UGA’s championship push will be led by its veterans

Georgia football fans crave a national championship, and this season might be the year their wait comes to an end. However, the first step toward making that happen is for UGA coach Kirby Smart to lead the Bulldogs to a third-straight SEC East title. With that in mind, DawgNation is proud to present — in partnership with Georgia’s Own Credit Union — the “Own the East” series. A season preview content series focused on what it will take for UGA to dominate the division once again, and possibly return to the College Football Playoff.

Georgia has arguably never been more talented than it is this season, and some of that talent is young. However, the true catalysts for the Bulldogs’ pursuit of a national championship will be the players who’ve been around UGA for a while.

Some of those are seniors — such as safety J.R. Reed, linebacker Tae Crowder and running back Brian Herrien. A couple of offensive linemen — Solomon Kindley and Ben Cleveland — are redshirt juniors and will be key leaders as well.

Many of of the others are from the 2017 class.

On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Jake Fromm, left tackle Andrew Thomas, running back D’Andre Swift and others have been fan favorites for a number of years, and — despite the fact there’s great anticipation to see the debuts of players such as redshirt freshman running back Zamir White and freshman wide receiver George Pickens — the newcomers are likely to only complement the true nucleus of the team.

Defense is much the same way.

From the 2017 class, linebacker Monty Rice could be ready to take a big step forward with his career after battling injuries at the end of last season. Cornerback Eric Stokes seems to have found a home at cornerback and safety Richard LeCounte might be ready to break out too.

In the latest edition of Own the East — DawgNation’s season preview video series (linked above), former UGA All-American Jon Stinchcomb says UGA fans should enjoy the season and the performances that are to come from the veteran players.

Previous Own the East season preview stories:

Heisman candidates Jake Fromm, D’Andre Swift could be UGA championship catalyst

Don’t count out Brian Herrien in battle to become UGA’s next 1,000-yard rusher

Richard LeCounte is arguably one of college football’s most underrated players

Fans have high hopes for UGA’s latest collection of elite recruits

Combination of returning talent, touted newcomers should improve UGA’s ‘Havoc Rate’

Jake Fromm working to gain chemistry with new WRs

UGA’s lauded offensive line still has areas in which it can improve

Zamir White, already part of ‘RBU’ family, could soon add to its legacy

QB depth could be crucial component of UGA’s championship chase

UGA’s No. 1-rated 2018 class still offers potential breakout stars

Former UGA great doesn’t see realistic threat to Bulldogs in SEC East