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Justin Scott-Wesley came to Georgia with a big-time reputation, as did fellow senior wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell.
Both former four-star recruits have been solid, but hardly spectacular throughout their Bulldogs careers after enduring crushing knee injuries. This fall will be their last chance to show what they can do.
To be fair, no UGA receiver can expect gaudy stats playing within a run-first offense powered by tailback Nick Chubb and an experienced offensive line. But Scott-Wesley, Mitchell and the rest of the Dawgs receiving corps need to be more reliable and always at the ready as opposing teams figure to key on Chubb even more this season.
Scott-Wesley (5-feet-11, 201 pounds) played in just six games in 2014, registering three catches for 52 yards and a touchdown. He started four contests the year before in 2013, only to suffer a torn ACL at Tennessee. Georgia coach Mark Richt and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer were looking forward to counting on Scott-Wesley following the departures of Michael Bennett and Chris Conley from last year’s team.
They still can, but they may just have to wait a little while as Scott-Wesley underwent arthroscopic surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee on July 2.
He is expected to make a full recovery, but school officials have offered no specific timetable for his return. Scott-Wesley has 25 career catches for 498 yards and four touchdowns, but lists just one game of at least 100 yards receiving.
Mitchell (6-feet-1, 195 pounds) likewise is just rounding back into form after tearing an ACL in the 2013 season opener against Clemson. He showed flashes of greatness last year, totaling 31 catches for 248 yards and three scores in eight starts to earn UGA’s Comeback Player of the Year Award.
Both Scott-Wesley and Mitchell will have capable backups behind them in junior Reggie Davis and sophomore Isaiah McKenzie. Speedy freshman Terry Godwin, a five-star recruit, could also figure into the mix. McKenzie (hamstring) and Godwin (shoulder) both are dealing with injuries that don’t seem serious, but are costing them valuable practice time.
McKenzie will help the most in the return game after a dynamic freshman year in which he earned all first-team, All-SEC honors after matching a school record for the most punt returns for a touchdown (2) and the most touchdown returns for a season (3).
He became the first player in Georgia history and only the 12th ever to return both a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns in the same game when he did so against Kentucky.
Godwin (5-feet-11, 174 pounds) was ranked as the No. 1 athlete and the state of Georgia’s No. 4 overall prospect by 247Sports composite index. He was an All-USA first team pick by USA Today in 2014.
Tight end Jeb Blazevich caught 18 passes last year and should surpass that total with new coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. He and Mitchell represent the go-to players in Georgia’s passing game. But whether it’s Scott-Wesley, McKenzie, Godwin or a combination of the three, the Bulldogs need some other production at receiver.
John Hollis is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Georgia and Florida.
