Around the Dawg House will bring you daily updates from what people and publications are saying about Georgia, from inside and outside of Athens.
ESPN looking ahead to 2019
Georgia still has a lot to play for in the 2018 season, as it can still win the SEC and more importantly, play in the College Football Playoff this year.
But it’s also not too early to look ahead to the 2019, one where Georgia projects to be even better for a number of reasons.
ESPN’s pool of college football writers wrote about what each Top 25 team has to be excited about for next season, and, rather unsurprisingly, freshman Justin Fields was brought up as the thing that will really excite Georgia fans.
“Some Bulldogs fans might be more anxious than others when it comes to Justin Fields‘ implementation into the offense this season, but remember this is just a starting point,” ESPN’s Alex Scarborough said. “As a sophomore next season, Fields could do even more to help Georgia become more dynamic. What’s more, the defense should benefit from the return of several young talents, including freshmen Jordan Davis and Tyson Campbell. Defensive end Nolan Smith, ESPN’s No. 2 overall 2019 prospect, could provide a disruptive pass-rushing presence as well.”
Fields has played sparingly this season, as he’s split reps with Jake Fromm. The freshman quarterback was the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2018 class. He has not yet started a game this season but figures to see a lot of reps this weekend against UMass.
But Georgia will also bring back Fromm, running back D’Andre Swift, four starters on the offensive line and a host of contributors on the defensive side of the ball. And that’s before mentioning a number of 5-star recruits Georgia is set to bring in, such as Smith, 5-star DT Travon Walker and 5-star WR Dominick Blaylock.
Whether Fields is the starting quarterback or not, Georgia should be even better in 2019 than it is in 2018. And that should really frighten the rest of the country.
Big day for Deandre Baker
As far as individuals this season, Georgia hasn’t had a better player than senior cornerback Deandre Baker.
He’s hauled in two interceptions this season, and he’s played so well that teams have basically stopped throwing to him. Baker was recognized for his efforts this season on Wednesday by being named one of the 15 semifinalists for the Walter Camp Football Foundation Player of the Year.
Among some of the other nominees for the award, which is given annually to the best college football player of the year, include Will Grier of West Virginia, Kyler Murray of Oklahoma and Tua Tagovailoa of Alabama.
Baker also coined a new phrase for D’Andre Swift’s signature move, for when the Georgia running back just leaves a defender in the dust.
“When he runs and stops on a dime, we call that the dead leg. He does it all day in practice, that’s his signature move,” Baker said on WSB’s Bulldogs Game Day television show.”You go this way, he’s got the quickness to stop on a dime and change directions.”
Baker has locked up a number of talented receivers this season, and with Alabama and its arsenal of weapons looming, the senior cornerback will need to continue to play at a high level if Georgia is going to win the SEC.
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