College football is so much fun because teams are continually looking to reload their rosters with the next greatest player, but the University of Georgia wishes this weren’t the case in its tight end room. A generational talent like Brock Bowers is difficult to find for any program, but his time in Athens is over as he prepares for the NFL Draft. The focus now shifts to what the Bulldogs have remaining in this position group and who will take up the critical role that Bowers established for himself over his three years at Georgia. Georgia has added a transfer addition to its tight end room, raising doubts about what may happen to their team. Benjamin Yurosek has a wealth of expertise from Stanford, having spent four years with the Cardinals. Oscar Delp is filling in for Brock Bowers while he recovers from tightrope ankle surgery, so he isn’t the only Georgia tight end getting significant playing time. Delp performed admirably and demonstrated why he may be a valuable addition to Georgia’s offence, but his body is not suited for the role of Bowers.
Delp spent his freshman season sitting behind Bowers and Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington. He saw what his future would be like before Bowers left, so he shaped his body to fit Washington’s role before joining the NFL. It wouldn’t be crazy for him to lose the weight again, but it wouldn’t be very wise. He has carved out a niche in the Bulldogs’ offence and fits in quite well.
Yurosek appears to be the most likely candidate to fill one of the most important roles in collegiate football, Bowers’. Delp might perform tight end reverses and screens at a high rate, but Yurosek has been doing so with the Cardinals. The question then becomes: who will start for the Bulldogs in their season opener versus Clemson? You have a fifth-year senior starting a new program but with a wealth of relevant experience and film. But you also have a rising junior in Delp who has been inducted into the program and should know the playbook like the back of his hand.
When fall arrives, all eyes should be on him to be TE1, with Yurosek being a key component of their offence and bringing depth to an inexperienced but talented room. Although they still have all of spring practice and fall camp to decide who will start, Delp might be a safe bet, with Yurosek filling in as a more versatile option in the passing game, as Bowers was during his three years in Athens.
Leave a Reply