Who Will Step in for Georgia's Opt-Outs?

Several Georgia players are opting out of the upcoming bowl game, opening the door for backups to step up and claim starting jobs for 2021.

With Georgia football’s game against Vanderbilt canceled, the Bulldogs begin to prepare for their bowl game.

With that underway, the juniors and seniors must make tough decisions about their future. Today it’s normal for players to forego playing in bowl games so they can begin preparing for the NFL Draft and prevent injuries.

Upperclassmen opting out opens spots for younger players. Bowl games become the first step for backups to claim a starting job. Georgia will have plenty of backups vying for those spots through the upcoming bowl season.

Players Expected to Miss

Eric Stokes, cornerback – Junior
Richard LeCounte, safety – Senior
DJ Daniel, cornerback – Senior
Monty Rice, linebacker – Senior
Trey Hill, center – Junior
Mark Webb, star – Senior
Tre' McKitty, tight end – Graduate Student
Ben Cleveland, right guard – Senior 

None of these individuals have made an official statement, but they are players Dawgs Daily on SI.com has learned that are expected to miss the bowl game. 

Who fills in?

Offense: With Cleveland and Hill foregoing the bowl game, several young players will get playing time on the offensive line. Warren Ericson could fill in at both guard or center, Clay Webb could slide in at guard and freshman Sedrick Van Pran can be inserted at center.

Defense: With four defensive backs choosing to opt out, there will be a lot of playing time up for grabs for younger players. Sophomore Tyrique Stevenson already gets a good bit of playing time because he can be inserted as a cornerback, safety and as the STAR.

However, several do not get as much playing time as Stevenson and they will get the chance to show everyone what they can do. That includes freshman Major Burns, junior Ameer Speed and junior Christopher Smith, who has been filling in for the injured LeCounte.

With Rice foregoing the bowl game, junior Quay Walker will take over as he has when Rice has missed some time due to injury this season.