The Georgia Bulldogs had a very productive and efficient offense last season, averaging 37.4 points per game. One of the biggest reasons the Bulldogs had such great success on offense was Brock Bowers, a true freshman tight end at the time.
As the 2021 season began, it became very clear that Bowers was not only one of the best tight ends the program had seen in quite some time, but arguably one of the best tight ends in all of college football. In fact, Bowers’ freshman campaign was so impressive that some media went so far as to say he would have been an early pick for the first round in last year’s NFL draft.
After a year in which Bowers threw up 56 receptions for 882 yards and 13 touchdowns — which is arguably the best single season a Georgia tight end has ever had — all eyes are on him to see how he fares in his sophomore season looks like a college footballer. A player of Bowers’ caliber requires a lot of attention from opposing defenses, which could lead to the belief that he could potentially see a drop in production next season.
However, that may not be the case for Georgia’s tight end. In fact, he might even see a small increase.
It seems the best approach to stopping Georgia’s offense is to harness Bowers and force other players to hit you. Many teams tried this defensive strategy even in the second half of the 2021 season. Given the number of players on offense Georgia has regained this offseason, it may not be a logical approach to slow down the Bulldog’s offense.
Georgia has seen talented double-reported guns dwindled, most notably George Pickens in years past. Without the threat of a second option and a pass catcher during Pickens’ main season, the defense was given a chance to give Pickens quite a bit of attention. Very similar to what they’ll be trying to do with Bowers in 2022.
In Athens, however, there is a difference now.
Players like Adonai Mitchell, Kearis Jackson, Ladd McConkey and Darnell Washington will all line up on Georgia’s offense this season, and those names don’t even end the list. The Bulldogs also welcomed Arik Gilbert, who missed all of last season due to a personal matter. Gilbert flashed during the spring game and once again has the NFL community raving about his talents.
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People often forget that Kearis Jackson, who saw the majority of his career stats come down Stetson Bennett’s right arm during his best season in 2020, wore a knee brace in the first month of the season a year ago.
Not to mention Dominick Blaylock, who has steadily worked his way back into the line-up after multiple injuries in recent years, including a cruciate ligament rupture.
Taking all of this into account, the defense simply can’t give their full attention to Brock Bowers because the Bulldogs have too many offensive weapons to choose from and it would only open the field for one of Georgia’s other players to hurt a defense.
It sounds crazy, but Brock Bowers could see even more breathing room this year than last year. It’s an approach the defense needs to take against Georgia and that will certainly help open the field for a guy like Brock Bowers.
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