Georgia QB legend Eric Zeier explains confidence in pass game, receiving corps

ATHENS — Eric Zeier has proven throughout his quarterback and broadcasting careers he knows how to pick out receivers, and he liked what he saw from the Georgia corps this spring.

The Bulldogs’ grew thinner at receiver on Friday when coach Kirby Smart announced the dismissal of leading returning receiver junior Jeremiah “J.J.” Holloman.

But Zeier, speaking exclusively with DawgNation earlier this week, made it clear he felt there was more promise at the position than most realize.

“We have tremendous talent on the outside with our receivers, and I think you will see guys emerge,” said Zeier, who held 67 UGA passing marks and 18 SEC records at the conclusion of his college career in 1994 and now provides color analysis for the Georgia Bulldogs Radio Network.

“There are threats like Demetris Robertson who had a very solid spring campaign, and I think we’ve got guys out of the backfield that can catch the ball,” he said. “You’ll see it with D’Andre Swift, Brian Herrien and a host of tight ends that can hurt defenses and create mismatch problems.”

The biggest advantage for the pass game and receivers, Zeier pointed out, is what’s expected to be a dominant run game.

The Bulldogs led he SEC in rushing in 2018, and they return six offensive linemen with starting experience.

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“I do think we’ll create situation after situation where defenses are forced to get extra guys in the box to defend the run,” Zeier said. “That will force man coverage and man-to-man situations.”

As important as experience is, Zeier is optimistic about the young talent coming in, freshmen George Pickens, Makiya Tongue and Dominick Blaylock.

“We have some freshmen coming in that can absolutely play the game,” Zeier said. “You never know for sure until you are between the white lines, but you look at where things are now.

“As you come up, there are so many 7-on-7 camps, and the level of sophistication at the high school level has changed dramatically,” he said, “so they are ready to go sooner when they get on campus, and they will be ready to gel.”