We know Georgia’s often over-valued during the preseason with such lofty expectations, but 2015 is different.

There’s legitimate reason to be excited in Athens this season.

Comparative to the 2012 Eastern Division championship team and 2007 squad that annihilated Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl, this year’s group is near the top among the most talented teams Mark Richt has had since his last SEC Championship at Georgia.

There’s four returning starters along the offensive line, a plethora of playmakers in the backfield and at least five all-league level prospects on Jeremy Pruitt’s aggressive defense, a unit that is more mature and responsive in Year 2.

No team’s without flaws in the SEC, but the Bulldogs appear to have the fewest post-spring:

STRENGTHS

  • Depth at linebacker: Georgia’s position of dominance during spring practice was at linebacker, a disruptive group that provided constant headaches up front for first-year offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. Particularly at the outside spots, Jeremy Pruitt has an abundance of talent in the middle of his defense, highlighted by — but not limited to — Leonard Floyd, Jordan Jenkins and Lorenzo Carter. Floyd’s a potential Top 15 selection on the outside while Carter has the frame (and speed) of Jadeveon Clowney off the edge. Jenkins is the all-round most reliable, a senior who will be the Bulldogs’ leading tackler this fall. Part of Pruitt’s challenge will be getting all three players on the field at the same time. Carter’s impact plays-per snap ratio was a team-best last season as he became one of the league’s stars on defense over the second half of his freshman campaign. Inside linebacker Natrez Patrick will see lots of action after an impressive spring and could be one of the SEC’s top newcomers. Despite losing a total of 225 stops between Amarlo Herrera and Ramik Wilson, Georgia will be fine on the inside with Reggie Carter and the blossoming Tim Kimbrough, both juniors.
  • Star-studded backfield: Even without Sony Michel, Keith Marshall and a reduced workload for Heisman hopeful Nick Chubb, the Bulldogs’ ground game flourished behind a veteran-heavy offensive line over 15 spring practices. One of Georgia’s unofficial spring MVPs was redshirt sophomore A.J. Turman, a former four-star signee out of Orlando, Fla., who missed last season with a foot injury. Tough between the tackles, Turman led the team in rushing during multiple scrimmages. He’s on par with junior Brendan Douglas as a third-team option behind scatbacks Michel and Marshall. It’s difficult to fathom, but Georgia’s backfield could be better this season without Todd Gurley. There’s more balance and less stress on a featured back.
  • Two solid options at quarterback: Some may deem not having a starting quarterback exiting spring as a weakness, but I think it shows the overall depth the Bulldogs possess at the position. There’s not much, if any, separation at the top between Brice Ramsey and Faton Bauta, a luxury most teams in the SEC do not have under center. The drop-off between first and second-team quarterbacks is often noticeable, but these two have made it incredibly tough on Mark Richt and play-caller Schottenheimer. Ramsey is the frontrunner heading into August as the more experienced player, but Bauta’s skill set is just as vast and he’s capable of leading the Bulldogs as well.

WEAKNESSES

  • Potential problem area at center: Richt’s not pressing the panic button on sophomore Isaiah Wynn just yet, but sporadic play during the spring game for the offense’s projected starter at the most important position up front has opened the door and garnered reps for Brandon Kublanow and senior Hunter Long. Kublanow’s more natural add guard, but the Bulldogs need depth and an emergency option if Wynn can’t get the snaps down. The Bulldogs will certainly feel the impact of multi-year starter David Andrews’ absence early, but they’re hoping Wynn establishes some confidence at the position and handles the task he’s been assigned.
  • Inconsistency at wideout: Projected No. 1 Malcolm Mitchell must stay healthy and Justin Scott-Wesley needs to return to 2013 form to consider Georgia one of the SEC’s primary threats on the outside next season. If that doesn’t happen, the run game will have to suffice. Promising special teamer Isaiah McKenzie shined at receiver this spring, highlighted by a 72-yard touchdown grab on G-Day. He’s another injury-liability however and is still developing an all-around game. The Bulldogs are depleted at the position following the exit of Chris Conley and Michael Bennett and it showed as a unit over 15 practices. Reggie Davis and Jonathan Rumph will be counted on to perform. Davis has elite speed and Rumph, a JUCO transfer, caught two touchdown passes during the spring game.