Obviously, GT still has two weeks to kick off and things can change but here is my best guess at how things stand heading out of camp. There could be additional injuries scrimmage or otherwise and other factors that I'm not aware of that this time that could impact how this list looks come next week, but based on sources this is what I got. I'm going to break this up into two parts with the second coming tomorrow.
QBs- Sims/Yates/Beatty/Peery
This is still the same as last year IMO, Jeff Sims is the starter and Jordan Yates is number two. I think Trad Beatty has put up a good fight from everything I hear, but Yates had a very strong camp and continues to develop. Sims is more comfortable in the offense and that makes a huge difference for him as well as being able to hold off the others. Chayden Peery is not ready yet, he doesn't need to be ready yet anyways, but he throws a nice ball.
RBs- Gibbs/Mason/Smith or Griffin
Like QB this is pretty much the same as last year, Jahmyr Gibbs is a generational talent and will play in the NFL as long as he stays healthy. Jordan Mason will have a major role and would start at a lot of schools. The Dontae Smith/Jamious Griffin battle has been pretty intense per my sources as a healthy Griffin made things a lot harder, all four should play a decent amount. Beyond those guys right now you have Tony Amerson who is a solid guy and the two freshmen walk-ons who are actually pretty good Daylon Gordon (small speedster type) and Englan Williams (short, but stout for his size).
WRs:
X- Sanders, Harris, King
Z- Carter, Ezzard or Norris, Boyd
Y- McGowan, McCollum, Rutherford or Norris
The receiver position took a big hit when Leo Blackburn went down with his injury, he had the potential to compete for a starting spot. Avery Boyd is still working his way back from a major injury as well and as Kerry Dixon said this past week he has to learn how to do the more routine stuff better. I think Boyd will make his move as the year goes on into a bigger role, but for now, the consistent guys per my sources are Adonicas Sanders (steady/good hands), Malachi Carter (playmaker down the field) and Kyric McGowan (can line up anywhere on the field). Those are probably the three starters. After that it can be mix and match as Peje Harris can play X, Y or Z like he did last year, Marquez Ezzard has to continue to develop his consistency while guys like Kalani Norris and Nate McCollum are starting to blossom at their positions more. Malik Rutherford is another guy who has impressed in camp a lot. Ryan King will be an interesting guy to watch as he learns to use his body better and be more consistent.
TEs: Leonard/Deveney or Coco/Ward
Dylan Deveney may not be 100-percent all year as he has an AC joint problem and those don't go away and Dylan Leonard has stepped up and will likely be the guy going into the opener with the first group. Leonard has improved his blocking a lot which is what they needed to see from him, he could always catch the ball. Jack Coco has a very well-defined role as sort of the H-Back/Fullback type guy or second TE in two-tight sets or the TE in power running situations. Billy Ward is starting to have the light come on for him per Wiesehan which is good because he has a ton of potential.
OLs:
LT- Cochran/Leftwich/Vaipulu
LG- Cooper/Pendley or Vaipulu/Koots
C- Minihan/Franklin/Lay
RG- Johnson/Maye/Smith
RT- Williams or Kirby/Green or Pendley
I think the left guard/right tackle stuff is still pretty fluid though if healthy Kenny Cooper gives them a mauler who can move at left guard which they need. Durability and stamina remain the question with Cooper and if/when healthy can Nick Pendley or Paula Vaipulu push for a bigger role. Devin Cochran is locked at left tackle and Jakiah Leftwich really benefitted from coming in early and he is the long-term solution there for 2022 and beyond. Inside, Mikey Minihan has stepped up and is giving the leadership piece that is needed and some improved physicality at center. Weston Franklin is the longer-term piece there and could play if needed. Ryan Johnson anchors the right guard spot and he has two veterans in Mike Maye and Austin Smith who can work behind him and play if needed. Austin Smith had big expectations coming into camp, but per my sources is still battling back from his spring-ending injury issues so he has not made any moves toward working up.
The biggest position battle remaining will be that right tackle spot with Jordan Williams and KJ Kirby. Wing Green has had a good camp and is a solid 2nd or 3rd option, but Williams or Kirby should start. Pendley could also be in that mix if he can stay healthy per my sources. The starting right tackle and left guard spots could drag closer to game week before that is completely settled.
