The 2024 Georgia Bulldogs receiving core might end up being it’s most explosive group yet as Wide Receiver’s Coach James Coley has a loaded group to work with in his first season back in Athens.
In Georgia’s case, you have to have guys ready to step up in order to replace the production received in 2023 from Ladd McConkey and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint as both have moved on to the NFL. Senior receiver, Dominic Lovett will look to step up even more as he is expected to be one of Carson Beck’s top targets for the 2024 season. Lovett is heading into his second season with Georgia and is coming off of a 2023 where he hauled in 54 catches for 614 yards and four touchdowns as his explosiveness in the slot provides a lot of juice for the Dawgs’ passing game.
Junior receiver, Dillon Bell will also be a top veteran option for the Dawgs’ offense as he is perhaps the most versatile player on the offense along with being excellent when running after the catch. Bell racked up 29 receptions for 355 yards and two touchdowns while at receiver in 2023. Bell also lined up in the backfield for the Dawgs as he rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries.
Arian Smith is also back for another season with Georgia as the fifth year Senior will look to use his blazing speed to be one of the Dawgs’ top vertical threats. Smith caught eight passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns in 2023 as he averaged 19.1 yards a catch.
Though Coach Smart already had a pretty well equipped Receiver’ room, it wouldn’t stop him from going into the transfer portal to acquire more elite talent. Elite talent such as Vanderbilt’s London Humphreys, Miami’s Colbie Young, and USC’s Michael Jackson III as all three guys will play meaningful snaps in 2024.
Humphreys is listed at 6’2, 200 pounds and his style of play is very similar to Ladd McConkey’s considering he has great route running skills and is able to be explosive in just about any part of the field. In his Freshman season at Vanderbilt, Humphreys averaged 20 yards a catch with 22 receptions for 439 yards and four touchdowns.
Colbie Young will more than likely be Georgia’s top redzone target as he brings a lot of physicality with his 6’3, 215 pound frame as he can really go up and get the football in those jump ball situations. Last season with Miami, Young brought in 47 receptions for 563 yards and five touchdowns as he averaged 12 yards per catch.
As far as Michael Jackson III, he will more than likely be getting some opportunities to field punts and return kicks along with being used in the screen game with his quick speed and 6’0, 210 pound frame. Last season with the Trojans, Jackson III caught 17 passes for 146 yards and one touchdown in seven games as he spent the majority of the season battling injuries.
A few other names to keep an eye on will be underclassmen Anthony Evans III, Tyler Williams, and Cole Speer as all three guys are due to get more snaps this season.
With that being said, expect this Georgia offense to be as explosive and electric as ever as this Wide Receiver room has all the talent and veteran leadership to be one of the top cores in the country this upcoming season.
Go Dawgs!