UGA Football Preview 2009: 10 Best Players We Know and 10 We're About To Meet

Alright, my latest article was way off on a tangent, but with the players hitting campus grounds in the past few days, it is now officially time for me to begin the first part of what will be an eventual series of Georgia Football previews.

This first one focuses mainly on the players who we expect to start, or get substantial playing time in the fall.

Here is my list of the top ten Dawgs we all know, and the top ten Dawgs we may not know-yet.

Enjoy!

# 10 Dawg We Don't Know- #12 Taveres King

Tavarres King was actually a pretty highly recruited receiver who came in with the 2008 class, however AJ Green stole the spotlight. Memphis prospect Marlon Brown's commitment to Georgia earlier in the year seemed to keep mention of King on the low.

And, with a lot more of depth at receiver than most give credit, there is still question as to whether or not King will emerge this year as a sophomore.

There was plenty of talk about Tavarres during last year's workouts, however he had just one catch in 2008 (though it was a 41 yarder).

He came in small last year, but apparently has put on some weight to an already favoring 6 foot 1 inch frame.

Kris Durham's season ending leg injury could mean more playing time for Tavarres King, but with the word that there will not be many redshirts on the freshman class this season that may be a crowded area on the roster.

#10 Dawg We Know - #3 Bryan Evans

We should all know who Bryan Evans is by now, but maybe not for the best reasons. Let me explain.

Evans spent last season in the nickel position and on the boundary corner. He was noticeably picked on by opposing offenses, mostly because of a habit of misreading routes, being out of position, etc.

However, here comes the good news.

Evans, who was in fact recruited as a corner, has moved to the safety position C.J. Byrd had last year. This might be a breakthrough opportunity for him considering he plays much better downhill and is a fantastic pursuer, as well as an above average tackler. Evans also is listed to have a 4.4 40 yard dash, so he is a quick one.

It will be an interesting senior year for Bryan Evans.

# 9 Dawg We Don't Know- #19 Sanders Commings

The last two guys we had with really odd names ended up first day picks in the NFL Draft (Knowshon and Massaquoi {by the way, the word processor just told me both of those names are not part of the English language, just to clarify}).

So let's say there is a pretty good chance this guy will be good too, maybe even if we have to trash that terrible reasoning above and find a better rock of evidence to lean on.

Commings was not the highest recruited player in the country, but he definitely did not cease to impress in the G-Day game this spring.

Commings played at punt return for most of the game, and had a few very impressive plays on defense (enough to get my attention).

His stats say he runs about a 4.5, which is not slow, but he is no Asher Allen. I just think this guy obviously has shown coaches a lot if he got that much exposure in the spring game.

Plus, with the cornerback spots getting thin, and the defense having to nickel nearly every down, Commings should see the field early and often this year.

#9 Dawg We Do Know- #60 Clint Boling

Clint Boling established himself as a dominant force in the trenches as a freshman, grabbing SEC All-Freshman honors from the SEC coaches and Sporting News.

Last season Boling was strangely a figure of seniority amongst the many young players on the offensive line who had to fill in for injured starters.

Now coming into his junior year, he will have an experienced line to help him out and will have a chance to make a real name for himself in the SEC.

# 8 Dawg We Don't Know- #2 Brandon Boykin

Brandon Boykin (shown wearing #20 above from last year) is a new face but expected to start at the other corner opposite of Prince Miller.

Boykin, at 5 foot 11 inches, is not a bad sized cornerback and has very good speed (I've read anywhere from 4.45 to 4.37).

And we know he is an athlete; Boykin apparently won a high school dunk contest at a convention in Florida.

He, like Commings, showed some ability in the G-Day game. Come to think of it, minus the fact he is now sporting #2, he reminds you a bit of Asher Allen.

# 8 Dawg We Know- #23 Prince Miller

Prince Miller was just kind of that "other guy" last year with the presence of Asher Allen at cornerback, however with Allen leaving early it is now Miller time.

