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Published Mar 2, 2020
Spring football questions: Which receivers will step up?
Anthony Dasher  •  UGASports
Editor

There’s one question all UGA fans seem to be asking: Who will be the next best wide receiver options after sophomore George Pickens?

Of course, head coach Kirby Smart will tell you that there needs to be more than one, and he’d be absolutely correct.

It’s obviously going to be critical for whatever offensive success that Georgia enjoys this fall for the receiving core to be a deep one, to give Jamie Newman, or whoever the Bulldogs’ quarterback happens to be, plenty of options.

Pickens, himself will need to improve. That includes the channeling of his emotions while on the field. Otherwise, he's expected to thrive during his second year in the SEC.

After that? The Bulldogs are in need of some help. Someone must step up, and finding that someone will be a big part of new offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s to-do list this spring.

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The top Dawg

George Pickens
ClassHeight/WeightNotes

Sophomore

6-3/190

As a freshman, he led the Bulldogs with 49 catches for 727 yards and eight touchdowns.

The biggest knock on Pickens last year was that sometimes he let his emotions get the better of him. But his work as a receiver was excellent.

A member of the SEC Coaches Freshman All-SEC team, Pickens was also the co-winner of Georgia’s Offensive Newcomer of the Year award after catching 49 passes for 727 yards and eight touchdowns.

It won’t be a surprise to see those numbers increase or for Pickens to propel himself into All-SEC status by the time the 2020 campaign is complete.

Ample opportunity at hand, but someone needs to emerge

Demetris Robertson
ClassHeight/WeightNotes

Senior

6-0/190

Former five-star hasn't posted the numbers most thought he would at Georgia, but don't give up on him just yet.

When Robertson transferred from Cal, it was thought the Savannah native would have made a bigger impact in Athens than he has.

Robertson did begin to receive more opportunities last fall, catching 30 passes for 333 yards and three touchdowns. Even so, those numbers pale in comparison to what he was able to do at Cal.

A lot of that has to do with opportunity. Talent-wise, Robertson is still the same athlete; one has to think there's more in the tank for the senior, who is arguably the fastest receiver on the team.

Kearis Jackson
ClassHeight/WeightNotes

RS Sophomore

6-0/200

Missed three games after injuring his hand in the opener at Vanderbilt. Did catch five passes for 79 yards, but more is expected.

Jackson lines up at the slot, but after suffering a hand injury in the opener at Vanderbilt, he never really got off the ground or made the impact most were expecting.

Still, coaches love his toughness, and it will be interesting to see how Monken goes about using him as part of the offensive package. It's an answer we probably won't know until the start of the season, but from what we're told, Jackson is very much a part of the plans.

Matt Landers
ClassHeight/WeightNotes

Junior

6-5/200

Landers has not exactly been the most consistent receiver for Georgia, but coaches haven't given up on him.

Many in the Bulldog Nation have given up on Landers, but the UGA coaching staff begs to differ.

Landers runs fine routes. He just needs to make sure the focus is there. If he can put it all together, the Florida native can still play an integral role.

Although he caught only 10 passes for 105 yards, he did catch a career-best three in the Sugar Bowl, including his first career touchdown.

Tommy Bush
ClassHeight/WeightNotes

RS Sophomore

6-5/195

Battled a sports hernia for most of the year but is healthy and hopes to make an impact this spring.

Bush was considered one of Georgia's least-polished signees two years ago. He was finally starting to make some strides before a sports hernia sidelined him for much of 2019.

In fact, he didn't see his first action until the regular-season finale against Georgia Tech, catching his first career pass for a 1-yard gain.

At this point, it's difficult to predict what the future may hold for the former track star. If he can pick up where he left off before his injury, then perhaps he can find a role.

Trey Blount
ClassHeight/WeightNotes

Junior

6-2/200

Has made only four catches for 52 yards in

Blount played in just four games for the Bulldogs last fall, qualifying him for a redshirt, which is why he's still listed as a junior for the second straight year.

How many remember that the former Pace Academy star actually started the 2017 SEC Championship against Auburn?

It's true. Unfortunately, his career has never quite enjoyed the bump he had hoped.

Makiya Tongue
ClassHeight/WeightNotes

RS Freshman

6-2/210

Redshirted, although he did play in three games.

It was expected that Tongue would redshirt as a true freshman. That's exactly what happened, although he did see action in three games against Murray State, Arkansas State, and Georgia Tech.

He failed to catch a pass, but he'll have ample opportunity to make a better impression this spring. He has struggled at times per our sources.

Justin Robinson
ClassHeight/WeightNotes

Freshman

6-4/200

Early enrollee who has the size; will have a lot to learn this spring.

Robinson is a bit of a project but coaches love his potential.

Being an early enrollee will help. Coaches believe he's got a bright future, but it's probably safe not to expect a ton from Robinson right away.

He'll need some time.

Don't forget about this guy

Dominick Blaylock
ClassHeight/WeightNotes

Sophomore

6-1/195

Blaylock tore his ACL in the SEC Championship and won't take part in spring practice.

Blaylock was enjoying a fine freshman season before tearing his ACL in the SEC Championship against LSU.

Although he won't take part in spring practice, it's hoped the former Walton star will return at some point during fall camp.

Of Blaylock's 18 catches last year, five went for touchdowns.

They're not here yet, but keep an eye on the freshmen

Jermaine Burton
ClassHeight/WeightNotes

Freshman

6-0/195

Four-star prospect was the nation's 126th overall player, according to Rivals

Ladd McConkey
ClassHeight/WeightNotes

Freshman

6-0/175

An all-purpose player who accounted for 3,051 all-purpose yards. Will play slot receiver for the Bulldogs

Marcus Rosemy
ClassHeight/WeightNotes

Freshman

6-2/195

Of all the freshmen, Rosemy may make the biggest impact. Caught 27 passes for 467 yards and nine touchdowns at powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas

Arian Smith
ClassHeight/WeightNotes

Freshman

6-1/185

Smith brings big-time sprinter's speed into the equation for the Bulldogs after winning the FHSAA Class 2A state title in the 200 with a second-place finish in the 100. Caught 19 passes for 382 yards and six touchdowns his senior season.

Prediction

Smart money is on Robertson to finally receive the opportunities many projected he would when he first arrived in Athens from Cal.

So too will Jackson and Landers. Now that he's 100 percent, Jackson has a chance to make a big jump as one of Georgia's top options at slot, and could thrive under Monken.

The same can be said for Landers. Landers catches a lot of grief from fans, and it hasn't been totally unwarranted, for his inconsistency catching the football. However, the Florida native does run good routes and remains one of the top athletes Georgia has at the position.

Don't be surprised if he makes a huge jump this fall playing for a new coach in a new system.

Hearing Kirby Smart tell folks in Macon Monday night that Dominick Blaylock (ACL) is already running straight line drills and is hoped to be ready at some point during fall camp is also encouraging.

At that time there's also going to be an influx of talent, including Marcus Rosemy, Jermaine Burton and Arian Smith, my picks with a chance to make a quick impact.

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