Georgia football offense projections: Bulldogs’ record-holder shares insight

ATHENS — The look and personality of the Georgia offense is on most everyone’s mind, even as it remains in the concept phase.

Fact is, the Bulldogs have not had a padded practice, much less a scrimmage, since Todd Monken was named offensive coordinator in January on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. Georgia, like many other teams, didn’t get to hold spring football drills.

It’s widely believed UGA will have an “Air Raid” look about it, will multiple receiver sets and the field spread wide.

But Terrence Edwards, Georgia’s all-time leading receiver, said he believes it will be an offense featuring great variety based on the different looks Monken’s offenses have shown at Oklahoma State, Southern Miss and in the NFL.

“People call his style ‘Air Raid,’ but I think he’s versatile,” Edwards said. “What I would like to see, and what I think would be very successful, is if we have 4,000 yards passing and 2,000 yards rushing.”

To put that into perspective, that would project to 500 total yards per game with 333 passing and 167 yards rushing.

Georgia averaged 408 yards per game last season, with 223 passing (72nd in the nation) and 185 rushing (41st).

The stable

“We have to continue to run the ball,” Edwards said. “We have the backs. Zamir White, and I like Kenny McIntosh a lot — I like him a lot — then we have Kendall Milton coming in. So we have a stable of backs.”

And Edwards believes, a breakout weapon.

“James Cook, I think he’s going to finally have a breakout season,” Edwards said. “I think coach is going to find a way to get that explosive running back in space.”

Cook, Edwards indicated, has been underutilized in the offense.

“He needs at least 10 touches a game,” Edwards said. “In that return game, that screen game, handing it off to him. He has to touch the ball at least 10 times to use his God-given ability.”

Quarterback attack

“We have to be able to scare people int he passing game, and I think Jamie Newman, from watching his film, gives us a dynamics that Jake didn’t have,” Edwards said. “No knock on Jake, I just think Jamie is able to push the ball downfield at a better rate than Jake could.

“I think he’s a a 6-4, 230-pound quarterback that can use his legs …. that’s what we need in today’s game. A quarterback that can get that first own, or move the pocket, or extend the play with his legs. That’s what teams that are winning in college football have right now.”

Edwards, who has trained or worked with several of Georgia’s receivers at his TE wide receiver academy in Atlanta, is already hearing things about transfer JT Daniels.

Daniels, of course transferring to Georgia from Southern Cal and has applied for a waiver that would grant him immediate eligibility.

“I’ve heard some great things about JT already, “ Edwards said, “That he can flat-out sling it.

“So we have options and we have talent, we just have to put it together.”

Edwards said George Pickens is the best receiver on the team, and he expects senior Demetris Robertson to be the “make-or-break” wideout that will need to take the pressure off Pickens.

Kearis Jackson is a returning receiver Edwards is high on, while Jermaine Burton is the incoming freshman he expects to make the biggest impact.

Moving forward

Georgia remains in the midst of voluntary workouts through July 14.

The NCAA Division I Council recently approved a six-week preseason calendar that will allow Kirby Smart and his football staff to start overseeing activity on July 15.

The Bulldogs won’t be able to start using a football in their workouts until July 26, and conventional football practices begin at UGA on Aug. 9.

Georgia’s start dates a later than most because UGA scheduled a Monday night game on Sept. 7 against Virginia — as opposed to a more conventional Saturday game (Sept. 5).