FitzPatrick looks ahead to different roles at Georgia

In recent seasons, Georgia’s tight ends haven’t been significant producers as receivers.

Instead, Georgia has needed its tight ends to block and open up holes for its star-studded backfield. While many newcomers to the college game have desires to continue producing as they did in high school, that’s not the case for the targets that the Bulldogs prioritize.

Georgia is looking for two tight ends to round out its 2018 recruiting class, and one has already signed to kickoff the inaugural national early signing period. John FitzPatrick, a four-star tight end out of Marist, looks to take upon any role.

“I’m really excited and looking forward to playing at Georgia,” FitzPatrick said after his letter-of-intent made its way to the university. “It’s a relief that I’m signed, and will be working hard wherever they want me.”

Whether it be receiving, blocking or playing a special teams role, FitzPatrick displays readiness for any task he's asked to do. That’s to the delight of tight ends coach Shane Beamer, who has rotated four tight ends this season. His unit has been applauded for the Bulldogs’ success in the running game.

Beamer’s tight end room will take a significant hit after the season as senior Jeb Blazevich graduates.

“We want to play for (Coach Beamer) because he focuses on family and the opportunities beyond football,” FitzPatrick said. “He speaks on how they use tight ends for both blocking and receiving, and I’m used to both.

Georgia is in search of another prospect to complement FitzPatrick in the 2018 class, and things looked bleak for quite some time as nearly every recruit it targeted decided to play elsewhere. But with four five-star offensive players set to arrive on campus in the coming months, the opportunity to pursue one of the nation’s most reputable names was inevitable.

Luke Ford, the top tight end prospect out of Illinois, has had Georgia at the top of his list for some time -- along with Alabama, Texas and others. Ford will not sign a letter-of-intent until the traditional National Signing Day on Feb. 7, per his high school coach Dennis Drust, but the Bulldogs are in a favorable spot.

Ford has voiced the excitement of potentially playing alongside five-star quarterback Justin Fields and two highly-rated running backs in Zamir White and James Cook. FitzPatrick met Ford on Nov. 4 before the South Carolina game and said he would enjoy playing alongside him.

Throughout the recruiting process, Georgia targeted George Takacs, Tommy Tremble and Ben Bresnahan to fill the second tight end void, but each of those four-star prospects signed elsewhere Wednesday. Ford is the lone priority and seemingly a must-have if it seeks a second tight end.

“I would love to have him as a teammate,” FitzPatrick said. “We could be a great duo together.”

Ford or not, FitzPatrick is looking forward to the opportunity to play for the “best team in the nation.” The Marist product was one of 17 prospects to sign early with Georgia, and a newly-formed backfield duo of White and Cook stand near the top of the group.

If opening space for running backs is FitzPatrick’s primary goal, it’s something he looks forward to.

“Blocking creates many opportunities for an offense,” FitzPatrick said. “It allows my teammates to run through holes, and that’ll be key with the guys Georgia has signed.”

This story was originally published December 20, 2017 at 5:30 PM with the headline "FitzPatrick looks ahead to different roles at Georgia."