ATHENS — Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm says he’s ready to push younger players and assume even more of a leadership role this season.

Good thing, because the Bulldogs lost a lot of production with four of the top five receivers and a 1,000-yard rusher moved on toward the NFL.

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“We lost a lot of production, we had up on the board that we lost 1,300 or 1,400 snaps that need to be replaced,” Fromm said in an exclusive television interview with WMAZ last week.

“But that’s kind of the deal about the turnover every single year, you’re always going to lose productive guys, it is what it is.”

Georgia wasn’t able to adequately replace running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel or receiver Javon Wims after the 2017 season, falling short in its quest to repeat as SEC champ and College Football Playoff participant.

But Fromm, entering his third season as the starting quarterback, likes what he sees from the group of returning players and the newcomers.

“I know there’s a lot of guys hungry in that offensive room right now, itching for the opportunity to take some of those snaps, get some of those yards and get some of those touchdowns,” Fromm said, “so I know they’re pumped about it.”

Junior J.J. Holloman is the leading returning receiver and looks to be the go-to man, while junior tailback D’Andre Swift is coming off a 1,000-yard 2018 campaign and has enjoyed a healthy offseason.

But those players, along with Fromm, know there’s a tough road ahead if Georgia is able to finally dethrone Alabama.

“You just know what it takes and you have to go that much harder,” Fromm said. “For me as the leader on the team, it’s to strive and push guys, say ‘Hey, you know what it takes, let’s go that much farther,’ so it’s my job to push them and lead them to want to do that and strive to be the best we can be.”

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