How Did Some of Georgia's Key Players Develop Over the Summer

The summer offseason is a time to physically grow your body as a football player. Georgia had some key players understand this notion.

The summer offseason is a time to physically grow as a football player and develop your body for the role you will be playing leading up to the next season. Georgia has a few key players who grew their bodies over the summer to be better on the field for this upcoming season. 

TE, Oscar Delp

Oscar Delp has a huge season ahead of him. The sophomore spent most of his freshman season playing behind Brock Bowers and Darnell Washington. But his freshman season was well spent, gaining lots of mental reps, learning the playbook better, and receiving playing time in critical games like the game against Ohio State. Most importantly, he knew how the second-string TE would be used when Bowers wasn't in. The 6' 5" TE added 20 pounds this offseason, going from 225 to 245. A noticeable size difference will help improve his ability in the blocking game and fighting off defenders, as Washington did the past two seasons before being drafted. 

UGA DB, Julian Humphrey

As noted in Dawgs Daily's practice notes from day one of Georgia's camp, CB Julian Humphrey looks physically bigger at cornerback. Someone else needs to step into that role on the field, especially on the opposite side of Lassiter when he is on the field. Humphrey has the chance to do this. Being a bigger CB isn't as bad as it may seem. It gives you an advantage when playing against physical WRs who use their body to move you off their routes. 

UGA DB, Tykee Smith

Tykee Smith is a player who Dawgs fans were hoping for a lot out of, being a transfer All-American from West Virginia. Unfortunately, Smith has been sidelined for a long time due to injuries, mainly the tearing of his ACL during the 2023 season. Smith is out of his knee brace, meaning he's back to 100% health. He sure was showing it off during the secondary's individual drills, jumping out of the gym during their interception drill. Smith could be due for a major bounce-back season in 2023. 

DB, Malaki Starks 

Malaki Starks is another player who is looking physically bigger in his pads on day one of Georgia's camp. Starks is listed at 205 in both his freshman and sophomore profiles on the UGA Athletic page, but that is to be taken with a grain of salt because coaches can send in whatever weight they want to be posted if a player isn't where they want them to be. In this case, Starks looks the 205. He is noticeable filling out his jersey more compared to last season, but withmuscle and not bad weight. Starks, who is already considered one of the best safeties in all of college football, will lead the back-end of Georgia's secondary as they are on the quest for their third straight national title. 

The Bulldogs will continue fall camp all the way until week one of the 2023 season. Expect for more big news to come from Athens, GA throughout camp. Expect for some big roles to be played by these players this coming season.