The pint sized, 5 foot 8 inch cornerback has stapled himself to the UGA platform via punt returns. Miller had Georgia's 92 yard touchdown against Alabama which, despite coming with defeat, shook Sanford Stadium so much UGA VI temporarily rolled [i]back[/i] over in his grave.

But, Miller has proven to be a very reliable corner, and despite his small stature plays the ball very well in the air.

As an incoming senior, it is time for the Prince to step up as a leader of the team.

#7 Dawg We Don't Know- #31 Quintin Banks

Safety Quintin Banks is entering his redshirt junior year, however guys like Kelin Johnson, Reshad Jones, and CJ Byrd have kept him on the sideline most of the time.

While Bryan Evans is slated to move over and fill in, many believe Banks is just as worthy of a starting role.

Banks apparently is a ferocious hitter, and received a lot of praise during practices two years back.

For some reason his name has kind of fallen off, but he should get more playing time this year. I have been waiting too long to see what this guy can do!

# 7 Dawg We Know- #36 Shaun Chapas

Shaun Chapas is just the next great fullback to come between the hedges. Last year Chapas caught 9 balls for 125 scores and a touchdown as a fill in for injured Brannan Southerland. This year, fullback U (yeah, I said it...do you even know what a fullback is?) returns a star who is not only a great receiver but a solid blocker.

#6 Dawg We Don't Know- # 7 Orson Charles

Former teammate with UGA commit Aaron Murray, Orson Charles is one of the highest praised recruits of the year.

He is a tight end / wide out hybrid with a 6 foot 3 inch frame and 4.5 speed (Yikes!).

In fact, despite being ranked #7 at his position by rivals.com, Charles could see half of his time split out or in the slot.

Expect Charles to wear a red jersey instead of the metaphorical red shirt, and make an immediate impact in Georgia's offense.

#6 Dawg We Know- #56 Geno Atkins

Big Geno Atkins was slated to be a first day pick in this year's NFL Draft, however decided to return for his senior year in the Red and Black.

He had a bit of a fall off from his monster sophomore year, but is expected to be a force this season with the help of returning redshirt senior Jeff Owens.

Atkins is a bit undersized, but is a quick play making defensive tackle and no doubt a guy who makes us breath a little easier while watching games.

# 5 Dawg We Don't Know- # 30 Cartlon Thomas

Okay, so if you watched the G-Day game you may know who this guy is by now, but the funny thing is he never was really slated to be a starter at UGA anytime soon.

He could very well be this year. Thomas, who is short but stout at 5 foot 7 inches, may be the perfect combination of physicality and elusiveness that Georgia wants in the backfield.

Sure, King and Richard Samuel are projected to be the front runners, but there is no doubt this redshirt freshman Carlton Thomas is special.

Just let this video speak for itself. Wow!

# 5 Dawg We Know- # 4 Caleb King/ # 14 Joe Cox

I am putting these two together mainly because they are replacing the Stafford-Knowshon figure. Cox and King both enter a very similar situation, and are going to be the two biggest names on campus in the fall.

Caleb King was the big name on campus before we even know what a Knowshon was, and his leg was broken.

Man do times change, however with Moreno leaving early King finally has a chance to establish himself as the next great UGA tailback.

People have given King knock for his lack of productivity, however the line was terrible last year and King was still getting used to having two legs.

He still showed those heralded slashing moves at times, but also seemed hesitant to hit the hole every once in a while.

This is the year for King to crown himself, especially with so much talent on his heels.

Cox was also the big name on campus before Matt Stafford even committed to Georgia. He was supposed to be the guy to follow up D.J. Shockley.

Though, we find it interesting how people think he is going to have a very JT3 type year (that is Joe Tereshinksi III for those who do not speak Dawg code).

Cox does not have the arm, but apparently has the knowledge of the system, the guts, the chip on the shoulder, and about 90 believers wearing the same uniform as him.

