Georgia Bulldogs: 5 playmakers who will thrive in 2016

Oct 10, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Sony Michel (1) runs the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Sony Michel (1) runs the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 4, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Jeb Blazevich (83) breaks a tackle by Vanderbilt Commodores defensive back Torren McGaster (5) during the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Jeb Blazevich (83) breaks a tackle by Vanderbilt Commodores defensive back Torren McGaster (5) during the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Quarterback struggles and frankly former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer’s inability to design a respectable aerial attack in Athens last season caused several wide receivers and tight ends to have down years playing Between the Hedges in 2015.

One player that seemed to have experience as sophomore slump was tight end Jeb Blazevich. Blazevich looked like the next great UGA tight end as a true freshman in 2014 when the Dawgs finished 10-3 and in the top 10 in the AP Poll at the end of the year.

Blazevich has great hands and is able to get open, particularly in red zone situations. Either it was a complex route tree or Schottenheimer didn’t believe that Greyson Lambert of any of his quarterbacks could adequately target the tight end position, but that group was criminally ignored in 2015 by Schottenheimer.

From his time in Arkansas, Chaney proved that he can take a so-so quarterback and grow his confidence by relying on his tight ends in third and long situations. Arkansas wasn’t spectacular along the edges of the field, but could certainly handle anybody it wanted to between the hash marks on offense. Blazevich will have his best year yet for the Red and Black in 2016 playing in Jim Chaney’s offense this fall.

Next: 4. Terry Godwin