Ellis Robinson and KJ Bolden Could Play Early and Often for Georgia

Kirby Smart isn't afraid to play freshmen and he has two of the best in the nation. Freshmen KJ Bolden and Ellis Robinson could play big roles for Georgia this fall.

There's been a recurring message from Georgia head coach Kirby Smart this spring. Just because you've started before doesn't mean you'll be starting this fall.

"You have to be careful with guys that are older because if you're not careful, they go backward and the younger guy beats them out," said Smart earlier this spring. "There hasn't been a year that we were here that a younger player hasn't surpassed an older player, because they were hungrier, and they were more driven and more motivated."

Georgia has competition all over the roster for starting spots but none are as fierce as the battle for starting spots in the seconday. Outside of All-American safety Malaki Starks, every spot on the backend of Georgia's defense is open. There are multiple upperclassmen pushing for those jobs, but two freshmen standouts may prove to be too good to keep off the field.

Corner Ellis Robinson IV and safety KJ Bolden - both the top-ranked players at their positions in the 2024 recruiting class - are turning heads during spring practice. It feels like just a matter of time until their both on the field.

After missing out on Caleb Downs in the Transfer Portal, picking up Bolden was big. The longtime Florida State commit shocked many on Early Signing Day when he chose the Bulldogs. Robinson, who was one of Georgia's longest-committed recruits, was ranked as the second overall recruit in this past cycle.

Smart isn't afraid to play freshmen. Starks started as a true freshman in Georgia's season opener against Oregon in 2022. Linebacker CJ Allen started at inside linebacker last year for Georgia as a true freshman.

You don't want to live off of starting freshmen in the SEC, but as we saw with Malaki Starks back in 2022 and Caleb Downs for Alabama last year, sometimes the talent is just too much to keep off of the field.

Other Georgia News:

• Will Georgia Have a 1,000-yard Rusher in 2024?
• Dominic Lovett Continues to Impress at Spring Practice
• Has Wide Receiver Ladd McConkey Done Enough to Become a First-Round Selection in the 2024 NFL Draft?

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