Georgia football was the No. 1 ranked team in both the Coaches Poll and AP Poll. The Bulldogs’ talent level is a big reason why there’s such a belief in the program.

Georgia had four players land on ESPN’s Preseason All-American Teams.

Quarterback Carson Beck, offensive guard Tate Ratledge and safety Malaki Starks were all members of the First Team, while Mykel Williams made the Second Team as a defensive end.

“Starks could become Georgia’s first two-time All-America safety in nearly 40 years,” ESPN’s Chris Low wrote. “He’s been a rock for the Bulldogs on defense since his true freshman season and excels in both stopping the run and playing coverage. The 6-1, 205-pound junior was fourth on Georgia’s team last season with 52 total tackles and had three interceptions. When the Bulldogs have needed a big play, Starks has been there to make it.”

Beck has earned consistently strong reviews for his play during fall camp, be it from teammates or head coach Kirby Smart.

“He’s just hungry,” tight end Oscar Delp said. “No one likes how we ended the season last year. You can tell he didn’t just the way he approaches practice every day. He’s looking to get better and make guys around him better. He’s confident. He’s a great quarterback. He’s a great guy to practice with. You can just tell he’s got that chip on his shoulder. He’s excited to play this year.”

As for Ratledge, while he’s listed as a guard on the All-American team, he could well play center for the Bulldogs in their first game against Clemson. Ratledge has been getting reps at center dating back to the spring as a way to build depth at the position. The move proved prophetic, as projected starting center Jared Wilson has been dealing with Achilles tendinitis during camp.

If Ratledge moves to center, Georgia would slide either Micah Morris or Dylan Fairchild into Ratledge’s spot at guard. Regardless of the injury situation, Georgia’s best five-man offensive line combination features Ratledge in some way.

Starks is the most experienced member of Georgia’s secondary, which has to replace three starters from last season’s team.

His presence should be a boon to a new look secondary. Starks is one of four members to make the ESPN Preseason All-American Team for a second straight year.

“I got a lot of confidence in the players in the secondary,” Smart said. “They have to go do it live action, scrimmage this Saturday, practice every day to get to where we’re going to be really comfortable with them.”

Like Ratledge, Williams has been working at a new position this fall, as the junior has been taking more reps at outside linebacker. He’ll still play on the defensive line, but Georgia expects him to be more impactful while providing a rush off the edge in obvious passing situations.

Georgia tied Michigan and Alabama with the most first-team selections with three. Only Ohio State had more players on both teams, as the Buckeyes had five total players spread across the two teams.

The Bulldogs open the season against Clemson on Aug. 31.