This will be the second year of the Kirby Smart era in Athens. Here’s a look at what his Georgia Bulldogs’ depth chart could look like heading into 2017.
2017 will be a year of great intrigue for the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC. This will be the second season former defensive back Kirby Smart will be coaching his alma mater’s Power 5 program. In his first year on the job, Smart’s Bulldogs largely underwhelmed at 8-5 (4-4).
While Georgia had good wins against North Carolina, Auburn and TCU, losses to Florida and Tennessee weren’t great. Losses to Georgia Tech, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt were painful. Even if Mark Richt got a 16th year in Athens, this was not a dominant Georgia team with an offense in flux.
Georgia started a true freshman Jason Eason at quarterback. He has obvious arm talent, but was mostly hit and miss in Jim Chaney’s offense. The running game largely evaporated last fall with a patchwork offensive line built around seniors Brandon Kublanow and Greg Pyke.
Fortunately, the defense looked more dynamic in one season under Smart than it had in most instances under Richt. Smart should have a dominating defense in 2017. If the offense improves, especially near the ball, Georgia could be a candidate to win the SEC East and get back to Atlanta.
Georgia draws a tough schedule this fall with road games at Notre Dame, Tennessee, Auburn and Georgia Tech. However, this upperclassmen laden team has the potential to win 10 regular season games and reach the conference championship. Here is a look at the top of Smart’s depth chart heading into the 2017 NCAA season.