Three unanswered Georgia football questions we have as game week nears
There's reason for optimism everywhere before toe meets leather for a new season.
That’s particularly the case for Georgia football as it tries for a third straight national championship.
Even the Bulldogs have questions.
Here are three:
Georgia football: who will lead ‘RBU’?
The first player through running back drills Wednesday was redshirt freshman Andrew Paul, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL.
He was followed by walk-on Cash Jones and then true freshman Roderick Robinson.
Four more walk-ons filled out the group with Len’Neth Whitehead, the Tennessee transfer from Athens Academy in the back.
Game-by-game predictions: Will UGA run the table again in regular season?
'Grinding the last four years:' Carson Beck's time is here for UGA
That is the state of the backfield as the Sept. 2 season opener against UT Martin nears.
Georgia doesn’t have to rush back Kendall Milton (hamstring) or Daijun Edwards (reportedly a knee sprain), but it certainly will need those top back both to be healthy for the SEC grind.
Georgia lost Kenny McIntosh to the NFL and the season-ending patellar tendon injury to sophomore Brandon Robinson stings.
Will tight end Brock Bowers lead the team in receiving and rushing? We kid, but it’s a real question if the program will have as much bite in its ground game.
"It will be by committee like it always has been here," coach Kirby Smart said.
Will Georgia Bulldogs take a step back at kicker?
Georgia has lived the good life when it comes to its kicking game.
Rodrigo Blankenship left as the No. 2 all-time scorer in SEC history and Jack Podlesny finished 13th on that list with 16 fewer games. Blankenship is Georgia’s all-time field goal percentage leader at 82.47 and Podlesny is just behind at 82.43.
Georgia could have a worthy successor to Podlesny — we just don’t know yet.
Jared Zirkel has waited since signing in 2020 out of Kerrivlle, Texas.
The new kid is Peyton Woodring from Lafayette, La., who hit a state record 60-yard field goal.
“Field goal kicker has been a really tight race,” Smart said. “They both have been extremely accurate, outside of the one scrimmage. We haven’t decided yet.”
Which UGA football freshmen will flash?
Starting the season with UT Martin and Ball State means ample opportunity for players from Georgia’s No. 2 ranked 2023 signing class to get their first college snaps.
Several could carve out roles when the opponent is more formidable.
Defensive tackle Jordan Hall may lead the group.
“He’s got a motor,” defensive end Mykel Williams said.
Cornerback A.J. Harris could find his way onto the field. Another 5-star, backup star nickel Joenel Aguero, has been slowed by a hamstring injury. Damon Wilson and Samuel M’Pemba are names to know at outside linebacker.
Pearce Spurlin moves up at tight end with Lawson Luckie sidelined after ankle surgery.
“Thankfully, we’ve got a few games we’re going to get to before we get to really big time SEC play,” defensive lineman Warren Brinson said when asked about Hall and defensive lineman Jamaal Jarrett. “I can’t wait to see how these guys develop.”
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Here are three Georgia football questions as game week nears
