16 college football greats who’d lead their former team to the 2017 title
By Zach Bigalke
Pollsters seem highest on Georgia coming out of the SEC East this year. The Bulldogs return all but one of their defensive starters from last season. That group already was a top-20 unit in 2016 and could dominate in the upcoming campaign. That leaves questions mainly about who could help transform a Georgia offense that ranked 102nd in points scored.
Jacob Eason is back as quarterback, and he will be pushed by freshman Jake Fromm. It would be tempting for Kirby Smart to bring back Matthew Stafford, David Greene, or other Bulldog greats at QB. But Eason’s struggles in 2016 were due in large part to lacking a real playmaker in the passing game. Top receiver Isaiah McKenzie led the team with just 633 receiving yards last year, and is now gone to the NFL.
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If he could pick one Georgia great to transform his offense, A.J. Green would provide an instant jolt. Green scored 23 touchdowns with the Bulldogs and averaged nearly two more yards per reception than anyone on the team with at least 20 receptions last year. The fourth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Green has made the Pro Bowl every year since going pro. With Green, Georgia’s offense would be as title ready as its defense.