Georgia Football: Derion Kendrick, Arik Gilbert push Bulldogs to top of SEC

Unexpectedly, Tuesday was a huge day for Kirby Smart and Georgia football.

Not only was it the end of the dead period, but the two biggest players in the transfer portal, Clemson defensive back Derion Kendrick and LSU tight end Arik Gilbert, decided that they would take their talents to Athens and play for the Bulldogs.

This is massive not only because these two players were the two best in the portal, but because they fill massive needs for Georgia.

What Gilbert and Kendrick bring to Georgia football

Georgia lost star receiver George Pickens to a knee injury in the spring and had some uncertainty at the position. While he is listed as a tight end, Gilbert has some similarities to Kyle Pitts, in that he can line up on the outside at receiver and as a tight end. He is one of the highest-rated recruits at his position ever and has immense athletic upside and placing him next to a similar player in Darnell Washington will make this Bulldog offense scary good.

Georgia lost three starters in the secondary and that was the top issue for them heading into the spring. The addition of Kendrick along with some other transfers makes this secondary more talented and experienced. What makes this addition interesting is that Georgia’s first game will come against Kendrick’s former team, Clemson. Kendrick will start instantly and turn the secondary from a question mark into a strength.

The question that is on the minds of Georgia football fans is: are these guys going to help get the team over the hump and beat Alabama? I think they can.

Alabama is the most talented team in the country, but Georgia has recruited to a similar level since Smart took over and the Bulldogs have the more experienced team heading into the year.

With all of the new starters for the Crimson Tide and the additions of Kendrick and Gilbert to the roster, the time is now for Georgia to take the next step and take down Alabama to get back to the College Football Playoff.