Georgia kicked off its spring practice on March 15 and will hold its spring game on April 16. As usual, the Bulldogs will gain plenty of intrigue this offseason with another talented roster looking to contend in the SEC East.
But Georgia will have a new coach leading its spring practice for the first time since 2001. Kirby Smart, a former Bulldogs defensive back, replaced Mark Richt this offseason.
The former Alabama defensive coordinator was annually rumored to several big coaching positions before returning to his alma mater in December. Smart inherits a team that ranked No. 6 overall in the 247Sports’ Talent Composite rankings and returns 10 starters on offense and six on defense.
Here’s a look at what to watch for in Smart’s first spring practice at Georgia.
Nick Chubb’s status for 2016
Nick Chubb is an incredible talent. As a freshman, he recorded the fourth highest single season totals by a Georgia back — trailing all three of Heisman winner Herschel Walker’s seasons — and rushed for more than 100 yards in 13 consecutive games, including five in 2015.
But Chubb missed the majority of his sophomore season after suffering an ACL injury against Tennessee on Oct. 10. Fellow sophomore Sony Michel was excellent in his absence, but not having Chubb hurt the Georgia offense.
The Bulldogs hope to have the rising junior back in time for the 2016 season and his progress will be monitored throughout the spring. If Chubb can make a successful comeback, he will be right alongside LSU’s Leonard Fournette in the Heisman discussion.
Georgia’s QB competition
(Photo: 247Sports)
Georgia quarterback Greyson Lambert is expected to retain the starting job in 2016. However, with a new coach and the nation’s No. 2 pro-style quarterback making their debuts, anything can happen.
Jacob Eason is a name many Georgia fans are already excited about. The 6-foot-5, 206-pound early enrollee rated as a 5-star prospect and ranked as the No. 5 overall player for the 2016 national recruiting class. Entering during a new coaching regime helps Eason’s chances if he outperforms the veteran Lambert.
There’s also a chance that Brice Ramsey, who many expected to win the preseason quarterback battle in 2015, could nab the starting job with a strong showing this offseason, but its far less likely.
Finding a No. 2 wide receiver
Georgia will be without leading wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell in 2016. Mitchell recorded 865 yards and five touchdowns on 58 receptions, which accounted for the majority of the Bulldogs’ passing attack.
Terry Godwin, who was second on the team with 379 yards on 35 receptions, is expected to take over as the team’s No. 1 option in his second season. But the Bulldogs still need to find a No. 2 option in 2016.
Georgia has plenty of options including rising sophomores Michael Chigbu, Jayson Stanley and Shaquery Wilson — all who made multiple appearances in 2015 — as well as rising junior Shakenneth Williams and early enrollee Riley Ridley.
Can Smart help a depleted front seven?
Smart may be a defensive guru, but he’ll need to make some adjustments to Georgia’s front seven. Leonard Floyd, Jordan Jenkins, Sterling Bailey and leading tackler Jake Ganus headline the list of departing defensive players.
Fortunately, Smart will inherit one of the SEC’s most talented secondaries in 2016. Georgia returns both starting cornerbacks in Malkom Parrish and Aaron Davis as well as safeties Quincy Mauger and Dominick Sanders.
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