A never-too-early look at Georgia's 2016 offense
ATHENS -- Georgia's offense didn't perform up to the level many thought it would in 2015.
It ended the year 83rd nationally in total offense at 377.2 yards per game, including two games in which Georgia's quarterbacks threw for less than 100 yards. There were plenty of apparent issues plaguing Georgia's offense that new offensive coordinator Jim Chaney will look to correct.
Before Brian Schottenheimer's one-and-done season as Georgia's offensive coordinator, Mike Bobo had a strong attack humming, and that ultimately led to him becoming Colorado State's head coach.
Chaney's goal will be to re-establish Georgia as one of the SEC's better offenses, which is something Bobo was able to do before his departure.
Here's a look at what Georgia's losing, returning and gaining on offense in 2016:
KEY LOSSES
The Bulldogs' biggest need for improvement in 2016 will be at receiver.
Georgia loses Malcolm Mitchell, who caught 58 passes for 865 yards and five touchdowns last season. At times, Mitchell was the only reliable outside target. Not having Mitchell around to win one-on-one battles receivers will be a blow to a Georgia offense that struggled to sustain a passing attack.
Georgia loses two offensive line starters in John Theus and Kolton Houston.
Theus moved from left tackle to right tackle, but is still considered to be a second- or third-round NFL draft pick. Houston began the season at right tackle but moved to left guard and provided solidarity and leadership at the position.
Senior tight end Jay Rome leaves without ever becoming the big-time receiving target many had hoped for when he was a member of Georgia's "Dream Team" recruiting class of 2011. But he provided a lot of leadership and was a sound run blocker for the Bulldogs. Georgia also loses running back Keith Marshall, who decided to bypass his final season of eligibility. Marshall totaled 350 yards and three touchdowns last season.
KEY RETURNERS
The most important offensive returners are running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel.
For Chubb, the focus will be on whether he's healthy enough to perform like he was prior to sustaining a devastating injury to his left knee, in which he tore multiple ligaments and did damage to his cartilage. With Chubb missing more than half of the season, Michel went on to record 1,161 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
At quarterback, both Greyson Lambert and Brice Ramsey will enter the spring competing for the starting job. Lambert's 2015 statistics show the best and worst at the spot. He boasted a 63.3 completion percentage and only threw two interceptions.
But he only threw for 1,959 yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 starts. More will certainly be needed out of the position if Georgia is to be competitive in 2016.
On the offensive line, Georgia returns three starters in left tackle Isaiah Wynn, center Brandon Kublanow and right guard Greg Pyke. Pyke will likely stay at right guard, but it will be interesting to see what offensive line coach Sam Pittman does with Wynn and Kublanow. If another option at center emerges, perhaps Kublanow moves back to being a guard. The same applies to Wynn. Pittman could decide to move Wynn, who can play all five positions on the offensive line, and go with someone else at left tackle.
At wideout, Terry Godwin is the lone returning proven threat as Georgia's second-leading receiver with 35 catches for 379 yards and two touchdowns. Isaiah McKenzie only had 10 catches for 123 yards, showing he was more of a gadget threat in Schottenheimer's offense. Perhaps Chaney can get better use out of McKenzie, who played a major role in Georgia's win over Auburn with rushing and return touchdowns, as a receiver.
Georgia returns two promising tight ends in Jeb Blazevich and Jackson Harris.
Blazevich didn't put up the numbers the Bulldogs hoped for with only 15 catches for 144 yards and a touchdown. But with Chaney running the show, tight ends could soon flourish in Georgia's passing attack, given what he's done with them in previous stops at Purdue, Tennessee, Arkansas and Pittsburgh.
KEY ADDITIONS
The biggest name of the bunch is quarterback Jacob Eason, who could beat out both Lambert and Ramsey for the starting job.
Eason, a five-star early enrollee who was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year, might be the spark Georgia needs on offense. And even if he's not fully ready as a true freshman, perhaps the new coaching staff decides to let him work through his early-career mistakes.
Receiver Riley Ridley and tight end Isaac Nauta also enrolled early and could factor into Georgia's passing attack this season. Nauta was rated as the nation's No. 1 tight end and provides a strong balance of receiving and blocking skills. Ridley could help Georgia stretch the field in the passing game, much like his brother, Calvin Ridley, has done at Alabama.
Big-time offensive tackle Ben Cleveland is someone who might challenge for a starting spot as a true freshman. He's a massive lineman at 6-6 and 319 pounds, and reportedly had a strong week during U.S. Army All-American Bowl practices.
Running back Elijah Holyfield figures to see some carries, even if he begins the year behind Chubb and Michel. And if Chubb isn't 100 percent when the season starts, Holyfield will likely be among those considered for playing time early on.
This story was originally published January 20, 2016 at 8:30 PM with the headline "A never-too-early look at Georgia's 2016 offense ."