Defensive line
In 2023, Georgia concluded the season with a 20th ranking in rushing defense, allowing a mere 3.8 yards per carry. While the defensive line wasn’t a glaring weakness, it didn’t showcase the typical strength associated with players like Jordan Davis and Jordan Davis. Even against Alabama, a team exploited the group, rushing for 114 yards and securing victory on the ground.
The primary concern, however, lied in the passing game. Despite being eighth in sacks per game in 2021, Georgia dropped to 40th in 2022 and further to 65th last season. The pass rush had become ordinary and deemed unacceptable in Athens.
Although Mykel Williams and Jalon Walker, the team leaders in pressures, returned for 2024, Walker, a linebacker, had only the seventh most pass rush snaps the previous year. Smael Mondon, another linebacker, ranked third in pressures.
While Warren Brinson and Nazir Stackhouse are back, Zion Logue departed for the league. Unfortunately, neither Brinson nor Stackhouse is recognized as impact pass rushers. Kirby Smart needed to make a strategic move by acquiring an edge or interior rusher through the transfer portal. Instead, the sole addition was Xzavier McLeod, who, as a 6-foot-5, 284-pound freshman at South Carolina, played just 30 snaps.
Quarterback
While the starting quarterback position seems secure with Carsen Beck performing well in his debut season, succeeding Stetson Bennett and showcasing potential improvement, the departure of Brock Vandagriff to Kentucky leaves Georgia without a reliable backup option. Vandagriff opted to transfer due to a desire for more playing time, leading to a potential gap in backup quarterback reliability.
Gunnar Stockton appears to be the logical choice as the No. 2 on the depth chart, but his experience is limited, having attempted only 19 career passes, with 10 of them occurring in garbage time during the Orange Bowl blowout win over Florida State. As Stockton enters his sophomore year, there is anticipation that he may be ready to step in if Beck faces injury, but relying solely on him might not be the most robust insurance policy.
In the context of Georgia’s perpetual win-now mentality, Kirby Smart should have considered adding experienced depth in this area. The lesson learned from Florida State’s experience last year emphasizes the need for a comprehensive plan beyond the starting quarterback, providing a genuine chance to win games and, if nothing else, to demonstrate to the committee that the team remains among the top 12 in the nation.
