The Georgia Bulldogs have long been a powerhouse in college football, consistently producing elite talent that dominates both the collegiate and professional levels. This year is no different, as ESPN’s preseason All-American team features four Bulldogs, a testament to the program’s continued excellence. However, only one of those players—star offensive tackle **Amarius Mims**—earned a first-team nod, while the other three landed on the second team. This breakdown raises interesting questions about Georgia’s roster composition, the strength of other programs, and whether the Bulldogs are being slightly undervalued heading into the 2023 season.
### **Georgia’s Preseason All-Americans**
The four Bulldogs recognized by ESPN are:
1. **Amarius Mims (OT) – First Team**
2. **Brock Bowers (TE) – Second Team**
3. **Javon Bullard (S) – Second Team**
4. **Malaki Starks (S) – Second Team**
Mims, a towering 6’7″, 330-pound junior, is widely regarded as one of the best offensive linemen in the country. After playing a key role in Georgia’s back-to-back national championships, he now steps into a full-time starting role following the departure of Broderick Jones to the NFL. Mims’ combination of size, athleticism, and technique makes him a likely first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and his first-team selection is well-deserved.
The more surprising aspect of ESPN’s list is that **Brock Bowers**, arguably the best tight end in college football, was placed on the **second team** behind Notre Dame’s **Michael Mayer**. Bowers has been a dominant force since his freshman year, amassing 1,824 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns in two seasons. Many analysts consider him not just the top tight end but one of the best overall players in the nation. His second-team placement suggests that ESPN’s voters either heavily weighed Mayer’s experience or believe Bowers’ production might dip slightly with a new quarterback under center.
In the secondary, Georgia boasts two of the best safeties in the country—**Javon Bullard** and **Malaki Starks**—yet both were relegated to the second team. Starks, a sophomore, was a breakout star in 2022, showcasing elite range and ball skills. Bullard, meanwhile, was the defensive MVP of the College Football Playoff National Championship after a stellar performance against TCU. Their exclusion from the first team indicates that other defensive backs, such as Alabama’s **Kool-Aid McKinstry** and Miami’s **Kamren Kinchens**, were viewed more favorably in the preseason evaluation.
### **Why Only One First-Teamer?**
The fact that Georgia, a team expected to compete for a third straight national title, only has one first-team All-American raises a few key points:
1. **Talent Distribution Across Positions** – While Georgia has elite players, some of their best talents (like Bowers) play positions where other superstars (Mayer, USC’s Caleb Williams, Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr.) also dominate. The competition at tight end and defensive back is particularly fierce.
2. **New Quarterback Uncertainty** – With Stetson Bennett gone, Georgia is breaking in a new starting QB (likely Carson Beck). This may have led some voters to assume that Bowers’ production could decrease slightly, impacting his first-team chances.
3. **Defensive Scheme Over Individual Stars** – Georgia’s defense is known for its collective strength rather than relying on one or two superstars. While Bullard and Starks are excellent, they may not have the same highlight-reel stats as players from more aggressive defensive systems.
4. **Preseason Bias Toward Established Names** – Voters often lean toward players with longer track records. Mims has been a standout when healthy, but Bowers, Bullard, and Starks are still relatively young in terms of national recognition.
### **How This Motivates the Bulldogs**
Kirby Smart has built Georgia’s culture on proving doubters wrong, and this preseason snub could serve as fuel. Bowers, in particular, has the talent to make ESPN’s second-team selection look foolish by midseason. If he continues his dominant play with a new quarterback, he could easily surpass Mayer as the undisputed top tight end.
Similarly, Georgia’s secondary has a chance to establish itself as the best in the nation. If Bullard and Starks deliver another championship-level season, they could force their way into first-team consideration by year’s end.
### **Conclusion**
While having four players on ESPN’s preseason All-American team is a sign of Georgia’s depth and talent, the fact that only one made the first team suggests that the Bulldogs might be flying slightly under the radar compared to other elite programs like Alabama, Ohio State, and Michigan. However, if recent history has shown us anything, it’s that Georgia thrives when doubted.
By the end of the season, we could see multiple Bulldogs making a push for first-team honors—especially if they lead Georgia to yet another national title. For now, though, the Dawgs will have to settle for being the most well-rounded team in the country, even if the individual accolades aren’t fully reflecting that—yet.
