Georgia football Mike Griffith Offense storylines

ATHENS — The Georgia offense will have to step up for the program to repeat as national champions after the 2021 team was predicated on its elite defense.

Quarterback Stetson Bennett takes center stage to start the season and will be vital to the team’s success with his ability to make sound decisions and protect the football.

All of the other key pieces on offense are in place, and yet, there are deeper storylines in each position group.

QUARTERBACK

Next man up

Bennett is expected to show modest improvement, but recent history indicates the backup position is just as important under Coach Kirby Smart, and that makes Carson Beck a storyline.

Jake Fromm (2018-19) is the only UGA quarterback to open and close a season as the starter under Smart on account of the high-risk nature of the position and the head coach’s willingness to change signal callers.

Bennett is the unquestioned starter and a clear personal favorite of Smart’s, but Beck is entering his third season and is well-versed in the offense, also showing athleticism and a live arm in the spring game.

RUNNING BACK

Work distribution

Kenny McIntosh and Kendall Milton are ready to put on a show on the field after proving their entertainment value off the field via their KM2 production on DawgNation last summer.

McIntosh is the most polished receiver in the backfield and has displayed great vision and cut-back ability, along with burst and home run speed.

Milton runs with great power and leverage and has been the most underutilized offensive weapon the past two seasons. Having improved his pass-catching ability, it’s possible he and McIntosh hit 1,000 yards from scrimmage.

Daijun Edwards is the most underrated offensive weapon and should be in line for more work, quite possibly in short yardage or goal line. Newcomers Andrew Paul and Branson Robinson have much to learn but should see spot work in games and could earn special teams duties.

Receiver/Tight end

X-factors

Georgia football starts with the run game, but when the Dawgs throw it’s with purpose, and there are plenty of strong options to choose from.

Freshman tight end Brock Bowers will be on everyone’s film study and will be a point of emphasis for opponents, which is why LSU transfer Arik Gilbert is X-Factor 1.

OC Todd Monken also likes for Stetson Bennett to throw deep off play-action, and that makes burner Arian Smith X-Factor 2 (37.6 yards per catch!) if he can stay healthy enough to get through a season.

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Offensive Line

Amarius Mims

Talent alone isn’t enough to make it into the starting Georgia offensive line, which has ranked among the most elite in college football since Smart’s hire.

The 6-foot-7, 330-pound Mims is the latest — but certainly not first — example of such as he enters his second season. Mims should earn snaps this season, and like fellow 5-star Broderick Jones, ultimately find himself among top NFL draft prospects.

Mims put himself in the spotlight last spring when he exited drills to take an impromptu visit to Florida State, looking to see if the grass was greener. Back with the team, Mims will surely want to show he’s all in and all he has been made out to be.