Georgia Football: 4 Bulldogs Who Could Surprise People This Spring
With spring practice now in session, the Bulldogs’ goal is to stay healthy and get better each time they step out on the field.
Those are always goals for any team when it comes to spring practice, but the Bulldogs need for this to happen in order to have a successful fall.
But another thing that has to happen is for certain players to surprise the coaches and the fans. There have been some players that have changed positions, and there will be new starters on offense and defense. So there will be a few players that will surprise the Bulldog Nation this spring.
And here are the four Bulldogs that are capable of doing that.
J.J. Green
1 of 5
J.J. Green was originally slated to be a cornerback last season. But due to injuries to Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall, he had to be a full-time running back and finished with 403 yards on 68 carries.
Now that there’s more depth at running back, Green can focus his attention on cornerback and has already impressed head coach Mark Richt, according to Seth Emerson of the Macon Telegraph.
Because this is his first year at cornerback, there’s no telling if he will be the starter by the fall. But because cornerback is his natural position, he should have no issues getting used to the system and making plays this season.
Faton Bauta
2 of 5
All eyes have been on Hutson Mason because he’s taking over for Aaron Murray, who was the most productive quarterback in Georgia history. But Faton Bauta is the backup quarterback, and he will have a chance to show what he can do this spring.
Bauta can throw from the pocket, but he can run, making him a dual-threat player. He appeared in three games last year and rushed four times for 30 yards.
Bauta brings something to the quarterback position that has been missing for awhile. He’s not the typical pro-style quarterback, but he has the ability to make plays with his arm and legs. Bauta will be on display during the G-Day game on April 12.
Brandon Kublanow
3 of 5
The Bulldogs will have to replace three offensive linemen, and one of the newcomers that could impress the masses is Brandon Kublanow.
Hailing from Marietta, Ga., Kublanow appeared in nine games last year. He’s a versatile lineman because he can play guard or center. He’s currently working with the first-team offense and has been holding his own.
Kublanow is not the biggest offensive lineman on the roster, but he can get the job done, which is why he’s in place to be the starter this season.
Johnny O'Neal
4 of 5
Because the linebacker spots are already set, Johnny O’Neal will not see a lot of time on the field this season. But he played in eight games last year and tallied four tackles.
O’Neal played inside linebacker last year, but he has worked with the outside linebackers this spring, according to Emerson. He’s a sideline-to-sideline guy and is always around the football.
He will have a chance to show Bulldogs fans what’s he’s capable of during the spring game. If he can play like he has practiced, the fans will be in for a treat.
Final Analysis
5 of 5
The one thing that is (somewhat) hurting Georgia is having only one early enrollee with the 21 players signed. It’s not a big deal in the long run, but it would have been a good thing for the fans to see if any of the new players could be ready to play this fall.
Regardless, Green, Bauta, Kublanow and O’Neal are four players that have the best chance to impressing the masses this spring. There are other new players as well as veterans that will have good spring sessions, but these four have worked hard last season, and it will pay off when they can display their talents on G-Day.
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