Arik Gilbert might have been a need for Georgia football, but he didn’t need a tight end room

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Arik Gilbert might have been a need for Georgia football, but he didn’t need a tight end room

Florida has always made a lot more sense as a possible destination for Arik Gilbert than Georgia. Kyle Pitts was a destructive force for Florida last season. The Gators are also losing their top three pass catchers this offseason. Florida can really present him in their attack next season.

Georgia couldn’t realistically do this. Not with George Pickens coming back to wide receiver. Or both Zamir White and James Cook return to the running back. There’s only one ball to go and JT Daniels and Todd Monken were going to have enough trouble satisfying all of Georgia’s talents in 2021.

This is what made Gilbert’s decision to move to Florida the rational one. He announced the move on Sunday. And while Georgia seemed like a possible landing point due to reports Gilbert would be ill at home at LSU, the adaptation on the pitch was questionable to say the least.

Related: Former 5-star tight winger Arik Gilbert announces move to Florida

Georgia didn’t make the most of tight ends under Kirby Smart. Charlie Woerner was caught in the sixth round of the NFL Draft last season. Tre ‘McKitty looks set to be taken from this year’s class, especially after an outstanding week at the Senior Bowl. In five seasons under Smart, Georgia have yet to catch up to as many assists as the 35 Gilbert captured in freshman.

Woerner and McKitty each had less than 10 takes as seniors in Georgia. Talent was not the problem in Georgia in the tight final position. The problems can be traced to struggling quarterback play and offensive regime change.

In 2021, Monken will be back calling games. Daniels will be back to spread the ball. There is more stability around the offense in Georgia than there has been in some time.

There is also a good bit of talent already at a tight end. Todd Hartley, Georgia’s tight ends coach, has done a great job of developing talent in recent seasons. This is part of the reason Georgia can withstand Gilbert’s blow to Florida. He may have been a need for many, but he wasn’t necessary considering how Georgia have recruited for the position in recent seasons.

This brings us to Darnell Washington. Like Gilbert, he was a 5-star prospect in the 2020 recruiting cycle. Georgia brought him out of Las Vegas. His first season in Georgia was curious, for several reasons.

At 6 foot 7 and 250 pounds, Washington is an obvious mismatch. This was evident in his first varsity game, as he was shooting a 26-yard pass.

Washington then had just one catch in Georgia’s seven games played in October and November.

After Gilbert stepped down and his transfer out of LSU seemed imminent in early December, Washington became a bigger part of the offense. Washington caught three assists against Missouri while shooting a pass interference penalty.

Then he added two more takes against Cincinnati, with one of the takes and runs resembling Darth Vader at the end of Rogue One.

After the Missouri game, Smart made a rather interesting comment on the tight end-use, especially with Gilbert potentially on the move.

“You can never have enough good tight ends in the SEC,” said Smart. “They’re big, they’re athletic, they can catch the ball. There is so much they can do. It’s one of those things that we want as much as we can and we want to give them the ball.

Smart pointed out that Georgia have been trying to find ways to get Washington involved all season after the win and how we can frustrate opposing defenses.

Georgia offensive coordinator and caller Todd Monken shared his thoughts on Washington and how he has developed in his first season.

“Darnell has from the moment I saw him you can definitely see the benefits of a tall, athletic, tough young man,” Monken said before the Peach Bowl. “You can just see it. What can be his advantage as a raw player. And, to boot, he’s an awesome kid. He’s a great kid. Always smiling. I have a great disposition about it.

Monken acknowledged that McKitty and junior John FitzPatrick were ahead of Washington on the depth map, which played a role in his development.

Because of their presence, Georgia did not feel the need to ask Washington to do it too soon. That’s why Washington didn’t produce the same numbers as Gilbert, having caught 35 passes for 368 yards and two touchdowns in just eight games.

Georgia’s offensive coordinator felt more comfortable giving Washington a bigger role in Georgia’s attack at the end of the season.

“As he progressed and we got more and more comfortable at the quarterback, we obviously tried to involve him a little more in Missouri as the game went on. was progressing, “Washington said.

“I think he has an incredible advantage.”

Washington isn’t the only tight end to the upside, as Georgia adds signatory Brock Bowers to the position in 2021. Bowers was ranked tight No.3 in the 2021 recruiting cycle and is already at the Georgia campus where he made a quick impression in winter practice. He joins FitzPatrick, Ryland Goede and Brett Seither to take Georgia’s place for next season.

Washington is now in the center of Georgia’s position in 2021. It may not produce the same statistical numbers as Pitts or Gilbert, but there is a realistic chance it will be more productive in year two than tight ends. from Georgia in recent seasons.

Gilbert can continue to have a successful career in Florida. It won’t help that the Bulldogs now see him on an annual basis, if his transfer waiver is approved by the NCAA and the SEC. But for the 2021 team, which has more pressing needs in high school, it was a luxury item.

With Washington and the rest of Georgia’s talent, the Bulldogs have more than enough potential in the room. All he has to do is convert some of that potential and talent into production.

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