Georgia Football: Projecting the 2012 Depth Chart After National Signing Day

With National Signing Day over, it’s now time to take a look and see where these new players will be placed on the depth chart in the fall.

I know spring practice has not begun and only a small percentage of the players have enrolled early, but for a fan that follows their team closely, one can’t help to think about the future and how the 2012 team will look.

It’s no different for Georgia Bulldog fans because they want to have an idea if what the 2012 team will look like and which incoming freshmen will make an impact.

If you look at the offensive signees, the best players that have a chance to see playing time are running backs Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley, as well as offensive lineman John Theus.

Gurley will more likely be the spell running back for Isaiah Crowell, and Marshall will be the third-string running back. I know Carlton Thomas, Richard Samuel and Ken Malcome have seen more action, but the running game needs to get back on track, and Mark Richt needs to have the best three backs in the rotation at all times.

Theus will start at one of the tackle positions or will be the No. 1 backup behind Austin Long and Watts Danztler. The other two other linemen that were signed, Mark Beard and Greg Pyke, will also have a good chance to see playing time. But I see Pyke getting redshirted, and Beard will more likely be a swing lineman where he will be playing different positions.

Faton Bauta can play numerous positions, but wants to be a quarterback. The problem is, he will be behind Aaron Murray, Hutson Mason (if he doesn’t transfer) and Christian LeMay. So Bauta will get a redshirt and be ready to go in 2013.

Because the loss of Bruce Figgins, Zander Ogletree will be the starter at fullback, but newly-signed Quayvon Hicks has a very good chance of winning the back-up spot due to the fact that the other fullbacks on the roster have little to zero experience.

Also, Ty Smith should be able to win the back-up tight end spot with Orson Charles and Aron White gone. He could possibly win the starting job if Jay Rome does not grasp the offense.

As for the defensive signees, they will have a hard time seeing the field because there is plenty of depth in all positions.

On the defensive line, Jonathan Taylor has the best chance to see a good amount of playing time. With Kwame Geathers and John Jenkins holding down the nose tackle position, Taylor should fit into the defensive end rotation with Garrison Smith, Abry Jones and Derrick Lott. John Atkins will probably be the odd man out and will redshirt.

Jordan Jenkins, James DeLoach and Leonard Floyd are listed as defensive ends, but will probably play outside linebacker. But with Cornelius Washington and Jarvis Jones returning, along with Ray Drew and Chase Vasser as their backups, those three could be redshirted. The same could be done for Josh Dawson, who will be looked at for the inside linebacker spot due to fact that all the inside linebackers from last year will be back.

There are two players that coaches will taking a good look at, and they are Josh Harvey-Clemons and Sheldon Dawson. Clemons best position is outside linebacker, but can also play receiver. I am sure that the coaches don’t want to redshirt him, so if he puts on weight and learns the 3-4 scheme, he might win some time at outside linebacker.

Dawson can play running back, cornerback and receiver. Coaches will find a place for him, and it will likely be cornerback since Brandon Bokyin is gone, as well as Nick Marshall.

Colin Barber should win the punting job, and Marshall Morgan should win the kicking job if they continue to impress coaches. With Drew Butler and Blair Walsh gone, coaches are looking for another one-two punch, and Barber and Morgan could be it.

Blake Tibbs is a dynamic receiver, but will see more action as a return specialist. Branden Smith will return the majority of kicks and punts, but Tibbs will have a chance to see action on the field to give Smith a break and focus on defense.