QBs- Sims/Yates/Beatty/Peery
This is still the same as last year IMO, Jeff Sims is the starter and Jordan Yates is number two. I think Trad Beatty has put up a good fight from everything I hear, but Yates had a very strong camp and continues to develop. Sims is more comfortable in the offense and that makes a huge difference for him as well as being able to hold off the others. Chayden Peery is not ready yet, he doesn't need to be ready yet anyways, but he throws a nice ball.
RBs- Gibbs/Mason/Smith or Griffin
Like QB this is pretty much the same as last year, Jahmyr Gibbs is a generational talent and will play in the NFL as long as he stays healthy. Jordan Mason will have a major role and would start at a lot of schools. The Dontae Smith/Jamious Griffin battle has been pretty intense per my sources as a healthy Griffin made things a lot harder, all four should play a decent amount. Beyond those guys right now you have Tony Amerson who is a solid guy and the two freshmen walk-ons who are actually pretty good Daylon Gordon (small speedster type) and Englan Williams (short, but stout for his size).
WRs:
X- Sanders, Harris, King
Z- Carter, Ezzard or Norris, Boyd
Y- McGowan, McCollum, Rutherford or Norris
The receiver position took a big hit when Leo Blackburn went down with his injury, he had the potential to compete for a starting spot. Avery Boyd is still working his way back from a major injury as well and as Kerry Dixon said this past week he has to learn how to do the more routine stuff better. I think Boyd will make his move as the year goes on into a bigger role, but for now, the consistent guys per my sources are Adonicas Sanders (steady/good hands), Malachi Carter (playmaker down the field) and Kyric McGowan (can line up anywhere on the field). Those are probably the three starters. After that it can be mix and match as Peje Harris can play X, Y or Z like he did last year, Marquez Ezzard has to continue to develop his consistency while guys like Kalani Norris and Nate McCollum are starting to blossom at their positions more. Malik Rutherford is another guy who has impressed in camp a lot. Ryan King will be an interesting guy to watch as he learns to use his body better and be more consistent.
TEs: Leonard/Deveney or Coco/Ward
Dylan Deveney may not be 100-percent all year as he has an AC joint problem and those don't go away and Dylan Leonard has stepped up and will likely be the guy going into the opener with the first group. Leonard has improved his blocking a lot which is what they needed to see from him, he could always catch the ball. Jack Coco has a very well-defined role as sort of the H-Back/Fullback type guy or second TE in two-tight sets or the TE in power running situations. Billy Ward is starting to have the light come on for him per Wiesehan which is good because he has a ton of potential.
OLs:
LT- Cochran/Leftwich/Vaipulu
LG- Cooper/Pendley or Vaipulu/Koots
C- Minihan/Franklin/Lay
RG- Johnson/Maye/Smith
RT- Williams or Kirby/Green or Pendley
I think the left guard/right tackle stuff is still pretty fluid though if healthy Kenny Cooper gives them a mauler who can move at left guard which they need. Durability and stamina remain the question with Cooper and if/when healthy can Nick Pendley or Paula Vaipulu push for a bigger role. Devin Cochran is locked at left tackle and Jakiah Leftwich really benefitted from coming in early and he is the long-term solution there for 2022 and beyond. Inside, Mikey Minihan has stepped up and is giving the leadership piece that is needed and some improved physicality at center. Weston Franklin is the longer-term piece there and could play if needed. Ryan Johnson anchors the right guard spot and he has two veterans in Mike Maye and Austin Smith who can work behind him and play if needed. Austin Smith had big expectations coming into camp, but per my sources is still battling back from his spring-ending injury issues so he has not made any moves toward working up.
The biggest position battle remaining will be that right tackle spot with Jordan Williams and KJ Kirby. Wing Green has had a good camp and is a solid 2nd or 3rd option, but Williams or Kirby should start. Pendley could also be in that mix if he can stay healthy per my sources. The starting right tackle and left guard spots could drag closer to game week before that is completely settled.
