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Graduations, early departures to the NFL and natural attrition are a way of life at Georgia and every other SEC school, but some losses sting worse than others.
It’s not uncommon that the guys the hardest to replace weren’t always the ones who scored the most touchdowns or dominated the highlight reels. The loss of other intangibles, such as leadership, character and attitude can be just as detrimental to a football team.
Here’s a look at the five guys that Georgia will have the toughest time replacing.
1. WR Malcolm Mitchell: Was the go-to guy for the Dawgs’ passing attack, tallying 58 receptions for 865 yards and five touchdowns. His 169 career catches rank third in school annals, while his 2,236 yards receiving stands seventh. But it was Mitchell’s tireless work ethic and sterling leadership by example that will be missed as much as his sure hands.
2. OLB Jordan Jenkins: The pass-rushing specialists added 59 tackles, 12 quarterback hurries, 10.5 stops for loss and two forced fumbles to his four sacks to pace a tenacious Georgia defense. His steadfast professionalism accounted for his steady play over his career.
3. OT John Theus: The first-team All-SEC pick made 47 career starts to anchor a line that paved the way for an effective running game. Theus’ willingness to play either tackle spot for the sake of the team gave Georgia coaches added flexibility.
4. FB Quayvon Hicks: Playing fullback in the I-formation means that you handle the bulk of the dirty work, namely violent collisions with opposing linebackers with little to no fanfare. Sacrificing your body on each play and any chance at stardom was a must, but that’s just what the team-first Hicks did as the lead blocker for Georgia’s tailback-oriented running game.
5. OLB Leonard Floyd: A tremendous athlete with the ability to rush the passer or cover a receiver downfield with equal aplomb, Floyd is headed to the NFL after his junior year. Finding anybody else boasting anywhere near as much big-play ability or versatility will be a major challenge.
John Hollis is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Georgia and Florida.
