ATHENS – The biggest holes in Georgia’s schedule at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl appear to be the cornerback and middle linebacker.
As reported last week, All-American Eric Stokes and Butkus Award finalist Monty Rice should not play, confirmed coach Kirby Smart on Saturday.
Smart also confirmed reports that offensive team captain Ben Cleveland, along with tight end Tre ‘McKitty, also will not participate in the game for Bulldogs’ 9th place against 8th Cincinnati next Friday at the Mercedes-Benz stadium.
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When asked how Georgia hoped to replace the production of those three-year-olds with reserve players, Smart replied, “Well, I mean they have scholarships, right?”
Bulldogs have a lot of talent and depth after Smart’s stellar recruiting efforts in recent years.
In addition, Smart pointed out, Rice has seen some limited clicks since the Alabama game in October.
“Like, Monty hasn’t been in every game of the year, he had to run a lot this year,” said Smart. “I don’t know if you noticed, but Quay (Walker) and Nakobe (Dean) played a lot.
“There are probably two or three games that Monty just came in to spell them out because he was doing everything he could to help the team and he couldn’t go at full speed.”
Smart said reserve linebackers Channing Tindall, Rian Davis and Nate McBride also had more opportunities and will continue to get more snaps.
The cornerback’s position seems more urgent, particularly as Smart did not mention former DJ Daniel as an option to back up Stokes.
There have been several reports that Daniel will not play, but Smart did not address this in his call on Saturday.
“We had other guys who had to come in and play corner,” said Smart. “Ameer Speed has been playing a corner. Jalen Kimber, (e) Daran Branch grew up and started playing more, (e) these guys have to prepare to play in Stokes’ place. “
Georgia’s offensive line will be scrambled without Cleveland, the Bulldogs’ best blocker, choosing to leave an undisclosed shoulder injury to heal.
Smart did not share how the line could change with the departure of Cleveland, but Warren Ericson’s ability to play on guard or in the center helps tremendously as UGA seeks to get its top five on the pitch.
Freshman Sedrick Van Pran would be an option at the center, and redshirt freshman Clay Webb took action on the offensive guard in victories over South Carolina and Missouri if Ericson continued to deal with the crackling.
Smart confirmed reports that tight end Tre ‘McKitty was opting out of the bowl, too, sharing that the transfer of Florida state graduate was affected by the knee injury he suffered in the preseason.
Georgia has freshman Darnell Washington and the second year of the red shirt John FitzPatrick with experience in the short-rotation rotation.
Smart shared his concerns about the team’s pending Covid-19 tests after many of the Bulldogs’ players returned home for a three-day break during the holiday.
Positive tests or players left out by contact tracking could, in fact, play a vital role in the competition.
“If it’s the wrong position from the depth point of view,” said Smart, “it can really attack your team.”
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