Georgia football has strong case as preseason No. 1 with JT Daniels returning

With the return of quarterback JT Daniels, Georgia football has a great case to make as the preseason No. 1 in the 2021 college football rankings.

Football is a team sport but the return of an individual player can have a significant impact on the fortunes of that team. With the return of quarterback JT Daniels to the Georgia football team, the Bulldogs have a compelling case to be made as the preseason No. 1 team in 2021. Daniels could have elected to enter the 2021 NFL Draft but will instead compete for an SEC and national championship for Georgia football.

Now, preseason rankings are not the goal for Kirby Smart‘s team. The end-of-the-season rankings are all anyone remembers. However, being the preseason No. 1 is within reach for the Dawgs as they look forward to a potentially rewarding year that could end with the first national championship since 1980.

There were many who were surprised when Daniels transferred from USC to Georgia last offseason because of the presence of Wake Forest transfer Jamie Newman. As it turns out, Newman never even played a single snap for Georgia after opting out of the season to prepare for the NFL. Whether that proves to be the right decision for Newman, it paved the way for Daniels, a former five-star recruit who started as a true freshman for the Trojans, to make his mark on the program.

The return of JT Daniels could see Georgia as the preseason No. 1

It took a little longer than expected as he was slow to recover from a torn ACL in the 2019 season-opener for USC, but when Smart inserted him in the starting lineup, the Georgia offense thrived and the team benefitted from his play.

Daniels led the comeback drive in the Peach Bowl to hand Cincinnati the only defeat of their season. The connection and chemistry he showed with receiver George Pickens and both should put up monster numbers if both are healthy in 2021.

Coupled with Georgia’s always-strong rushing attack, loaded recruiting class and a plethora of returning starters on the defensive side of the ball, and it’s clear to see the optimism for Georgia football fans.

When factoring in the personnel losses at Alabama who’ll lose DeVonta Smith, Mac Jones, Najee Harris, Jaylen Waddle and so much more, Georgia could be the team to beat in the SEC. But also when you consider Ohio State will lose Justin Fields, Clemson will lose Trevor Lawrence and Notre Dame loses Ian Book, the quarterback uncertainty at those programs is something Georgia doesn’t have to worry about. Then again, those programs may not be overly worried about reloading with the next generation either.

It’s a long way to go before the preseason college football rankings come out, but keep an eye on the way-too-early Top 25 pieces coming out after the National Championship Game and where Georgia falls. Dawgs on top may not be so startling with Daniels and company back.

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