How the 2024 tight end group from Georgia filled Brock Bowers’ void
NEW ORLEANS — Brock Bowers has made a big impression in his first season as a professional football player. Bowers had one of the best rookie NFL seasons ever for a tight end after being the first Georgia football player to win the Mackey Award twice.
With 112 receptions for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns, he ended up surpassing Mike Ditka’s 63-year-old record for the most receiving yards by a rookie tight end. In addition, Bowers surpassed Puka Nacua’s 105 receptions from the previous season to set a new record for the most receptions by a rookie.
The fact that Bowers was so good right away may have astonished NFL fans, but Todd Hartley, his previous position coach, did not share that opinion.
Before Georgia’s defeat at Notre Dame, Hartley stated, “I don’t think it was a surprise to anybody that stayed around Brock for the last three to four years.” “You were aware of Brock’s potential. He truly is what we say he is, isn’t that what it was attempting to convey to these other people outside of Georgia?
In the 2024 NFL Draft, Bowers was selected as the first tight end. For Christmas, Hartley received a signed jersey from the Pro Bowl tight end, which he plans to frame and display in his office.
Although Bowers is maybe Hartley’s biggest success story, he is by no means the only player Hartley has assisted in making it to the NFL. Since 2019, Georgia has had a tight end selected in each NFL Draft, beginning with Isaac Nauta.
Benjamin Yurosek, who joined from Stanford last summer, is ready to carry on that trend. Oscar Delp, who still has one more year of eligibility, may also join the NFL.
Regarding Delp, Hartley remarked, “He has displayed incredible competitive excellence at times this year.” All of them desire more. They’re looking for more catches. They desire more physical contact. More yards is what they desire. Additionally, there is just one football. It’s difficult to get the ball to everyone as frequently as they want because of the skill level of your offense and the players you’re bringing in, but he’s done a nice job of fulfilling our requests and making those plays when he had to.
This year’s output varied even though they were one of the team’s more talented position groupings. During the Notre Dame loss, Delp was the only tight end to finish with a catch.
Delp appeared to be a dependable target for Gunner Stockton, making two important catches in the overtime SEC Championship victory over Texas.
It’s fantastic. I am aware of my abilities. Before the Sugar Bowl, Delp remarked, “I think everyone on the team does.” “It feels good to have the ball come my way and make a play at a crucial moment.”
Delp had 21 receptions, 248 yards, and four touchdowns at the end of the season. Lawson Luckie, a sophomore, finished with 24 receptions for 348 yards and three touchdowns, leading the room in both receptions and receiving yards.
Together, Georgia’s tight ends have caught 62 passes for 799 yards and seven touchdowns this season. In just ten games as a junior, Bowers alone had 56 receptions for 714 yards and six touchdowns.
“Clearly, Brock’s production there left a gap in the offense for someone to step in and take that role,” Hartley remarked. But let me reiterate what I’ve stated before: I’ve never wanted anyone else to be like Brock. “Hey, I want you to be like Brock,” is not something I will say because it is unjust to the guys in our room and to the people I am trying to attract. I want them to reach their full potential.
Hartley is optimistic about the position group’s future. Hartley appears to have secured two promising tight ends, four-star prospect Ethan Barbour and five-star prospect Elyiss Williams, despite possible NFL losses.
