The second of our five part series on the 2019 Georgetown Hoyas.
If Georgetown is going to stake its claim as a contender for the 2019 Patriot League title, the offense must be championship caliber--a tall order given nearly two decades of struggle on that side of the ball. This season, however, offers fans some hope that the Hoyas are up to the challenge.
Georgetown has vacillated between a run and a pass offense for years.The addition of former Clemson offensive coordinator Rob Spence in 2018 sent a message that GU was committing to a pass-first offense. Georgetown finished the 2018 season ranked 108th nationally and sixth in the PL in passing offense, but return three of its top five receivers from last season.
First on Spence's go-to list may be senior Michael Dereus. held to eight games by injury, Dereus is a reliable option for over the middle options and has the speed to get past defenders. He has eight receiving TD's over the last two seasons and led the Hoyas in receiving yardage last season. If Dereus can get time in the opponent secondary, he's a string candidate for All-PL honors at season's end.
A different receiving option offers even more opportunity. Sophomore Joshua Tomas has great speed and is an elusive target, but didn't get many catches last season. A three catch day versus Lehigh was all Tomas got in PL play last season, must be a more consistent target for Georgetown to take full advantage of what he can bring to the offense. Given Tomas' value as a punt and kick returner, Georgetown is not looking to put him at risk of getting worn down in the pass game, but his versatility cannot be overlooked--or ignored.
Two juniors need to step up in 2019. A 52 yard catch from Max Edwards versus Holy Cross was a season high but Edwards needs more touches to improve on a 14 yard per game average from 2018. Skyler Springs appeared in only two games and has an opportunity to get back into the rotation.
Despite the bizarre selection as an all-Patriot league fullback, senior Isaac Schley leads a group of six candidates at tight end. The position has been diminished of late in the college game, but Schley was third on the team in receptions last season and at 6-5, 245 points, can made a difference on third down, where Georgetown was just 26 percent on third down conversions.
Giving receivers the time is a precondition to success. Georgetown returns eight of its 10-man two deep at offensive line from 2018, a young group that struggled at times in supporting Gunther Johnson and the pass game. Two to watch will be senior Ryan Jelinek and junior Chris Caylor as leaders at offensive tackle, a vital position to contain opponents' pass defense. If senior Justin Wood can join this group along the line, Georgetown's pass offense will benefit right away.
A key driver for the offensive line: health. Injuries can decimate an offensive line and Georgetown has seen it over the years. "Next man up" is one thing with back and receivers, but it's tougher in the trenches. For the Hoyas to contend in the PL, it needs a stable starting lineup on the line, one which has not only learned from the non-conference slate, but survived it. None of the starters in game one of the 2018 season made it to game 11 in their same position. Stability on the line is a key ingredient to success in November.
Next week: The defensive line and linebackers.
