ATHENS — The whirlwind of transactions with players coming and going and now staff turnover underway might seem like it could be overwhelming, but for Kirby Smart, it’s another day at the office.
In fact, it’s part of the plan.
“I don’t think you ever arrive,” Smart said following the 2018 season when he was pressed to replace both his offensive and defensive coordinators. “I could be sitting here in Year 10 and there’s still got to be growth. If you don’t grow then what are you doing, why are you doing this profession?
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“I challenge our guys to do the same thing, our staff. If you are sitting here doing the same thing you did last year, then we’re not going anywhere, because other people around us are changing and developing and getting better. If we’re not doing that, then we are going to get passed by.”
Georgia won its third straight SEC East Division title in 2019 with first-year coordinators at the helm, and Smart found a way for another Top 10 finish this season despite a quarterback quandary like no other and an injury-riddled defense.
Smart’s ability to quickly replace Sam Pittman with Matt Luke was impressive, as was the Bulldogs’ ability to secure not one, but two, top quarterback transfer prospects in one offseason.
Hiring Scott Cochran away from Alabama was a boost that will not be fully realized until this offseason, as the Covid-19 pandemic prevented the energetic Cochran from working his harmonic magic.
Still, there are challenges and major questions for every program to answer each offseason, and as Smart said, he recognizes it as part of the process.
Here are 3 burning questions entering the offseason
1. How hot is the hiring pool?
Georgia is an attractive place for assistants to come work, especially when one considers that three former Smart assistants have since become head coaches (Mel Tucker, Sam Pittman, Shane Beamer), and two others have moved up directly into defensive coordinator roles, most recently secondary coach Charlton Warren.
Former UGA athletic director Greg McGarity made it clear in past instances that fielding a competitive salary would not be a problem for the Bulldogs in the hiring process, and new AD Josh Brooks has expressed the same mindset when it comes to helping his head coaches do their jobs and get the things they need.
There are plenty of names in the rumor mill, some more realistic than others, as UGA looks for a proven, energetic coach that can teach championship technique and relate to players.
Smart has often hired assistants who have worked with or around him in the earlier stages of his career, leading to an intriguing list of names.
2. Transfers in?
Former Georgia recruiting target and LSU star tight end Arik Gilbert is a popular name in the transfer portal, but with classes underway in Athens Gilbert’s status remains in flux.
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The NCAA Division I Council, which plays a determining role in how NCAA sports are governed, made the decision to indefinitely delay votes on name-image-likeness (NIL) and one-time transfer legislation last week.
That action has made some transfers pause, as they await a more clear picture of how their appeals for immediate eligibility might play out.
That appears to be one consideration for Gilbert, who was considering the Bulldogs among other schools.
Georgia is also on the hunt for defensive backs via graduate transfer status, junior colleges, and, in some cases, the transfer portal.
It could be a case where the Bulldogs add more players after spring drills, as was the case with recent transfers Lawrence Cager, Eli Wolf and Tre’ McKitty.
3. Who’s out?
The Georgia football roster has not yet been updated online and has been fluid to say the least, as DawgNation has worked to keep up with via our ever-changing transaction post.
By one “unofficial” count, there are currently 82 players on scholarship who are enrolled in the program. And, by “unofficial” that means there could be more roster turnover that has taken place but not yet been made official.
Georgia is expected to add at least eight or nine more players to the roster before next season, meaning that more attrition from the list below is a certainty.
The big question: Who’s out?
RS Senior (2)
WR Demetris Robertson
DT Julian Rochester
Senior (2)
OG Justin Shaffer
DT Devonte Wyatt
RS Junior (5)
QB Stetson Bennett
OLB Robert Beal
STAR William Poole
CB Ameer Speed
S Latavious Brini
Junior (8)
RB James Cook
OL Jamaree Salyer
NT Jordan Davis
OLB Adam Anderson
MLB Channing Tindall
MLB Quay Walker
S Chris Smith
P Jake Camarda
RS Sophomore (7)
QB JT Daniels
RB Zamir White
TE John FitzPatrick
WR Kearis Jackson
OT Owen Condon
OG Warren Ericson
DE Tramel Walthour
Sophomore (8)
RB Kenny McIntosh
WR George Pickens
WR Dominick Blaylock
DE Travon Walker
OLB Nolan Smith
MLB Nakobe Dean
MLB Trezmen Marshall
S Lewis Cine
RS Freshman (9)
TE Ryland Goede
TE Brett Seither
OT Xavier Truss
OT Warren McClendon
C Clay Webb
NT Tymon Mitchell
DT Bill Norton
DT Zion Logue
MLB Rian Davis
Freshman (25)
QB Carson Beck
RB Kendall Milton
RB Daijun Edwards
TE Darnell Washington
WR Marcus Rosemy
WR Jermaine Burton
WR Arian Smith
WR Justin Robinson
WR Ladd McConkey
OT Broderick Jones
OT Tate Ratledge
OT Chad Lindberg
OT Austin Blaske
OG Devon Willock
C Sedrick Van Pran
C Cameron Kinnie
DT Jalen Carter
DT Warren Brinson
DT Nazir Stackhouse
OLB Mekhail Sherman
CB Jalen Kimber
CB Daran Branch
CB Kelee Ringo
S Major Burns
K Jared Zirkel
EARLY ENROLLEES (16)
OT Amarius Mims
QB Brock Vandagriff
OLB Xavian Sorey
OLB Smael Mondon
OT Micah Morris
CB Nyland Green
SS David Daniel
TE Brock Bowers
RB Lovasea Carroll
DT Jonathan Jefferson
DT Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
OLB Chaz Chambliss
WR Adonai Mitchell
DT Marlin Dean
CB Javon Bullard
WR Jackson Meeks
NOT YET ENROLLED (4)
OG Dylan Fairchild
ILB Jamon Dumas-Johnson
CB Kamari Lassiter
OG Jared Wilson
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