Projecting Georgia’s depth chart at tight end

The Georgia Bulldogs return a lot of talent at tight end for the 2021 college football season. The Dawgs lost Tre’ McKitty to the 2021 NFL draft, but return top tight ends Darnell Washington and John FitzPatrick from last season.

For depth chart purposes, we don’t consider LSU transfer Arik Gilbert to be a tight end. Instead, he is more of a wide receiver. Gilbert has the talent to play both positions. Fans should expect him and Darnell Washington to give opposing defenses fits.

Here’s how we size up the Georgia tight end room:

Tight End No. 3 Brock Bowers

Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers is quite talented, but will likely spend much of his year developing in Georgia's elite tight end room. Bowers is rated a four-star recruit and is ranked the No. 105 player and the third-best tight end in the 2021 class. The former Napa High School star put up incredible numbers as a junior in high school. Bowers is versatile and has a basketball background. He is Georgia's third-best or even second-best receiving tight end, but it usually takes freshmen longer to adjust to the physical blocking required at the college level.

Tight End No. 2 John FitzPatrick

Sep 26, 2020; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end John FitzPatrick (86) dives over an Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back. Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia's John FitzPatrick figures to start the season as Georgia's top blocking tight end. The 6-foot-7, 250-pound tight end is more than a blocker. He's played in 23 career games and racked up 95 receiving yards on 10 catches last season. FitzPatrick started for the Bulldogs in the spring game, but Darnell Washington's upside is too much for him to not start in week one against Clemson.

Tight End No. 1 Darnell Washington

Jan 1, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Darnell Washington was tough to tackle in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Darnell Washington finished his freshman season with seven receptions for 166 yards. He showed a good connection with quarterback J.T. Daniels. He should be in for a larger role as a sophomore. Washington came to the University of Georgia as a five-star prospect in the class of 2020. He played high school basketball, which is a helpful background for tight ends. Darnell Washington was impressive in the spring game, but recently suffered a minor injury.

Georgia's other top tight ends

Sep 26, 2020; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brett Seither makes a reception. Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brett Seither has played in five career games and has one catch for 12 yards. He offers some quality depth at the position and will battle with Brock Bowers for the third tight end spot. Redshirt sophomore Ryland Goede missed the 2020 season with a shoulder injury, but hopes to return in 2021. The 6-foot-6, 240-pound tight end has good size and could be one of Georgia's better blocking tight ends. Goede is a former four-star recruit.

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