ATHENS — Georgia knew it would be without its leading receiver from the 2017 season, go-to guy Javon Wims.
But not having senior Terry Godwin healthy enough for a start until the fourth game has proven to be a bit much to overcome, as the Bulldogs’ downfield pass attack has sputtered.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart says Godwin is picking up speed and working hard to get back to being the sort of target Jake Fromm and Justin Fields will be counting on.
“I think Terry’s slowly but surely gotten healthier all year, (but) I still don’t know that Terry’s at 100 percent,” Smart said. “His GPS numbers say he’s getting closer but here’s a guy who didn’t get to work out (this summer).
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“He’s worked really hard to get back where he is now. I think he’s getting closer. It’s really hard in the season to get your legs under you because you are constantly running and you have to practice to get better. He recognizes that and he’s practicing hard and I think as he gets more conditioning and in shape, he’s going to help us.”
Georgia senior receiver Jayson Stanley said on Wednesday that Godwin continues to making amazing plays in practices.
“You see that every week, every day of practice, Terry will do something amazing that I don’t think anybody else could do, like a one-handed catch, from any direction,” Stanley said. “He definitely has something special.”
Smart appreciates Godwin’s leadership and toughness.
“He had a huge block on one of Justin’s touchdown runs, he just removed the corner out of the picture and blocked really well,” Smart said. “I’ve been very pleased with, not his growth, but getting back to normal.”
Godwin is the Bulldogs leading returning receiver, having made 38 catches for 639 yards and six touchdowns last season.
Thus far in 2018, Godwin has four catches for 46 yards in four games and made his first start of the season in the 38-12 win over Tennessee last Saturday.
Godwin told DawgNation after the victory over the Vols that he’s over the calf and knee injuries that hindered him.
“There’s not an issue anymore, I’m back,” Godwin said. “With any injury it’s going to take you a little time to get back to where you were, and probably not even quite get back to where you were, but you just have to keep pushing.”
Georgia football vs. Vanderbilt
• Georgia coach Kirby Smart confident competing QBs have healthy relationship
• Opposing view: Vanderbilt pass game could give Georgia trouble
• Bulldogs players say they are ‘putting an emphasis on starting fast’
• Kirby Smart provides Bulldogs’ injury update for Vanderbilt week
• Georgia football says it’s still trying to find its offensive identity
• The plan is to play two quarterbacks, and that’s a very good plan
• On the Beat with Mike Griffith: Bulldogs can’t afford slow starts
• Georgia a prohibitive favorite over Vanderbilt under lights
