15 Georgia Players Named to Athlon Sports Preseason All-SEC Team
The 2023 season is just under 100 days away, and the Dawgs are already making waves. Athlon Sports released their Preseason All-SEC teams on June 1st and was headlined with 15 Georgia players named to the three teams.
The way that Athlon Sports went about selecting the players for their respected team was like this. The players were evaluated on how they are predicted to perform in 2023, and career stats and awards were also considered. They did not consider the strength of the player's team they are a part of, meaning even if your team went 3-5 in conference play, you were considered if you are one of the best at your position.
First-Team Offense
Brock Bowers and Sedrick Van Pran kicked off the selection party, being named to the first-team offense. As many know, Bowers has already received many awards in his two seasons with the Dawgs, 17 to be exact. SVP, on the other hand, has been a bit of an unsung hero for the Bulldogs' offense, but Dawgs fans know how crucial he has been in leading this team. During Georgia's first national title run, Pran burst into the scene, starting at center in all 15 games as a redshirt freshman. What may be even more impressive than that is how he didn't miss an offensive snap in eight different games.
Georgia defensive lineman Mykel Williams (13) celebrates after sacking Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the first half of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game on Saturday, Dec 31, 2022, in Atlanta. News Joshua L Jones
First-Team Defense
Mykel Williams, Jamon Dumas-Johnson, and Malaki Starks were selected to the first-team defense, and deservingly so. Starks and Williams flashed their early signs of greatness during their true freshman seasons. Starks ended his true freshman year being the third-leading tackler for the Bulldogs' defense (68) and was a 2022 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year finalist. Williams was also stellar, leading the team in QB hurries with 31 total, and also tallied 23 tackles and three sacks on the season. Dumas-Johnson also had an impressive season, being the team's second-leading tackler (70), which led to him earning an AP All-SEC second-team nod.
Second-Team Offense
Ladd McConkey, Dominic Lovett, Xavier Truss, and Tate Ratledge will join Bowers and SVP, earning a second-team offense nod. McConkey and Lovvett will be a scary sight for opposing defenses in the 2023 season. Combining for 1,608 yards and ten touchdowns on their respective teams. Now that they are paired together, it should be a fun year for Georgia's receivers' room. Truss and Ratledge have solidified themselves as starters for the Dawgs OL, but they weren't able to fully prove what they had until this past season. Clearly showing upside, Truss and Ratledge earn this nod, making them the second and third offensive linemen from Georgia selected by Athlon Sports.
Second-Team Defense
Nasir Stackhouse, Smael Mondon, Kamari Lassiter, and Javon Bullard lead the way on the second-team defense. Stackhouse is one of the most underrated defensive linemen in the country, playing behind Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis for the last two seasons; Stackhouse's time to shine is now. Mondon started in all 13 games he played in for the Dawgs and led the team in tackles (76), also tallying 8 TFL and 23 QB hurries. The second and third starting DBs to be selected by Athlon Sports for Kirby Smart's defense had themselves productive 2022 seasons. Lassiter and Bullard combined for four tackles, two interceptions, and a tackle for loss in the National Championship game against TCU. The Dawgs' secondary made waves in the 2022 season and are primed to keep it up in the 2023 season.
Third-Team Offense
Finally, rounding out the Bulldogs on the list are Kendall Milton and Amarius Mins, who was named to the third-team offense. Milton has been with the team since 2020 and has established himself as one of the top options for Kirby Smart and his offense. Rushing for 1,049 yards and nine touchdowns in his career so far, Milton will be looking to wreak havoc from behind the wall of his fourth offensive lineman to be named to this list, Amarius Mims. Mims has seen most of his playing time as a reserve offensive lineman for Smart, but with what seems like a solid spot on the ones, Mims is sure to have a breakout year this coming season.
Already making a name for themselves with preseason nods, look for these 15 players to make an impact this coming season in Georgia's march towards a third straight title.