# 4 Dawg We Don't Know- # 42Justin Houston

Defensive end Justin Houston, who moved over from linebacker immediately last year as a freshman due to lack of depth, was the MVP of the G-Day game this spring after recording 4 sacks.

Houston seemed to be the surprising answer to Georgia's edge rush problems from last year, however will have to face a two game suspension at the start of the year (Oklahoma State and South Carolina).

When he returns, do not be surprised if he emerges into a staple player.

# 4 Dawg We Know- #9 Reshad Jones

Reshad Jones might just be the most athletic player on Georgia's entire roster. The highly recruited safety enters his junior season after nearly leaving early for the NFL.

Jones is a big hitter, and a ball hawk, but needs to fix a few fundamental flaws to become great.

But Jones has All-SEC written all over him, and needs to make the most of his next two years (hopefully) by inking himself onto the list of great Georgia safeties.

# 3 Dawg We Don't Know- Washaun Ealey

Washaun Ealey broke just about every record imaginable as a running back at tiny Emmanuel County Institute, and is the young pup in Georgia's seemingly stacked backfield.

However, as Coach Mark Richt has said many freshman are expected to get the green light this year rather than get redshirted.

Could Washaun Ealey really surpass the other backs on the depth chart and start?

Let's see if this video indicates anything.

Impressed?

# 3 Dawg We Know- #95 Jeff Owens

Jeff Owens is no doubt the centerpiece of the 2009 Georgia football team. Owens, who was an All-American candidate following 2007, suffered a season ending knee injury in last years opener.

Owens kept his nose in Georgia football with blogs and being a leader on the sideline, and earned the praise of UGA fans by deciding to return to campus for the fall and help restore Georgia's defense.

The big 6 foot 3 inch, 300 pound machine, along with Geno Atkins gives Georgia one of the best defensive cores in the country.

#2 Dawg We Don't Know- Marlon Brown

So people ask who is going to help A.J. Green out now that Massaquoi has graduated.

Marlon Brown could be an answer. Brown, who commited to Georgia fairly late, brings a huge frame (bigger than A.J. Green) and insane athleticism to the table. If Brown can get comfortable early, he could becoming a shining star and give Georgia twice as scary as an air attack (if Cox can get them the ball of course).

#2 Dawg We Know- #8 A.J. Green

A.J. Green proved last season just how much of a freak he actually is. At 6 foot 4, and maybe 185 pounds with pads on, A.J. lit up the field as a freshman with 56 grabs for 963 yards.

He's back!

And, this time he actually [i]is[/i] 200 pounds. Green is starting to look like an NFL receiver, and he potentially has three more years left in Athens.

Considering Georgia is not well know for putting out big name receivers, A.J. Green has really gotten a lot of people excited- and a lot of opposing corners wetting beds.

# 1 Dawg We Don't Know- Aaron Murray

Yeah, some of you guys likely know who Aaron Murray is, but since he is a new face on campus he is eligible for this position.

Aaron Murray is the next big quarterback recruit to hit Athens, and was rated even higher than he was in the past year or so before suffering a major leg injury during his final year in high school (ironically, just like Caleb King).

Murray played some in the G-Day game, and shows great zip in his throws, and is pretty darn mobile.

God forbid, but if Cox struggles, Murray could take over at UGA very quickly just like Stafford. (There is one thing that bothers me though- he looks way too much like Brady Quinn in that picture).

Drum Roll...#1 Dawg We Know- #35 Rennie Curran

Linebacker Rennie Curran, who is small for a linebacker at 5 foot 11 and about 230 pounds, has been Georgia's most consistent player for the past year and a half not named Knowshon Moreno.

This year Curran takes over as a true junior, and the engine of Georgia's defense.

Curran flies to the ball and is a sure tackler, and despite not being a safety is what I like to call an eraser. Sometimes, no matter how much room a guy has, Curran comes out of the middle of nowhere and shuts the play down.

He had 115 tackles last year, which was the most by a Dawg since 1998.

Curran will find his name on multiple award watch lists, and is almost a sure All-SEC pick.