The month of June is here, and that means talking season is upon us. With the only sort of significant football news that seems to come out being from official visits and camps – both of which are recruiting related – folks around the country are left only to share takes ahead of the 2024 season and draw up storylines for what’s to come. That’s exactly the kind of thing that happens with anonymous coach quotes.
Athlon Sports released quotes from SEC coaches about their conference foes this week. The ones on Georgia were quite complimentary, as you might expect for the preseason No. 1 team. Whether it’s praise for Kirby Smart or his players or simply the program as whole, there was plenty to go around about the Bulldogs.
“They’re still the first team to put in the conference title and playoff conversation,” one coach shared.
“With [Nick] Saban retired, this is the best overall program in college football right now,” another added. “If the current Ohio State staff had a national title, you might make an argument there, but entering ‘24, this is the standard.”
As for the individuals, a couple of the coaches believes in quarterback Carson Beck. While he won’t have Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey as comfortable options to throw to, he’ll have more than enough with the likes of Dominic Lovett, Dillon Bell, Oscar Delp and others.
“This is Beck’s offense now, so his development this offseason is crucial,” an SEC coach said.
“If you’re looking for a fault, it might be that all of [QB Carson] Beck’s safety-valve options at receiver and tight end are gone,” another shared. “Obviously, they’ve brought in some studs to add to what they’ve recruited, but having a Brock Bowers is like a cheat code for a young QB.”
As for the defense, one of the 16 in the league believed last year’s unit wasn’t up to Kirby Smart’s high standard. He’s been around college football long enough to know what a good defense looks like, and it starts at the line of scrimmage.
“[Nazir] Stackhouse and [Warren] Brinson are both back, and that defensive line should be better,” the individual shared. “They weren’t bad, but by Kirby Smart’s standards, there was a step back after Jalen Carter and those guys left.”
About the Bulldogs
Georgia enters the 2024 season as the favorite according to oddsmakers in Las Vegas to bring home a third title in four seasons. Quarterback Carson Beck is a big part of the reason why, being listed by the same oddsmakers as the top candidate for the Heisman Trophy. He’ll have weapons to work with – both new and old – in his second year as the starter including Dominic Lovett, Rara Thomas, Dillon Bell, Oscar Delp, Colbie Young, Benjamin Yurosek, Trevor Etienne and others. Put all that behind an offensive line that returns four players with starting experience, and it’s easy to see why hopes are high for the Georgia offense.
Of course though, as long as Kirby Smart is the head coach, the Bulldog defense is going to be strong, and that remains the case in 2024. Safety Malaki Starks was an All-American last season while EDGE Mykel Williams and inside linebacker Smael Mondon are certainly capable of playing at the kind of elite level. CJ Allen and Raylen Wilson played valuable snaps as true freshmen and should take steps forward – as should sack leader Jalon Walker, now a junior – while the secondary must replace three NFL Draft picks including one each at cornerback, safety and STAR.
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