Position Week: Georgia players to watch at Safety/STAR in 2024

The summer is here and after enjoying an extended break in May, Georgia players have made their way back to Athens to participate in workouts. The calendar has turned to July and the team will spend the next week or two getting bigger, stronger, faster, and more connected before preseason camp begin

That work will be done out of sight but not out of mind. In order to make sure everyone knows Kirby Smart ’s ninth Georgia team as well as possible, DawgsHQ is providing readers with a week-by-week look at every room on the roster with our Position Week series. We’re with the defensive backfield now and it’s time to talk about three players to watch at STAR or safety.

KJ Bolden

Smart doesn’t often offer specific praise for freshmen. He did that for Bolden recently at SEC Media Days. It could have been the fact that the question was posed by Nick Saban but the Georgia head coach praised Bolden’s skillset and athleticism while also stating that he prepares like a veteran.

This matches up with DawgsHQ’s reporting since Bolden arrived. We have also been told that Bolden has the skillset to play all three positions in the Georgia secondary. It’s safe to say this guy can be a difference maker right away but there’s a long preseason camp ahead.

JaCorey Thomas

The third-year Bulldog is on this list because of how he can impact two different positions. Thomas is firmly in the mix for the starting safety spot opposite of Malaki Starks . He can also challenge Joenel Aguero for some snaps at the STAR position. When Smart discussed Thomas this summer, he stated that Georgia pursued the Florida native knowing that it would take some time for him to develop.

Thomas played a hybrid linebacker role in high school but he has made a move in 2024. Georgia could use him in a variety of different spots and roles and it could be a situation where his playing time fluctuates based on the matchups.

Joenel Aguero

The sophomore from New England is certainly our pick to start at STAR in 2024. We’re always keeping an eye on first-year starters and Aguero fits that bill. When you look at the raw athletes Georgia has used at STAR under Smart, few have a profile that matches Aguero.

The former four-star prospect has tremendous speed. Aguero also has the compact body style Georgia likes at the position and he’s a big fan of content based on those who have seen him in action. He got picked on a little in the G-Day game but that’s going to happen at that position, especially when matching up against veteran slot receivers.

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