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Numbers can be twisted into saying almost anything, but sometimes they do indeed speak volumes.
There are a few statistics that tell us what we can expect this year. Very telling numbers such as fumbles forced, tackles for loss and others.
Let’s take a look at some of them and tell you whose names you might want to keep an eye on.
AND THE HEISMAN GOES TO — RB NICK CHUBB
Sophomore tailback Nick Chubb was an absolute beast last year while playing in place of the suspended and then injured Todd Gurley. He rushed for 1,547 yards and 14 touchdowns, registering at least 100 yards in eight games and at least 200 in two to earn first-team All-SEC honors and cement himself into early Heisman Trophy consideration.
He’s already being likened to some guy named Herschel. Georgia fans can’t wait to see Chubb’s encore.
FOLLOWING THE BALL — LB JORDAN JENKINS
Sacks can be another overrated statistic because some players are situational players who can only do one thing well. Not so with Georgia senior linebacker Jordan Jenkins. In addition to his five sacks, he tallied 23 quarterback hurries, 9.5 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries.
Jenkins was simply never far behind wherever the ball was.
BALL HAWK IN THE SECONDARY — SS QUINCY MAUGER
Interceptions are another one of those statistics that can often be misleading because they fail to tell the whole story such as when opponents intentionally stay away from the opposing team’s best defensive backs. But quick look at last year’s stats and it’s readily apparent that Georgia senior strong safety Quincy Mauger has a strong nose for the ball that runs considerably deeper than managing interceptions.
In addition to his four interceptions that matched a team high, he recorded four pass breakups and two quarterback hurries. His 51 tackles ranked sixth on the team last fall and included 34 solo stops.
Mauger is now one of the leaders of the Georgia secondary and will be counted on for similar production this fall.
UNAPPRECIATED – FB QUAYVON HICKS
Playing fullback at Georgia means that it’s unlikely you’ll boast the gaudy statistics that propel you into a national prominence or be a regular in oft-repeated TV highlights.
They don’t keep stats that measure the high number of violent collisions Bulldogs senior fullback Quayvon Hicks will gladly endure this season. They don’t have a tangible way to measure the amount of sacrifice Hicks and the team’s other fullbacks will make in consistently picking up blitzing linebackers and giving their body with little chance of the fame and glory that will follow Chubb and the other backs.
It’s the football equivalent to always playing Robin to Chubb’s Batman.
But you can bet Chubb and coach Mark Richt are keenly aware of Hicks’ value even if the statistics don’t show it.
John Hollis is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Georgia and Florida.
