ATHENS — Wes Johnson takes over as Georgia’s new head coach with a shiny new CWS ring from LSU and a belief he can get another one coaching the Bulldogs.

“It’s all about the players,” Johnson said, explaining his approach to leading Georgia baseball into the future.

“You take them to another level, and the winning takes care of itself.”

To Johnson’s point, the Bulldogs’ talent has not measured up to other programs in the SEC.

Pitcher Jaden Woods was the only Georgia player selected in the first two days and 10 rounds of the Major League Baseball Draft, going to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the seventh round with the 197th overall pick.

There were 32 other SEC players from 12 different SEC schools selected before Woods, illustrating a talent gap.

Johnson, while at LSU last season, developed and oversaw a pitching staff featuring:

• No. 1 overall pick Paul Skenes

• No. 38 pick Ty Floyd

• No. 51 pick Grant Taylor

It’s safe to say pitchers will recognize the opportunity and value of working under the direction of Johnson, who also had stints working with the Minnesota Twins along with Mississippi State and Arkansas.

“I think it helps in development and game managing experience,” Johnson said. “I’ve run a bullpen and worked from the defensive side of the ball at the highest level you can go to.

“You can get a little of that experience at the college level but not as much as at the major league level.”

National Freshman of the Year Charlie Condon is bought in, having elected to stay with the Bulldogs rather than pursue more lucrative NIL offers at other established programs.

“It was massive, monumental, pick your adjective,” Johnson said of UGA retaining Condon. “I said earlier this year, this is the best right-handed hitter beside Dylan Crews we’ve seen this year.”

Crews was the overall No. 2 pick in the MLB Draft on Sunday night.

Johnson has been active getting players in the portal, as expected.

Two of the more notable names headed for Georgia are Baylor Freshman All-American shortstop Kolby Branch and Purdue second baseman and team triple crown winner Paul Toetz.

Clayton Chadwick is a versatile outfielder from Sam Houston State who also appears headed for Georgia intent on making an impact in the batting order

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Johnson said he’ll keep an eye on the draft, as the Bulldogs have a few other players who could return or elect to turn pro, including

• Third baseman Parks Harber

• Catcher Corey Collins

• Pitcher Liam Sullivan

• Catcher Fernando Gonzalez

Johnson and his coaching staff can get to working directly with players after classes begin in August. Until then, there the staff will recruit and the players on campus will condition.

“It’s all about building confidence and putting together a plan,” Johnson said. “That not only gets them better, but it will give them confidence.”