Orange Bowl a homecoming for Georgia Bulldogs’ Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint during breakout year

Wide receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint is quick to admit the start to his college career, at least on a personal level, was “frustrating.” He had signed with the Georgia Bulldogs as a top-100 prospect out of Fort Lauderdale powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas, where he was a focal point on a team that annually chased state titles.

Between a season-ending leg injury as a freshman and more competition for playing time, Rosemy-Jacksaint had to bide his time.

But with that came a lesson. Rosemy-Jacksaint accepted that he didn’t have to be the guy to be successful on this championship-chasing Georgia team, one that has won two national titles and has gone 49-4 the past four years. Take the opportunity presented, make the most of it, and when the time comes, he would be rewarded.

“I learned quick, especially after my first year, that was it’s not about you being the man or you having all these yards,” Rosemy-Jacksaint said. “It’s about doing what you’ve got to do to win. At the end of the day, you got to do what you got to do with finding your role, whatever that role may be, and go full speed at being the best you can be at that role.”

Rosemy-Jacksaint’s role as a senior is one of a playmaker. When he steps on the field Saturday for No. 6 Georgia (12-1) in the 90th annual Capital One Orange Bowl against No. 5 Florida State (13-0) at Hard Rock Stadium, he will be one of the Bulldogs’ top pass-catching options after three years of slowly moving toward this spot.

“It’s been a really good year for me,” Rosemy-Jacksaint said. “I have finally been able to capitalize on opportunities downfield when the ball’s thrown my way. It’s just a blessing. I’m just thankful for it, to be honest. I’m just thankful for the opportunity to be able to have had the opportunity to show off my skills and just to be able to show that I contribute to the offense.”

Rosemy-Jacksaint enters Saturday with career highs in catches (32), receiving yards (502) and touchdowns (four). The catches and receiving yards are both third on the team behind only All-American tight end Brock Bowers (56 catches, 714 yards) and fellow receiver Dominic Lovett (51 catches, 575 yards). He has three games with at least 90 receiving yards

“He’s one of the smarter wide receivers I’d say as far as understanding the game and understanding coverages,” Georgia quarterback Carson Beck said. “He has super strong hands. He’s a very reliable receiver that is gonna get open.”

But it wasn’t always easy. Rosemy broke his leg on his first career touchdown catch — a 32-yarder against the Florida Gators on Nov. 7, 2020. He missed the final four games of his freshman season and was sidelined for 10 months.

He contemplated quitting football but credited his teammates, especially the recruiting class he signed with, for helping him through the rehab process.

“Those guys helped me stay strong,” Rosemy-Jacksaint said, “helped me stay grounded and keep my eyes on my vision.”

Rosemy-Jacksaint caught just seven passes as a sophomore before getting an uptick in production as a junior, catching 29 passes for 337 yards and two touchdowns while also playing on kick coverage units.

And then came his senior year, where work ethic and production finally came together.

“He’s done such a phenomenal job being a leader in our room,” wide receiver Ladd McConkey said. “He does everything that you could possibly ask of him, whether it’s running routes, blocking, special teams, Marcus can do everything. So I’m super thankful I’ve been able to play beside him for four years.”

Rosemy-Jacksaint’s time at Georgia might not be over. He has a fifth year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic if he so chooses to use it.

Whether he does or not, Rosemy-Jacksaint hopes he and the rest of the 2020 recruiting class paved the way for the next generation of Georgia football.

“I feel like we’ve opened up a blueprint for the future teams to come,” Rosemy-Jacksaint said. “And I feel like us being the old heads and being the senior citizens and whatnot, we’ve taught the younger guys know how it is to practice at Georgia and how it is to play at Georgia, and what the standard is. At this point, it’s up to them to keep the standard going, and to teach the next group of guys coming in and so and so forth.”