Predicting success

For those wondering if wide receiver Demetris Robertson will have the impact many predicted he would a season ago, D’Andre Swift offered some hope after practice earlier this week.

When asked what wide receivers were impressing him the most this spring, Swift started with Tyler Simmons, before catching himself, instead shifting his focus to Robertson who apparently has really opened the running back’s eyes.

“D-Rob has really had the best spring out of anyone,” Swift said. “He’s come along well. It’s really nice to see him out there making plays.”

For example:

“Vertical threat. Speed. Consistency. He hasn’t had too many dropped balls,” Swift said. “You can see him and his confidence building.”

Expectations were high when Robertson transferred last summer from Cal to Georgia. After his score on a 72-yard speed sweep in the opener against Austin Peay, it appeared the former Savannah Christian star was certainly going to be one to watch.

It didn’t quite work out that way. Robertson struggled to get on the field before a concussion limited his play over the final third of the year. Hence the question: What’s next? Is Robertson still the player most projected he would be when every major program in the country was pining for his services three years ago?

Short answer, yes.

Teammates will tell you he’s the same player he was as a freshman at Cal when he caught 50 passes for 767 yards and seven touchdowns. However, at Georgia, it’s not just about how well you run your routes.

If you want consistent playing time under Kirby Smart, you’ve got to learn how to play physically and how to block. He arrived at Georgia at the same time summer strength and conditioning drills were coming to an end. This also put Robertson behind, a fact he pointed out during a post-game conversation after the SEC Championship.

“For me, it’s really just been learning the offense. This is the third offense I’ve had to learn,” Robertson said back in December. “Plus, I wasn’t here over the summer to get my chemistry and work out with the guys.”

With a season under his belt, it appears progress is being made.

During drills so far this spring, Robertson has been working with Georgia’s second wave of wide receivers, not only lining up at flanker, but according to Smart, has also received some looks along with Kearis Jackson at the slot.

Smart’s take?

“He’s got to continue to play more physical, but he’s made some catches,” Smart said. “He’s made some vertical threats.”

Robertson’s shown what he has the potential to do.

His freshman season at Cal, Robertson was one of the top freshmen wide receivers in the Pac 12 before injuries limited him to four games as a sophomore prior to his transfer to Georgia.

Robertson would rush for 109 yards and one touchdown for the Bulldogs, but failed to catch a pass the entire year.

“I’m sure it was rough on him,” Swift said. “Coming into an environment like this, having high expectations like he had. But like I said, he’s had a great spring so far. I think come G-Day, everybody will see the hard work he’s put in.”