Kirby Smart explains how Oscar Delp will be used differently than Darnell Washington

Despite being one of the strongest position rooms in the country, Georgia does have to deal with the loss of Darnell Washington. Head coach Kirby Smart has given the task to sophomore Oscar Delp. Brock Bowers is still around but with how the Bulldogs operate, more than one tight end needs to be playing at a high level.

As one top tight end departs Athens, another steps into the spotlight.

Before discussing what Delp has brought to the table during spring ball, Smart explained Georgia is going to miss Washington in multiple areas. He said Washington sometime served as another offensive lineman, especially when blocking for Stetson Bennett. The 6-7, 269-pound tight end will be missed on the in-line.

“It’s not the same,” Smart said. “We don’t have that same mass and movement. It doesn’t just affect the run game — it affects the play-action pass game. Because where Darnell was elite was ‘yeah, he can block you.’ He can go out into the perimeter and block you. He can get vertical on play-action. When we mass protected, he was like having another lineman in.”

Delp is different than Washington, obviously not being as big. He clocks in at 6-5, 225 pounds. Still an imposing figure, nobody in the tight end room was ever going to compare physically to Washington. Smart will have to find different ways to use Delp.

But for now, Smart is happy with how the anticipated starter is blocking. If Georgia is going to miss Washington the most when trying to run the ball or protecting the starter, hearing Delp is developing in a positive direction is a good sign the transition could be seamless.

“Oscar is doing that,” Smart said. “Oscar has been a pleasant surprise blocking this spring. He’s come so far. You don’t know how much Oscar got better vs. the people who he’s blocking. Because he’s not blocking Robert Beal and Nolan (Smith). He’s blocked Gabe (Harris), Sam (Shurtlett), C.J. (Madden), and even Chaz (Chambliss).

“But Oscar has done a good job when going up against Tramel (Walthour) and Mykell (Williams) when he was out there and Ty.”

Delp did some experience as a true freshman, appearing in 13 of Georgia’s 15 games. While he only caught five passes for 61 yards, he also impressed a few times while blocking down the field. Add in Smart’s praise when going up against top pass rushers and the Bulldogs will be in good hands heading into the 2023 season.