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Predicting Georgia football 70-man travel roster against Arkansas

Georgia will play its first game of the season on Saturday when it travels to the Arkansas Razorbacks. The game is set for a 4 p.m. kickoff on the SEC Network.

Because this game is an in-conference road game, the Bulldogs will only be allowed to bring 70 players. So we took a stab at naming who those 70 might be using some of the intel we’ve gathered over the past couple of weeks.

It should also be noted of the possibility that this travel roster is impacted due to COVID-19 testing protocol and possible close-contact tracing as well. The Georgia football team has not made public its positive tests or testing data. Players will be tested on Friday before traveling to Arkansas.

Quarterback: JT Daniels, D’Wan Mathis, Carson Beck, Stetson Bennett(4)

Analysis: Obviously this is dependent on Daniels being cleared and healthy to play. Kirby Smart stated on Wednesday that Daniels had not yet been cleared but that Bulldogs were still hopeful that Daniels would be. If that is not the case, Stetson Bennett would be the lone quarterback with game experience, which is why he makes the trip. Mathis is still expected to start for the Bulldogs at this moment.

Related: D’Wan Mathis, a Georgia football comeback story like no other

Running back: Zamir White, James Cook, Kenny McIntosh, Kendall Milton, Daijun Edwards (5)

Analysis: Last season Georgia traveled with all five running backs, but McIntosh was the only freshman. Edwards and Milton would likely need to be factors on special teams if they are to see the field. Look for White and Cook to be focal points of the Georgia offense this season.

Wide receiver: George Pickens, Demetris Robertson, Kearis Jackson, Matt Landers, Jermaine Burton, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, Justin Robinson, Makyia Tongue, Tommy Bush (9)

Analysis: Some of the names on this list are obvious, such as Pickens, Robertson and Jackson. Some of the freshmen as well make sense in Burton, Rosemy-Jacksaint and Robinson, especially when this game might be a blow-out and a chance for them to earn early playing time. A big name missing here is Arian Smith, as the 4-star receiver is still recovering from offseason meniscus surgery.

Tight end: John FitzPatrick, Darnell Washington, Ryland Goede (3)

Analysis: With Tre McKitty described as doubtful early in the week, it doesn’t make much sense to bring him if the injury is going to prevent him from playing. Look for FitzPatrick to get the start at tight end in his absence.

Related: 3 things from Kirby Smart: offensive identity, defense snubbed, injury update

Offensive line: Jamaree Salyer, Justin Shaffer, Trey Hill, Ben Cleveland, Owen Condon, Warren Ericson, Clay Webb, Warren McClendon, Xavier Truss, Tate Ratledge (10)

Analysis: The first five names here figure to be the starting five from left tackle to right tackle. Ericson is a solid sixth man. Webb has had a positive offseason as well. Given the depth this group has it means some hard decisions will have to be made and it might mean someone like 5-star freshman tackle Broderick Jones doesn’t make the trip. We went with Ratledge for the last spot as he’s gotten the most positive buzz.

Defensive line: Jordan Davis, Julian Rochester, Devonte Wyatt, Malik Herring, Travon Walker, Jalen Carter, Tramel Walthour, Bill Norton, Nazir Stackhouse, Tymon Mitchell (10)

Analysis: The first six are a strong top end of a defensive line rotation. But after that, it gets a little dicey. This where Georgia losing five defensive linemen from the 2019 team will have an impact as the depth just isn’t what it used to be.

Related: Travon Walker praises Georgia football DL Jalen Carter: ‘The sky is the limit for him’

Outside linebacker: Azeez Ojulari, Nolan Smith, Jermaine Johnson, Adam Anderson, Walter Grant, MJ Sherman(6)

Analysis: A strong group from top to bottom, especially when you have a guy like Grant whose started a lot of games for Georgia fighting for playing time. What you also have here is guys who can play and contribute on special teams. Look for Sherman to make his mark there.

Related: Nolan Smith on Georgia pass rush: ‘We’re gonna cause a lot of havoc’

Inside linebacker: Monty Rice, Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker, Channing Tindall, Trezmen Marshall, Nate McBride (6)

Analysis: A lot of returning talent with this group, with Dean moving into a starting role. Tindall figures to get a few more snaps as a part of the rotation this year as well with tea Crowder playing for the New York Giants. Marshall and McBride will fill key roles on special teams.

Related: Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean ‘sets the tone’ for Bulldogs defense

Defensive backs: Richard LeCounte, Lewis Cine, Eric Stokes, Tyson Campbell, DJ Daniel, Tyrique Stevenson, Mark Webb, Christopher Smith, Latavious Brini, Ameer Speed, Jalen Kimber, Major Burns, Prather Hudson (13)

Analysis: The most from any single position group on the team. This might be the deepest and most talented group that UGA has. You also have a number of special teams standouts, including Prather Hudson, who moved from running back to defensive back.

Specialists: Jake Camarda, Jack Podlesny, Jared Zirkel, Payne Walker (4)

Analysis: Camarda will be the punter for the Bulldogs and Walker will hold snapping duties. As for placekicking and kickoffs, it’s been a tight battle between the incoming freshman Zirkel and Podlesny, who has actually had a better camp according to Smart.

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