ATLANTA — Kirby Smart knows how to find impact freshman, but Saturday’s 34-3 win over Clemson is evidence of how Georgia is maximizing transfer rules, too.
Newcomers scored three of the Bulldogs’ four touchdowns and led the team in rushing and receiving — and, true freshman KJ Bolden led the defense with 49 snaps and was second on defense with four tackles.
Here’s a look at key performances and an outlook for each player:
Georgia freshman tailback Nate Frazier turned in the key performance on offense, the offensive MVP in the minds of some after an 11-carry, 83-yard performance that included a 40-yard burst.
Frazier, a 5-star signee who didn’t arrive at UGA until after spring drills, had seven of his carries for 63 yards in the second half after the Bulldogs managed just 34 yards rushing in the first two quarters.
Georgia needed the stepped-up effort with Trevor Etienne suspended, Rod Robinson dealing with turf toe and Branson Robinson appearing tentative in his first game back from the knee injury he suffered in fall camp last season.
Outlook: Frazier should continue to get a decent amount of work next week against Tennessee Tech as Georgia builds depth. It’s a long season, and as the explosive freshman grows he’ll factor more into the offense.
Sophomore Vanderbilt transfer receiver London Humphreys came on in relief of a cramping Dillon Bell — and led the team with 63 yards — including a team-high 43 yards after the catch — along with the longest catch by either team (40 yards).
Outlook: Humphreys’ performance on his seven offensive snaps should earn him more snaps in the receiver rotation — he was the highest graded offensive player, per PFF — and provide more opportunities to keep Bell fresh as the season wears on.
Senior Miami transfer Colbie Young was limited in practice all week, yet he came up with the first touchdown of the game, reeling in a 7-yard TD pass that put the Bulldogs up 13-0 on UGA’s opening drive of the second half.
Young had been dealing with a hamstring and was limited in practice, so the prospects for his game action against Tennessee Tech are questionable.
Outlook: Young will be a popular Red Zone target all season and is expected to grow into more.
Freshman safety KJ Bolden needed only one play to show he can man up at the highest level, taking down 230-pound Clemson back Phil Mafah in the open field with a beautiful form tackle that had to make Smart swell with pride.
Outlook: Bolden is a dynamic player with a high ceiling — one of the 11 most athletic players on defense — who could get a good amount of work against Tennessee Tech. Bolden’s ability to be assignment sound will determine his playing time.
Worth noting:
Freshman defensive tackle Jordan Thomas (6-5, 315) played only eight snaps, but it would be surprising if he didn’t get more work against Tennessee Tech after starters Warren Brinson and Nazir Stackhouse left the Clemson game with injuries.
Outlook: Thomas needs to be able to provide some quality snaps with UGA literally hurting on the interior defensive line, even with Christen Miller stepping up and playing well on his 29 snaps, and Jamaal Jarrett showing his capabilities on the 8 defensive snaps he was in on.