Georgia football: Top 5 players returning to lead the offense in 2022

As the defense reloads to some degree, the Georgia football team must lean on its offense.

Fresh off its first national title in 41 years, the Georgia football team must prepare for life as the hunted going forward.

While Georgia had been on the brink of breaking through for years under head coach Kirby Smart, the Dawgs are finally on top of the college football world. Though repeating as national champions will be incredibly difficult, Georgia should win the SEC East again and contend for a College Football Playoff spot in 2022. At worst, they need to be playing in yet another New Year’s Six bowl.

Though the defense lost so much talent to the 2022 NFL Draft, here are five playmakers Dawg Nation can trust to lead next year’s team offensively.

Georgia football: 5 best returning offensive players for 2022 college season

Ladd McConkey can be trusted to dominate in the slot and return punts for

One of the breakout stars in last year’s Georgia receiving corps was redshirt freshman Ladd McConkey. The unassuming former three-star recruit certainly turned heads with his explosive play-making ability a season ago. He had 31 catches for 447 yards and five receiving touchdowns, amassing six total touchdowns on 35 touches, approaching 500 all-purpose yards on offense.

Though he may not be the best receiver on the team or anywhere close to the most talented, McConkey clearly possesses that clutch gene to be great. The stage was never too big for him and he only seemed to get better as the season progressed. With more catches to be had in Todd Monken’s offense, look for McConkey’s role to expand even more in his third year with the team.

He may have an NFL future already, but that might become a certainty if he plays well next year.