UGA’s Leading Tight End Pass Catcher in 2023: Oscar Delp

Oscar Delp will be the leading pass catcher amongst Georgia tight ends this season. And yes, this is with a presumably health Brock Bowers all season.

Last year as a freshman, Delp was the third tight end on the depth chart for the Bulldogs behind returning junior All-American Brock Bowers and former Bulldogs tight end Darnell Washington, who graduated and is now with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL.

The last two seasons, Bowers has led the Bulldogs tight end room in receptions, yards and touchdowns at the position. His numbers in those two seasons combine for 119 receptions, 1,824 yards and 20 touchdowns, while adding another four touchdowns on the ground.

Bowers made first-team All-American in his freshman and sophomore seasons and was the John Mackey award winner in 2022, which is the award given to the nation’s top tight end.

In his role as the third tight end of Georgia’s depth chart last season, Delp saw limited action totaling only 5 receptions for 61 yards and one touchdown. That’s pretty typical for most freshmen at Georgia who have to wait their turn to get on the field.

So, knowing the stat comparisons between Bowers and Delp, and even with Delp being elevated to the second tight end on the depth chart this season, you’re thinking how could he possibly lead the tight end room in stats.

Oscar Delp will be Georgia’s leading tight end pass catcher in 2023

The reason isn’t because Bowers skill level will decline, but that he will be receiving double teams that leave Delp wide open in many situations this season as a solid option for starting quarterback, Carson Beck.

Out of high school, Delp was a four-star recruit for the Bulldogs according to ESPN’s Top 300 recruitment rankings for the class of 2022. At West Forsyth High School, Delp had 968 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns in his senior season of high school.

Delp showed flashes of promise during his limited time on the field during his freshman season for the Bulldogs as well. Another factor that shouldn’t be overlooked is that both Delp and Beck were on Georgia’s second team last year, so they worked with each other extensively in practice last season. The chemistry amongst the two will be better than people realize for this reason.

So yes, Brock Bowers is clear-cut the most talented tight end on Georgia’s team. But there’s no doubt with the double teams he’ll face, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart will have coached up Beck to keep his eyes on Delp all season, and Delp should be able to make the most of those opportunities.