ATHENS — There might not be projected first-round picks in Georgia’s receiver room entering the 2024 season, but there’s a championship mindset.

Just listening to veteran receiver Dominic Lovett share his mindset made it easier to understand why Kirby Smart is such a fan of the blue-collar Missouri transfer.

Lovett, a consistent pass catcher and fierce blocker, pointed out how the individual success takes care of itself when teams are winning.

“I could have a 2,000-receiving yard season and we go 3-7, but with team success comes individual success,” said Lovett, the team’s leading returning receiver with 54 catches for 613 yards and 4 touchdowns last season.

“As long as we’re winning and I can help the man next to me, or he can help me and we grow together on and off the field, that’s bigger than football,” he said. “That’s really our (Georgia) standard — connection.”

To be clear, Lovett has the look of being Carson Beck’s go-to receiver after catching 7 passes for 104 yards, including a spectacular grab for the game-tying touchdown in the final seconds of the 20-20 tie.

Lovett’s knowledge of the offense and willingness to take on any and all tasks figures to lead to a high snap count this season and give Georgia a player it can rely on regardless of score or circumstance.

“All of us (receivers) grew more comfortable with the playbook, understanding the scheme, and not just looking at where you are on the field, but having conceptual learning — learning the whole play instead of just knowing your position,” Lovett said, asked about the strides made in the offseason under new receivers coach James Coley.

“It’s important because you might not be in that (same) position at different times; We might call a different formation, or you might be in a different role,” he said. “So, just the biggest thing as a whole offense is having interchangeable partss, with people being able to switch to different positions and make sure we’re still doing our jobs.”

Lovett revealed he took part in several individual workout sessions of different kinds during the summer.

“Offseason (workouts), you don’t really know what to expect, you just have to come in with your jaw set,” Lovett said. “If Carson or anybody on the team hit me up, I’ll come work with them.

“Whether that be catches with the quarterbacks, or whether it be footwork with the wide receivers, releases with the DBs, I might come in on my off day with a defensive player and talk with him about coverages to see how his mind is working from a defensive standpoint and vice versa.”

Lovett’s talent, toughness, and work ethic, is sure to play well in the professional ranks and ensure him an NFL roster spot next season.

But first things first, Lovett is focused on his leadership role and helping his team to win games this season.

" It’s everybody helping everybody, trying to get better,” Lovett said. “The separation is in the preparation, that’s what we say. It’s another go-round with the same goals.”