Georgia Football: 12 Players with the Most to Gain This Season

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AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterback Aaron Murray #11 of the Georgia Bulldogs against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

When the Georgia Bulldogs take the practice field for the first time on Thursday, it will be an exciting time for players, coaches and fans.

Veteran players such as Brandon Boykin and Aaron Murray will look to lead the team to the next level, while members of the "Dream Team"such as Isaiah Crowell and Ray Drew will try to make an impact very quickly.

But there are even more players this season that are looking to improve not only for the sake of the team, but also for their football careers. For some, this year will be their first opportunity to shine and for others, it's their last chance to make a statement.

Here are the 12 players that have the most to gain this season.

WR Tavarres King

ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 03: Tavarres King #12 of the Georgia Bulldogs pulls in a reception against Harry Coleman #24 of the Louisiana State University Tigers at Sanford Stadium on October 3, 2009 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

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Tavarres King has the tough job of replacing one of UGA's greats in A.J. Green. After a solid 2010 season, King has an opportunity to become one of the best receivers in the SEC. And if that happens, NFL scouts will be taking a closer look at the junior receiver.

RB Richard Samuel

ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 03: Richard Samuel #22 of the Georgia Bulldogs against the Louisiana State University Tigers at Sanford Stadium on October 3, 2009 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

After playing linebacker last season, Richard Samuel agreed to move back to running back after the loss Caleb King and Washaun Ealey.

It's understood that Isaiah Crowell will be the starter if everything goes according to plan, but Samuel is a hard-nose runner that is much needed at the position.

He may not be the full-time starter, but he will see a lot of carries and has the ability to wear down opponents late in games.

QB Aaron Murray

COLUMBIA - SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Aaron Murray #11 of the Georgia Bulldogs calls out a play during the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty

Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

Aaron Murray had a great season last year, but there is room for improvement.

During the Mark Richt era, sophomore quarterbacks tend to play better than in their freshman year, and as a result, the Bulldogs end up in a major BCS bowl.

Murray had one of the best freshman seasons for any Georgia QB, so the pressure is going to be on him to lead the Dawgs to the promise land.

WR Marlon Brown

Everyone has been waiting for Marlon Brown to take the next step.

Is this the year he does it?

He has all the tools to be an elite SEC receiver, but it has not come together. Another year working with Murray, plus A.J. Green gone should help Brown get more touches.

WR Rantaviuos Wooten

ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 21: Rantavious Wooten #17 of the Georgia Bulldogs scores a touchdown against Trevard Lindley #32 of the Kentucky Wildcats at Sanford Stadium on November 21, 2009 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

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With Tavarres King taking the No. 1 receiver spot, Rantavious Wooten looks to hold down the No. 2 position.

If he is able to step up his game, this offense will be dangerous because he is a speedster that can go deep at any given point of a game.

LB Jarvis Jones

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 26: Linebacker Jarvis Jones #10 of the USC Trojans tackles running back Logwone Mitz #34 of the Washington State Cougars on September 23, 2009 at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. USC won 27-6. (Photo by S

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Jarvis Jones will be an impact player for the Bulldogs.

That is, if he is not suspended for the 2011 season.

Jones, a former USC linebacker before transferring to Athens, is slated to be the starter, and he could be the answer Georgia was looking for on defense. But again, this is if he is eligible to play this season.

LB Alec Ogletree

ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 27: Roddy Jones #20 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets rushes in for a touchdown against Alec Ogletree #9 of the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

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The former safety had a solid 2010 season and is looking to have a better 2011 season playing at a new position.

Alec Ogletree is known for hitting hard and good coverage skills and should fit right in at inside linebacker.

If all goes well, he could go down as one of the best linebackers in UGA history.

CB Branden Smith

ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 03: Branden Smith #1 of the Georgia Bulldogs against the Louisiana State University Tigers at Sanford Stadium on October 3, 2009 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Branden Smith is one of the most athletic players on the roster, but he has to show coaches he can be more consistent in the return game and playing corner.

Smith is expected to play the No. 2 or No. 3 corner as well as helping return kicks and playing a little offense.

If he players mistake-free football this season, he will be a threat for opponents.

CB Brandon Boykin

STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 5: Runningback Brandon Boykin #2 of the Georgia Bulldogs dives for the ball for the ball as Dez Bryant #1 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys cannot make the pass during the third quarter of the game at Boone Pickens Stadium on Septe

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The defensive backs had a rough 2010 season, but Brandon Boykin was probably the best out of the bunch.

He could have entered the NFL Draft after last season, but decided to stay his senior year to help the Bulldogs win a title. Or he could have stayed to improve his draft stock because he is also an elite returner.

S Bacarri Rambo

JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 30: Trey Burton #8 of the Florida Gators is tackled by Bacarri Rambo#18 of the Georgia Bulldogs during the game at EverBank Field on October 30, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

Eighty-two tackles and three interceptions is not bad for Bacarri Rambo. But he knows if he had better numbers, the team would have had a better record.

Rambo was named to the preseason second team All-SEC by Athlon Sports, and if he is able to improve on last year's numbers, he will be a definite first-team all-conference performer.

S Shawn Williams

JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 30: Chris Rainey #3 of the Florida Gators attempts to catcha pass against Shawn Williams #36 of the Georgia Bulldogs during the game at EverBank Field on October 30, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

After putting in the work on special teams, Shawn Williams gets the opportunity to be the full-time starter at free safety. Williams had a great spring and the coaches are hoping he can build on that when the season kicks off in September.

K Blair Walsh

AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 13: Blair Walsh #57 of the Georgia Bulldogs against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

In all honesty, Blair Walsh doesn't have that much to gain this season, but at the same time he does.

He can break Billy Bennett's record for points scored and has yet to win the Lou Groza Award. So if he's able to accomplish those two things, he will go down as the best kicker in UGA history.

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