed in the Spring Game (I know…I know) that he has the potential to be a wide out and has the height, range, and speed to go up and get it. The same game seemed to demonstrate that there was a renewed spirit to go after the tight end in the passing game.
If that was a teaser, I’m all for it. I couldn’t care less if a receiver gets a reception if a corner back is having to make life decisions against a 6-7 tight end for a first down. Truth be known, the receivers would appreciate this the most as no one would be thinking about a receiver’s route given the giants and running backs and quarterback who has a tendency to run downfield and through people like a Rhino that forgot it’s not actually Tim Tebow, and doesn’t somehow sustain concussions (that we know of).
So I’ll throw this out there…I’ve never been a Bobo apologist or antagonist, I kind of lean on my coaching experiences to be balanced…but if somehow our offensive philosophy doesn’t increase touches by tight ends in 2026, I’d have to question the personnel decisions, as well as why Todd Hartley and his tight end room remains in Athens.
Maybe the unicorn isn’t the on field talent…it’s the position coach that can bring in five stars like it’s going out of style.
Protect the man at all costs. For all the talk of LBU and RBU we have, we somehow have a guy who never played college ball, is clearly not a former tight end, but can bring in tight end talent like Midas can make gold. Good thing, he’s a Georgia alum.
Bad thing, he’s working in the age of NIL.
Keep the talent in Athens, but more than anything else, fucking use it, Mike.
Go Dawgs.
