Georgia gets three linemen on Outland Trophy watch list
Kirby Smart likes a brand of football that starts in the trenches. Being able to move men on the line of scrimmage on offense and holding their ground on defense is paramount. That’s why it’s no surprise that Georgia got three players on the watch list for the top linemen in the country.
Jalen Carter
Jalen Carter is Georgia’s lone Outland Trophy watch list representative on the defensive line. Last season, Carter finished the 2021 season with 37 tackles and 33 quarterback pressures, good for second best on the team. He also had 3.0 quarterback sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss – third among all Bulldogs – and blocked two kicks, one of 20 players in the entire country to do so. Carter has been named to the Preseason All-American team by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, as well as Athlon Sports and many others. He was voted as First-Team All-SEC player by the media at SEC Media Days after the coaches had him on the All-SEC Second-Team at the end of last season. Making his inclusion last year even more impressive is the company that was around him. Carter was also included today on the watch list for the Nagurski Trophy, given to the top defensive player in all of College Football.
Warren Ericson
Warren Ericson is one of Georgia’s returning offensive linemen, starting 14 games for the Bulldogs last season. He didn’t initially win the job out of camp but took over once Tate Ratledge went down. That’s making things interesting as we head into camp this season with Ericson competing for his spot again against Ratledge, Xavier Truss and Devin Willock, among others. Ericson also gives Georgia versatility given the fact that he can play multiple positions, so even if he doesn’t win the job out of camp, there’s a good chance he plays an important role for the Bulldogs at some point during the season.
Broderick Jones
Broderick Jones played in every game during the 2021 season in some capacity. The majority of that action was either on special teams for field goal protection or as a reserve offensive lineman. However, he did start four games during the regular season in place of an injured Jamaree Salyer. He played every offensive snap in the wins over Missouri and Tennessee while also coming to the rescue when Salyer got hurt against Auburn in the first half. Then, in the College Football Playoff Championship Game, Georgia was struggling offensively and opted to make a change. Salyer moved inside to his more natural guard spot and Jones entered, having to go against the talented pass rush of Will Anderson and the rest of the Alabama defense. Jones held up just fine. He was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team for his efforts in 2021.
