Nothing spoke more of Georgia’s muddled kicking situation than the fact new Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart declared on signing day that it was the kicking game – and not the questions at running back or quarterback – that had him “scared to death.”

It’s been 10 years since the Dawgs entered a season without a scholarship kicker, but that’s the predicament in which they find themselves following the graduation of four-year starter Marshall Morgan.

Finding a dependable replacement for Morgan and snapper and fellow four-year starter Nathan Theus will be critical.

The Dawgs still figure to still be dangerous on special teams with the return of Isaiah McKenzie. Better known as “The Human Joystick” because of his dazzling array of moves, the junior is a home run threat every time he touches the ball.

Keeping him healthy has been a problem, but opponents kick to him at their own risk. Shane Beamer, the son of former Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer, is no stranger to excellent special teams play and hopes to bring that same consistency that has so long been a staple in Blacksburg.

2015 stats

FG-A: 18-27
Longest: 47
Punting average (SEC rank): 40.07 yards (12th)
Kickoff return avg (SEC rank): 18.06 yards (12th)
Kickoff return TDs (SEC rank): 0 (10 SEC teams failed to register a KO return touchdown)
Punt return avg. (SEC rank): 13.13 yards (5th)
Punt return TDs: (SEC rank): 3 (tied with Tennessee for 2nd)
Kickoff/punt return TDs allowed: 1

The Kicker

A former high school All-American, Rodrigo Blankenship arrived on campus last year as a preferred walk-on, but the fact that he didn’t do enough to warrant a scholarship even with Morgan’s pending departure speaks volumes. Now a redshirt freshman, Blankenship booted two field goals in the G-Day Spring Game, including a 46-yarder, and appears to have moved ahead of sophomore William Ham in the race for the starting job.

But doing it on the road at the end of a pressure-filled SEC game is another matter entirely. Blankenship will have to get acclimated quickly because his teammates will need him. He boasts a big leg and could also assume kickoff duties for the Dawgs as well. Blankenship figures to be a definitive asset in this particular role as Morgan struggled at times with kickoffs in 2015, managing touchbacks on just 29 percent of his kicks a year ago.

The Punter

Jilted in his bid to win the starting quarterback job, Brice Ramsey took over the punting duties about midway through last season and performed admirably, averaging 42 yards per kick on 25 attempts, including three efforts of at least 50 yards.

Ramsey, who is again competing in the starting quarterback race, can expect a serious punting challenge as well in August from true freshman Marshall Long, a former high school All-American and Virginia Tech commit. Beamer recruited Long while still at Virginia Tech and his relationship with him was perhaps the biggest reason he came to Athens.

The Returner

McKenzie is an electrifying player capable of taking it to the house every time he touches the ball.

Nov 21, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (16) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Georgia Southern Eagles during the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

He added another pair of punt returns for touchdowns against Vanderbilt and Auburn in 2015, giving him four for his career to rank fifth-best in SEC history.

His five total return touchdowns (four punt returns, one kickoff return) are tied for third-best in league annals.

But keeping McKenzie healthy has proven difficult. He was injured and missed three games and never really fully recovered from a preseason hamstring injury that slowed him all season.

As tempting as it may be to use him on offense, it remains to be seen whether McKenzie is durable enough to pull double duty. He’s of considerably more value to the Dawgs on special teams.

Senior Reggie Davis totaled a team-best 17 kickoff returns for 394 yards (23.2 avg.) last year and returned eight punts back for 110 yards, including a 70-yard scoring scamper at Tennessee.

Cover Teams

Kickoff coverage was a significant Achilles’ heel as Georgia ranked 12th in the SEC in kickoff return coverage, allowing an average of 21.20 yards per return. Part of the problem was Morgan’s inability to consistently drive the ball deep.

His many short kicks allowed opposing teams to set up effective returns. Blankenship, or whoever assumes the kickoff chores, will have to do better so as to allow the Georgia coverage team a better chance at making plays. The Dawgs were just average in punt return coverage, ranking sixth in the SEC at 8.44 yards per return. Ramsey posted some nice punting numbers, but must more often be willing to sacrifice distance for the much-needed hang time necessary for coverage teams to get downfield.

Special Moment

Georgia was deadlocked with Auburn at 10-apiece when McKenzie fielded a punt and raced 53 yards for the critical go-ahead touchdown with 9:28 left in the contest.

Nov 14, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs receiver Isaiah McKenzie (16) celebrates with safety Jarvis Wilson (19) after returning a punt for a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Bulldogs beat the Tigers 20-13. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

The touchdown was McKenzie’s second of the game after rushing for a score earlier in the third quarter and highlighted a run of 17 consecutive points for the Dawgs to fuel a 20-13 win at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The punt return touchdown was McKenzie’s second of the season and the fourth of his career.

One Stat That Must Improve in 2016

For Georgia to contend for the SEC Championship, its kickers must do a better job of driving the ball into the end zone and denying opponents favorable field position with strong returns. The Dawgs ranked a weak 9th in the SEC in 2015 with touchbacks on just 32.86 percent (23) of all kickoffs.

Consider that South Carolina managed touchbacks on nearly 72 percent of its kicks last year to pace the SEC.

The short kicks allow for too many returns and make Georgia vulnerable to more big plays by opponents. The Dawgs aren’t good enough to consistently put themselves in that kind of hole and think they can escape from it every week.

Better/Worse in 2016

A healthy McKenzie will be the key to how Georgia’s special teams are judged by the end of the season. Don’t be surprised if McKenzie plays less offense this season than in years past because he’s too valuable a commodity to have sitting injured along the sidelines. The Dawgs have enough athletes who can catch balls, but few can make the kind of scintillating special teams plays of which McKenzie is capable. Blankenship is unproven at kicker, but will have to develop in a hurry.