Tips from the teacher
Former Georgia standout Terrence Edwards had a lot to say about three of the newest members of the Bulldogs’ wide receiver corps, during a telephone interview with UGASports recently.
Sunday afternoon, Georgia’s all-time leading receiver tweeted a picture of himself, along with Justin Robinson, Ladd McConkey, and Jermaine Burton following a private session at his Terrence Edwards Wide Receiver Academy.
Apparently, Bulldog fans have much to look forward to.
“Jermaine and Justin, I’ve been working with since middle school,” Edwards said. “Ladd, the first time was today.”
At 6-foot and 175 pounds, McConkey is transitioning full time to receiver after primarily playing quarterback at North Murray High School in Chatsworth, earning Region 6-AAA Player of the Year Honors.
“I was impressed. There are a lot of things we need to continue to work on. He’s real green at the position, but he’s a great athlete and I was impressed with his ability to run,” Edwards said. “His straight-line speed is good, and he has a burst, a short-to-immediate burst that's something he's going to need.”
Edwards projects McConkey as playing slot for the Bulldogs.
“I think he's going to be able to change the game slot. He can control the middle of the field, because he does have good straight-line speed,” Edwards said. “But he also has that ability to get in and out of break points in your short to immediate routes."
What's the best thing he did for someone who hasn’t played the position? "He caught the ball very well. He was very comfortable catching the football.”
However, considering he is basically learning a new position, Edwards said McConkey’s impact may not be made this fall.
It might take him a year.
“Just my honest opinion, I think he's probably another year away. I think a redshirt year would be good for him,” Edwards said. “But he has ability, and this is a really good late pickup in the recruiting process. He has some tools in the toolshed that can help Georgia win some games.”
Edwards is considerably more bullish on Robinson, who arrived in Athens as an early enrollee. But with the school closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, he’s back working with his old coach.
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds by Georgia on National Signing Day, Edwards said Robinson is currently at 216 and is ready to shock some people this fall.
“Justin has the ability to high-point footballs; he’s got the ability to track footballs. He has a large catch radius, being so tall and big,” Edwards said. “He’s going to be able to do like Kirby wants on the outside, and that’s to have dogs out there on the perimeter.”
Physically, Edwards believes the former Eagles Landing standout is ready to make an early impact. He also believes Robinson will be physical enough perhaps to play a couple of different roles for new offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
“Now that he’s added a lot of good strength, he’s ready to compete on an every-down basis with SEC corners. He can come into the slot and block linebackers. You won’t have to put a tight end in the game, because you can put Justin in there. He can control the edge with his abilities,” Edwards said. “He’s going to bring a lot to the table that no one in that room has right now, for being such a young receiver.”
However, there are some adjustments Robinson will have to make.
“If we had to play tomorrow, I’d say he’s got a lot of things mentally he needs to continue to work on. He has to adjust to the speed of the game coming from a Class A Private,” Edwards said. “He’s got to understand what college football is all about, that’s why this spring was going to be big for him. But I do think—and this is just from the physical aspect of it—he has the ability to compete.”
In Burton, Edwards sees a receiver who can potentially do it all.
At 6-foot and 195 pounds, Edwards believes the Georgia native could play either outside or inside for the Bulldogs.
“Jermaine is special. He has a burst, he has loose hips, he has everything you need to be successful in the SEC,” Edwards said. “Physically, he’s ready. Mentally, he has to get in there and understand—just like every freshman—that there are some things he’s got to learn on his own. So how fast can he transition from high school to college? Physically he’s ready to go.”
Knowing Burton as long as he has, Edwards doesn’t think it's going to take him long. Getting to school in May might not be as much of a detriment to earning playing time as perhaps it would be for others.
“Jermaine has been here this whole semester since coming back from California. He’s done with school, so right now, he’s just taking his time,” Edwards said. “He’s training every day with a weight trainer, a speed coach, and he comes to me three times a week. So technique-wise and being the best receiver he can be, physically he’s going to be ready.”
