No. 3 Georgia made a statement on Saturday night with a 49-3 win over No. 11 Oregon in Atlanta.
The Bulldogs debuted a new-look defense that reeled in two interceptions while allowing only 313 yards.
Offensively, Georgia was unstoppable.The Bulldogs punted only once on a seven-touchdown night.
Here’s the Dawgs who’s stock is rising after a huge Week-1 win.
1 ) CB Kamari Lassiter Sophomore cornerback Kamari Lassiter’s stats on Saturday don’t jump off of the page, but the first-year starter showed why the coaching staff has trust in the young defender.
1 ) CB Kamari Lassiter Lassiter was rarely thrown at by Oregon, and was an efficient tackler in open space, racking up three stops on the night.
2) WR Adonai Mitchell Sophomore receiver Adonai ‘A.D.’ Mitchell showed he has much more to offer following the huge touchdown grab versus Alabama in the national title game.
2) WR Adonai Mitchell Mitchell got the start versus Oregon at the ‘X’ position and caught four passes for 65 yards and a score. https://twitter.com/HighSchoolBlitz/status/1566519412580032518?s=20&t=6LexPYwQh5d6qbk78C9ATQ
2) WR Adonai Mitchell Mitchell isn’t on the field just for his receiving ability either. https://twitter.com/HighSchoolBlitz/status/1566519412580032518?s=20&t=6LexPYwQh5d6qbk78C9ATQ
3) EDGE Mykel Williams One of the biggest surprises on Georgia’s new-look defense was freshman Mykel Willaims, who got the start opposite of Nolan Smith on the EDGE.
3) EDGE Mykel Williams The former five-star impressed during fall camp, but we didn’t expect Williams to get the start versus Oregon over super-senior Robert Beal Jr., who led the team in sacks a year ago.
3) EDGE Mykel Williams Big things ahead for Williams, who has been compared to 2022 NFL No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker by his teammates.
4) WR Ladd McConkey Redshirt sophomore receiver Ladd McConkey picked up right where he left off last year.
4) WR Ladd McConkey McConkey’s quickness and route-running ability was a show versus the Ducks. The slot receiver racked up 73 yards on five catches and added 16 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
5) LB Smael Mondon Another young Dawg who got his first start on the UGA defense was sophomore linebacker Smael Mondon.
5) LB Smael Mondon The former five-star looked decisive in coverage and didn’t miss a tackle, recording three stops on the night.
6) TE Darnell Washington Not taking away anything from preseason All-American Brock Bowers, but Darnell Washington put on a show at tight end on Saturday.
6) TE Darnell Washington Keep impressing with elite blocking ability with plays like these and Washington may find himself going in the first-round of the 2023 draft.
7) S Christopher Smith Senior safety Christopher Smith was named SEC Co-Defensive Payer of the Week for his performance versus the Ducks.
7) S Christopher Smith Smith racked up six tackles, a tackle for loss and an interception, which should land UGA’s defensive leader on NFL scout’s radar if he wasn’t already.
8) QB Stetson Bennett Stetson ‘The Mailman’ Bennett had perhaps his best game as a Georgia Bulldog against the Ducks, earning Walter Camp Football Foundation’s National Offensive Player of the Week honors.
8) QB Stetson Bennett Bennett completed 25 of 31 passes for 368 yards with three touchdowns and recorded another on the ground.
8) QB Stetson Bennett The super-senior has been lights out since the playoffs in 2021.
9) S Malaki Starks True freshman safety Malaki Starks was far and away the biggest surprise in the season opener.
9) S Malaki Starks Starks led the team in tackles and reeled in his first career interception on this incredible play.