Importance of Georgia WRs Dillon Bell, Anthony Evans elevated in 2024

ATHENS, Ga. — Dillon Bell was among Georgia’s most important receivers in 2023. Anthony Evans came onto the scene late in the season and was always expected to take a jump in 2024. However, given recent developments to UGA’s receiver room, both have seen their importance for the coming season elevated during fall camp.

With Georgia’s dismissal of Rara Thomas earlier this month, the Bulldogs lost a receiver that would’ve been in their rotation. While the numbers haven’t changed and James Coley’s crew is still a man down as compared to where they thought they’d be, they should be just fine with Bell taking on more snaps at the X receiver spot and Evans proving himself more than formidable.

“Dillon has almost 100 percent been working at the receiver position. Coach Coley has really done a nice job teaching him the finer points of route running and execution, those little things, playing with pad level, working your releases off press, and just becoming a complete receiver,” Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said about Bell, who split time early on last season between his roles as a receiver and as an extra body for the running back room. “Dillon did a great job for us last year making contested catches, which is awesome. We’re now working on trying to create more space and how to create more space.”

“A lot of times, he is our X receiver. He’s in the boundary,” Bobo continued. “When you’re in the boundary in this league, you’re not going to get any off coverage. You’re going to get press. How do you handle press, how do I beat press? Really working on the finer points of winning one-on-one battles.”

Bell should be prepared. After he contributed as a freshman in 2022 with 20 catches, 180 yards and three touchdowns, the Houston, Texas native put up more catches (29) and yards (355) in fewer outings. He totaled five touchdowns on the season (two receiving, two rushing, one passing) and played some of his best football down the stretch with five catches and 90 yards against Tennessee followed by five catches and 86 yards in the Orange Bowl win over Florida State.

Then there’s Evans. A true freshman in 2023, Bell’s fellow Lone Star State native (hometown of Converse, Texas outside of San Antonio) saw action in eight games. He made his biggest impact with a 28-yard punt return in the SEC Championship Game to give the Bulldogs some life. Showing off his speed and elusiveness, it was just a taste of what Evans could do. He further provided that in the Orange Bowl with his first career touchdown to enter the offseason with some buzz.

“He’s a guy that we think has great potential, but potential means nothing if you don’t actually realize it and push through it,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said of Evans. “Camp is going to be critical for him to show toughness. You can’t play the position he plays on offense without establishing physical toughness, and he’s shown the ability to stick his face in there and do things. He’s going to be in competition to be one of our returners, so we need him to have a successful camp, and that really doesn’t come through wanting to have a successful camp — it comes through the mindset of what it takes to be physical and do your job each and every day, which will be key for him.”

Evans got stronger in the offseason according to Smart. It certainly didn’t hurt his ability to “stick his face in there” and help Georgia’s offense with the necessary perimeter blocking. And with one less receiver in the rotation after Thomas’ departure, it has meant more reps for Evans.

Georgia will work to find different combinations for its receiver rotation. While Bell has transitioned into more of an X role, he still has the ability to play other positions. Same goes for Evans, who has worked primarily in the slot as a backup to Dominic Lovett. Doing so should allow the likes of Lovett, Evans and Bell – or Arian Smith – to see the field together, creating mismatches for the defense. Throw in a trio of transfers – Colbie Young, London Humphreys and Michael Jackson III – that do different things too, and the depth of Georgia’s receiver room is just fine. However, it’s safe to say, as compared to last season, the importance of both Bell and Evans as receivers has been elevated in 2024.