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College Football 2018: Biggest question facing every Top 25 team in spring practice

By Nicholas Ian Allen

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Jalen Hurts (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Jalen Hurts (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 30: Jake Fromm #11 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs for a nine-yard touchdown in the second quarter of a game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 30: Jake Fromm #11 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs for a nine-yard touchdown in the second quarter of a game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

See Penn State.

Like Penn State, the Georgia Bulldogs saw several former players do great things at the scouting combine. Running backs Sony Michel and Nick Chubb were both impressive, as was top receiver Javon Wims. All-American linebacker Roquan Smith likely solidified his first round status, and Lorenzo Carter might have worked his way into the conversation as a Day 1 pick.

Also, like the Nittany Lions, Georgia is set at quarterback – at least seemingly so after Jake Fromm excelled as a true freshman, leading one of the most efficient offenses in the nation on the way to an SEC Championship and a near national title. Fromm will face a challenge from incoming freshman Justin Fields, a consensus five-star prospect and one of the top two quarterbacks in the country in the most recent recruiting class. Running back D’Andre Swift also impressed as a freshman – so much so he’s considered an early dark horse Heisman candidate. Wims’s size will be missed, especially in the red zone, but Terry Godwin and Mecole Hardman form one of the most talented receiving combos in the SEC and Riley Ridley showed flashes of his potential late in the season.

Smith and Carter ranked No. 1 and No. 3 on the team in tackles, respectively, and Smith led the squad in tackles for loss, sacks and run stuffs. D’Andre Walker is a solid rebuilding block in the linebacker corps, and two of four starters return in the secondary and on the offensive line.

Head coach Kirby Smart has raised the talent level and depth on the defensive side of the football, so the Dawgs should hold most SEC offenses in check. The talented roster and rebuilding division rivals make Georgia heavy favorites to repeat as SEC East champs and could make another playoff push.

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