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Two Georgia freshmen poised to make an early impact
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- Two Georgia freshmen poised to make an early impact
ESPN ranked its top 51 freshmen ready to make an impact in 2026, and two Georgia Bulldogs made the list.
Georgia offensive lineman Zykie Helton was fifth in the SEC, while tight end Kaiden Prothro was seventh. Helton is a former four-star recruit out of Carrollton High School and was the 36th best player in the state. As a guard, Helton has quick feet and has strong hands at the point of attack.
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Helton early enrolled at Georgia in January and was able to get a jump start on things. Helton participated in spring practice and impressed many. He's currently listed at 6 feet 3, 300 pounds and is the ideal size for the SEC. Helton could be in the rotation early or maybe even start as a freshman.
Prothro is a former four-star recruit out of Bowden and the fourth-best player in the country. At 6 feet 6, 230 pounds, Prothro can be a problem for linebackers and safeties. He can go up and get the ball, creating a matchup problem for defenses. Prothro early enrolled as well. In the spring game, he caught five passes for 46 yards and a touchdown. Georgia has a history of developing tight ends such as Brock Bowers , Oscar Delp and others.
What ESPN's Billy Tucker said about Helton
"Helton should push for early snaps on the offensive line and Kirby Smart is not shy about inserting true freshman upfront. His weight fluctuated through high school but he is now tipping the scales at a solid 300 pounds and moving extremely well. He's quick, explosive and powerful once he gets his 10.5 heavy hands on defenders," Tucker wrote.
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What Tucker said about Prothro
"How Georgia ends up deploying Prothro is one of the most fascinating subplots of the Bulldogs' fall camp," Tucker wrote. "Listed at 6-6, 230 pounds, the five-star Prothro ranked as the No. 22 prospect and No. 2 tight end in the class, yet worked as a slot receiver in spring ball. He has a fascinating combination of size and skill, and could develop into a weapon much like Brock Bowers at tight end or George Pickens at receiver."
Prothro is someone who can get on the field early and contribute. The talent and athleticism are there; it's more so about getting adjusted to the SEC. Be on the lookout for both Helton and Prothro this season. Prothro has a big opportunity to get early playing time since Georgia lost six of its top seven receivers from the 2025 season.
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This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Two Georgia freshmen poised to make an early impact
