Saw this pop up on the feed last night and it got me thinking:
Which Georgia players need to have great years for Georgia to have a great year in 2026? Some of my thoughts:
OL: Earnest Greene
Greene has received a good bit of criticism over the years, and deservedly so. Last season was his first where he seemed to step up and look like a competent offensive lineman, but for the team to have a great season, he needs to look like a first or second day draft pick for Gunner et al to have a great season. I think he’s there, and Phil Rauscher may have the secret development sauce that Kirby likes to get Greene there.
QB: Gunner Stockton
I’m all in on Gunner, don’t get me wrong. But it would be nice to see Gunner move from Superman to Supercool. At times, Gunner seemed a little giddy in the pocket and would go through his progressions too quickly and tuck and run. If he had Newton’s or Tebow’s frame, then that’s great, but he’s Gunner and he can run into situations where he’s knocked around like a ragdoll and could put himself into concussion protocol…and leave us with who? Pug? Beaver? Getting the ball downfield and using the other-worldly tight end room he has at his disposal would be a step in the right direction.
WR: Talyn Taylor
We’ve seen flashes of potential but we know the shelf life for receivers in Georgia is short. It would be nice to see him turn into a downfield threat who can stretch the field and keep defenses guessing to make room for Frazier and Bowens to make hay in the run game. He has a small body of work, but most remember him for dropping a sure TD against Alabama before he went out with an injury.
DL: Jordan Hall
I know much of the attention will be on other guys on the defensive line, but the legend of Jordan Hall needs to become an actuality this year. As best as I’ve heard, he’s healthy and can play. Will he remain that way? Hard to say…but the defensive line needs to have a breakout year in order for anyone else one would mention in the secondary as a big player.
Also…what in the world happen to sacks?
OLB: Gabe Harris or Quintavius Johnson
Gabe Harris started to come on strong last season, and he has the size and build to be that guy you think twice about if you’re considering running through your progressions or if you’re about to cut into a gap in the defense. Likewise, Johnson had a good year, too…but one bizzaro aspect of Kirby’s defense has been the lack of outside linebacker play and talent in recent years. Edge pressure and setting the edge seems to have dropped off, but so has much of the pressure in the box over the past few seasons, as well.
Strengthening the play in the trenches on both sides of the ball seems to have been a priority last year and hopefully into 2026…the pieces seem to be there, provided the pieces remain healthy and gel as a unit.
Honorable Mention: Mike Bobo
All I’ll say here is I hope Bobo has a season for the ages, Georgia wins the National Championship, and we have less to bitch about around here. I hope the offense scores so much and so often that defense seems to be an optional flourish to the gameday experience.
Shot:
Chaser:
So…Refugees…who are you hoping will have a breakout year in 2026?
It’s hard for me to take a shot at Greene. Dude has played through injuries over the last couple of years. I hope he can stay healthy, so we can see consistency in performance.
On Gunner, I have no idea whether he was coached last year to get yardage when a play breaks down or whether he would make the decision to vacate the pocket early in the progression. What I don’t want him to do is become Aaron Murray, who didn’t consistently use his athleticism over his last 3 years or to make throws into coverage.
I want see if the defensive line in totality can take over games like they did in the national title years and at times last year. I watched the Texas game from last year again a few nights ago. The defensive front overwhelmed the Texas offense for much of the game. The TD Texas scored was due to a short field after the turnover and a questionable defensive holding call. I still don’t understand why they didn’t play that way consistently.
If Gunner turns into Aaron Murray, Georgia wins the whole damn thing.
Murray was cursed with bad defenses while leading some of the best offenses in school history. I also think Murray was coached not to run which to me was a mistake. He could have been used in that way wisely to keep him from getting banged up. Hell, he got pummeled against Auburn anyway.
Totally agree on Greene. He has played hurt his entire career.
If Gunner becomes a statistical equivalent to Murray on yards and TDs, I would agree with you. I just don’t want him to be coached not to use his athleticism. According to Kirby, they are allowing “broken” plays to go longer because they found that a lot of our explosives last year came when plays broke down around 14.
Lines of scrimmage and WRs are the three groups I’d like to see really stand out.
As always, UGA football offense to lead the way, build up early leads when possible, allowing the opposition offense to be predictable, letting UGA “D” to EAT…Special Teams Play to dommmmminate…GO DAWGS!! (Injuries are a part of UGA football life)!
Anyone and everyone. Just win.
OL has looked overwhelmed by mediocre defensive fronts the last couple of years, so that’s where I’m putting my hopes.
My non-UGA friend with legitimate football smarts and genes to back it up keeps telling me our defense will be the best in the country by season end, so I’m just going with that. Lol
From your friend’s lips to the Man Upstairs’s ears …
OL and DL. Also, dammit Bobo!
Why is Talyn Taylor flashing the ‘Shocker’ hand sign? What would be a shocker is if he would catch the football when it matters!
My biggest shocker would be if Jordan Hall actually contributes and is a glimmer of what he was once hyped to be. I have more faith in Bobo being hailed as the greatest OC ever.
My #1 hope for the season is…Did Kirby get better? He’s certainly showing leadership in the CFB world on recruiting and NIL management, team focus, direction and development. But everyone has their weaknesses and room for improvement. With all of the insane distractions throne at the now Dean of SEC Coaches, has he improved his staff? His own game management? His self scouting to correct weaknesses? He’s maturing and becoming more of a CEO which is necessary, but does that come at a loss or gain in his coaching acumen? That’s what I’ll be watching for.