Georgia Football: The Biggest Offseason Storylines for the Bulldogs

With the Georgia Bulldogs getting a win over Penn State in the TaxSlayer Bowl last week, they are now officially in offseason mode. Normally, this part of the offseason is busy because national signing day is less than a month away. But right now it’s even busier in Athens because head coach Kirby Smart is trying to put his coaching staff together while getting ready to lead the Alabama Crimson Tide to a national championship, as he’s their defensive coordinator.

The coaching staff is one of the major storylines for Georgia, but after a season where they finished 10-3 but will likely be out of the top 25, the new coaching staff is just one of the many storylines fans will pay attention to this offseason.

So here’s a look at the biggest offseason storylines for the Bulldogs.

Can the New Coaching Staff Make an Impact in 2016?

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Smart has some big shoes to fill.

Former head coach Mark Richt was not able to lead the Bulldogs to a national title. However, during his 15-year career at Georgia, he compiled a record of 145-51, won two SEC titles, six SEC East titles and won SEC Coach of the Year twice.

Smart has paid his dues and has helped Alabama win three national titles since 2009. So anything less than a national title during his tenure in Athens will be a disappointment.

As for his first season as head coach, he may not be asked to win a national title, but competing for the SEC title is not out of the question. Smart is putting together a strong coaching staff, and the recruiting class is starting to come together. Richt was great for Georgia, but if everything goes according to plan, Smart might be able to get them over the hump when it’s all said and done.

Who Will Win the Starting Quarterback Position

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In order for the Bulldogs to be a contender for the SEC and national title, they need stability at quarterback, which is something they did not have this past season.

Greyson Lambert put up modest numbers but was inconsistent and had trouble throwing the ball downfield. Brice Ramsey got some action at quarterback, but he was probably more efficient as a punter.

So that leads to incoming freshman Jacob Eason who is the No. 1 quarterback prospect in the country, according to 247 Sports. Eason will start taking classes at Georgia next week, per Cody Chaffins of Fox 5 Atlanta, so he can get to work and compete for the starting quarterback spot.

Spring practice will be very essential for Eason and Lambert, because one of the two needs to win the position during that time and not let it dwell into fall camp. If Eason is everything he’s cracked up to be, he should win the job, which will make Georgia fans very happy.

Will Nick Chubb Be Ready to Roll at the Start of the 2016 Season?

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Whoever does start at quarterback should have a very reliable running game to help the offense be more balanced.

Nick Chubb suffered an ugly knee injury back in October, but he should be ready for the season opener. However, how effective will he be this season after coming off knee surgery?

Because Chubb is one of the most athletic guys on the roster, he should have no issues coming back 100 percent. But even if he is 100 percent, does he get as many carries as he did his freshman year? Will new offensive coordinator Jim Chaney put more pressure on Eason instead of the run game? And what if he’s not ready for the opening game?

Fans will pay close attention to Chubb’s rehabilitation the next six months.

Who Is Going to Emerge as the Leader of the Defense?

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The defense for the Bulldogs played well down the stretch this past season. And part of the reason for that was the fact they had leaders such as linebackers Jake Ganus, Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins.

All three of those players will be gone next season, which leads one to question who is going to be the defensive leader for the Bulldogs this fall?

Linebacker Lorenzo Carter, and safeties Dominick Sanders and Quincy Mauger are the likely candidates, as they have seen a ton of action the last few seasons and have been productive during that span.

Carter did take a slight step back this past season, as he did not have a sack, but he only started in two games. Sanders, on the other hand, had an All-SEC season in 2015, as he recorded a conference-high six interceptions.

As for Mauger, he did not have any interceptions at safety, but he was second on the team with five passes defended and was fifth on the team in tackles with 58.

There will be a good amount of young players on defense this upcoming season, so Carter, Sanders and Mauger will have to be the voices of the defense, especially with a new coaching staff taking over.