ATHENS — Mike Bobo works closest with the quarterbacks on Georgia’s offense. But seeing as how he is also Georgia’s play-caller and offensive coordinator, he has to have a good idea of what the rest of the offense looks like.
And entering the 2024 season, Bobo likes what he sees at Georgia’s skill positions.
One of the bigger talking points of fall camp thus far has been the Georgia running back position. What may have seemed like a question mark has quickly and quietly turned into a possible position of strength.
It’s a stark contrast to what Bobo was working with a year ago, when injuries forced him to get creative. Wide receiver Dillon Bell ended up becoming a key contributor at the position.
“We’re able to space out the reps, which you’ve got to always be careful of,” Bobo said. “You see guys that do a good job in the run game and have traits in the passing game, which is what you look for in a running back. All those guys have done a nice job and continue to work. I’m pleased with that group.”
Trevor Etienne is expected to be the leader at the position for Georgia. Branson Robinson has made impressive strides as he continues to return to form after injuring his patellar tendon last August.
Georgia also brought in three freshmen in the 2024 recruiting class, with Nate Frazier flashing during camp as well.
At wide receiver, Bell has been able to focus solely on the position. Following the dismissal of Rara Thomas, Bell will likely be Georgia’s starting X wide receiver.
Georgia did bring in three transfer wide receivers to help ease any depth concerns at the position. While there are still some growing pains when it comes to Colbie Young, Michael Jackson and London Humphreys, Bobo believes they’re going to be in a place where they can help Georgia this year.
“These guys are now at the place in their job where they can actually compete,” Bobo said. “In spring, they’re just trying to figure out how to line up. I’m running this route, they’re running how it looks in the playbook. Now they’re able to line up faster and they’re able to be coached more on technique on what we’re trying to do on each particular play.”
Bobo also spoke glowingly of the strides made by Arian Smith. The buzz around Smith has been consistent dating back to the spring, as he looks to build off what was a disappointing 2023 campaign.
Bobo has always seen the value of the tight end position, dating back to his first stint at Georgia with the likes of Orson Charles and Leonard Pope.
With Oscar Delp, Lawson Luckie and Benjamin Yurosek all on the roster, Bobo made it clear the tight ends will always be a factor in the Georgia offense.
“We try to do it all and have a big volume of offense,” Bobo said. “All positions for us offensively, it takes a lot of learning. We put a lot on them. But that position in particular, because it’s the run game and the pass game that they’re heavily involved in, it takes a guy that’s extremely bright.”
It helps that all the above-listed players will get to play alongside quarterback Carson Beck, who may well be the best quarterback in the country. Georgia also returns a strong offensive line that routinely ranks among the best in the country.
For as much confidence as Bobo has in the direction of this offense, he recognizes it’s still taking shape. The Bulldogs still have a few more weeks to tinker with personnel and plays, as they open the 2024 season on Aug. 31 against Clemson.
“We’re going to have a big volume of offense,” Bobo said. “We’re going to install it. Then we’re going to shrink it down and figure out what we do best. Maybe we’re not as good at this as we were last year.
“We’re still trying to figure that out as an offense, what we do really well and what we’ve got to work on.”
