Georgia receivers show range in size, skillset of the position
Now more than ever, there is an extreme amount of diversity in skillsets of the Georgia Bulldogs’ wide receivers. It certainly comes as no coincidence. Todd Monken and the Georgia offensive staff task the room with a variety of different roles to execute each week. Overall, it seems that Bryan McClendon’s position group has bought into that challenge.
Looking at the Georgia receivers to catch a pass so far this season, there is an 8-inch difference in height (5’8 to 6’4) and a 40-pound difference in weight (170 lbs to 210 lbs). Throw in the tight ends and those numbers for the pass catchers get amped up another notch. Kearis Jackson, one of the leaders of the group, recognizes this diversity and spoke to how it contributes to the overall success of the offense.
“All of us, speed, size, height, everything, we all different,” Jackson said on Wednesday. “We all different types of receivers. We all bring something different to the table. And when it’s like that, our OC is able to work around that and do different stuff within the offense cause each and everyone has a different skill set. So with that being said, it just makes us more versatile in our offense.”
With some burners in the receiver room like Arian Smith, Jackson believes that he plays a much different role in the offense.
“I think I’m a bigger guy,” Jackson explained. “I’m one of the heaviest in the receiver room, maybe the second. Just me being a physical receiver, dependable and accountable for, just go out there ready to make a play honestly. I feel like my teammates can depend on me in any situation. And I just love being out there. And whenever my opportunity comes I just try to make the most of it.”
Against the Missouri Tigers last week, Dominick Blaylock pulled in three receptions for 42 yards, his largest total since facing off against Auburn in 2019 (50 yards). Like Jackson, he’s a physical pass catcher. It takes one to play in the slot and get hit by linebackers play after play. Earlier this week, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart mentioned the importance of Blaylock to the receiver room as one of those bigger, physical wideouts.
“They’re all different,” Smart said about the wide receiver group. “Dom has been there the whole season. I don’t think it’s an integration factor. He’s been really clutch, and what he does he does really well. There are package plays for Dom and he does a nice job. His plays he made the other night were really clutch. A lot of the receivers made some. Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint had some clutch plays and Arian (Smith) had the one catch. Getting him back and getting him some confidence is great, but we have to have some depth at that position and some guys make some plays at those positions.”
Blaylock also recognizes the role that he has in the Georgia offense and claimed that each receiver is aware of what they specialize in on the team.
“Yeah, the wide receiver group, they’re a great bunch. We all just try to help the team out whatever way is possible,” Blaylock said. “We just keep playing fast, keep playing physical and just do what we can do.”
“They’re a great bunch,” he added, in speaking on the wide receivers younger than him like Dillon Bell. “They’re improving a lot every single day. It’s just fun watching them out there in practice playing hard, and they’re awesome.”
Jackson, Blaylock and the rest of the receiver room puts their skills to the test against Auburn this week with an opportunity to leave their mark on the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry in its 127th all time meeting. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
