Georgia Bulldogs Football: 5 Freshmen Who Will Start in 2012

Once again, Georgia has signed another solid recruiting class, finishing No. 12 in the country according to Rivals.com. However, they most likely won't have the same impact as the 2011 class, because there aren't too many starting jobs to fill.

The Bulldogs do have to replace three offensive lineman, a defensive lineman, two specialists and add more depth to the secondary, so there will be a chance for some true freshmen to play.

I highly doubt that Mark Richt will have too many true freshmen in the starting lineup, but here are five talented young players that have a legitimate chance to start in 2012.

Colin Barber

With Drew Butler gone, the Bulldogs have a to find a new punter that can be as reliable as the former Ray Guy Award winner.

During spring practices, Adam Erickson was handling the punting duties, but odds are Colin Barber will take over as soon as he arrives on campus in the summer.

Barber was the sixth-best punter in the country according to 247sports.com, and was a First-Team All-State player at Cartersville High School in Cartersville, GA.

Those accolades are somewhat similar to Butler's, as he was an All-State player at Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, GA.

Marshall Morgan

Another specialist the Bulldogs have to replace is Blair Walsh. Walsh did not have a great senior year—but if you look has his overall career, he was one of the best kickers in SEC history.

Jamie Lindley was handling the kicking duties during spring practices, but Marshall Morgan will get an opportunity to take the job from him.

Morgan was a consensus top-10 kicker in high school and only missed two field goals during his final season at American Heritage High School in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He even kicked a 59-yard field goal, which was the longest field goal in the state for 2011.

Todd Gurley

There's really no telling who is going to start at running back this season. It could be Isaiah Crowell, Ken Malcome, Richard Samuel—or it could be one of the two incoming freshmen that were considered among the best in the country.

Todd Gurley was ranked as the 22nd best athlete in the country according to ESPN.com. He was named North Carolina Player of the Year and helped Tarboro win three consecutive state titles.

Standing at 6'1'', 210 pounds, Gurley has the size to take on any SEC defenders that stand in his way.

Keith Marshall

The only young running back that could stand in Gurley's way when it comes to the starting job is the other back the Bulldogs signed in February.

Keith Marshall was named the No. 2 running back in the country according to Rivals, but he was named as the best running back in the country according to 247sports.

He is a little smaller than Gurley, but has the speed and vision to be an elite SEC running back.

Marshall already has the edge over Gurley because he enrolled early to take part in spring practices. Marshall did not take part in the spring game, but he did impress coaches and players during the practices.

John Theus

It's hard for a freshman offensive lineman to break into the starting lineup, but is there's anyone who can do it, John Theus would be the guy.

At 6'6'', 292 pounds, Theus was a USA Today All-American, Parade All-American and U.S. Army All-American.

When Theus arrives on campus, he is expected to compete at one of the tackle spots. Kenarious Gates and Kolton Houston are the current starting tackles and both had solid spring practices—but if Theus is as good as advertised, he will start when the first game kicks off on September 1.