Grading UGA's Post-Spring Depth Chart
The Bulldogs played their spring game on Saturday, but spring practice is not over yet.
They still have one more week of practices, and after that, they will break until August for the start of preseason practice.
The one thing fans saw during G-Day is what the starting lineup is going to look like. There will be some minor changes once the new signees come in this fall, but for the most part, the No. 1 and No. 2 units will look the same going into preseason camp.
So here are grades to hand out for the Bulldogs' post-spring depth chart.
Quarterbacks
1 of 7
Starter: Hutson Mason
Backups: Faton Bauta, Brice Ramsey
The one player who stood out from the rest of the Bulldogs during the spring game was Hutson Mason.
The senior quarterback completed 18 of his 27 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown. He had complete control of the offense, and he looks like a better quarterback than he did at the end of the 2013 season.
Faton Bauta also played well for the Black team. He completed 16 of his 28 passes for 232 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also had 35 rushing yards on six carries.
Brice Ramsey struggled, completed two of his 13 attempts and threw one interception.
All three quarterbacks can do different things well. But Mason is the best of the group, and the smartest thing for Bauta and Ramsey to do is take notes because one of them will be the starter next season.
Grade: B+
Running Backs
2 of 7
Starter: Todd Gurley
Backups: Keith Marshall, A.J. Turman, Brendan Douglas
This is a position where there will be a lot of changes during preseason practice because Keith Marshall will be back in the mix and Sony Michel as well as Nick Chubb will be on campus.
But Todd Gurley is the cream of the crop, and there is no reason he can’t have a Heisman-type year.
One of the players to watch, though, is A.J. Turman. He had a good performance in the spring game, rushing for 32 yards and one touchdown. He has really come along strong since injuring his MCL last season.
Brendan Douglas surprised everyone with his play last season, and it has carried over in the spring. He rushed for 40 yards on 10 carries on Saturday.
Grade: A
Receivers/Tight Ends
3 of 7
Receivers
Starters: Chris Conley, Michael Bennett
Backups: Malcolm Mitchell, Justin Scott-Wesley
Tight Ends
Starter: Jay Rome
Backups: Jordan Davis, Quayvon Hicks
Malcolm Mitchell and Justin Scott-Wesley did not play in the spring game because they are recovering from knee injuries suffered last season. So the top two receivers are Michael Bennett and Chris Conley and they will likely be the starters at the beginning of the season.
And both players were in midseason form, as they combined for 11 receptions in the spring game.
Once Scott-Wesley and Mitchell are back in the mix, the Bulldogs could very well have the best group of receivers in the conference.
As far as tight ends go, Jay Rome will be the starter, but Jordan Davis and Quayvon Hicks performed well this spring. The tight end position will not be an issue this fall.
Grade: A-
Offensive Line
4 of 7
Starters: David Andrews, Brandon Kublanow, John Theus, Kolton Houston, Greg Pyke
Backups: Mark Beard, Hunter Long, Zach DeBell, Watts Dantzler, Josh Cardiello
Based on what was on display during the spring game, the offensive line is slowly but surely coming together.
Kolton Houston, John Theus, David Andrews and Mark Beard will see a lot of action this season. But the question is who will be the starting five when the season begins because Brandon Kublanow, Greg Pyke and Watts Dantzler have done some good things this spring as well.
What could happen is offensive line coach Will Friend will have eight guys who will be part of the No. 1 group. That way, he does not have to just settle with five guys and rotate the lineup each week depending on who the Bulldogs play.
Grade: B-
Defensive Line
5 of 7
Starters: James DeLoach, Jonathan Taylor, Sterling Bailey
Backups: John Atkins, Chris Mayes, Ray Drew
This group is interesting because defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt and the coaching staff are still trying to find the best players for each position.
James DeLoach, Jonathan Taylor and Sterling Bailey are the best three right now, but players like Ray Drew, Josh Dawson, Chris Mayes and John Atkins could take their spot by the fall.
The good thing is all of the players have experience. But in order to be part of the No. 1 unit, they have to continue to work and be able to grasp Pruitt’s system quickly.
Grade: B-
Linebackers
6 of 7
Starters: Ramik Wilson, Amarlo Herrera, Jordan Jenkins, Leonard Floyd
Backups: Tim Kimbrough, Johnny O’Neal, Davin Bellamy, Reggie Carter
This could be the deepest position on the roster, including the running backs.
Ramik Wilson, Amarlo Herrera, Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins are solid and should thrive in Pruitt’s system.
But the reserves like Reggie Carter, Tim Kimbrough, Johnny O’Neal and Davin Bellamy will be the reason this group becomes an even stronger unit.
Carter led all Red team linebackers with four tackles in the spring game while Bellamy, Kimbrough and O’Neal each had one stop. Those stats are misleading because the linebackers were playing sideline-to-sideline all game long, and they have all done well in practice.
Grade: A
Secondary
7 of 7
Starters: Damian Swann, Aaron Davis, Tray Matthews, J.J. Green
Backups: Shaq Wiggins, Devin Bowman, Lucas Redd, Corey Moore
The lineup for the secondary should and will change before the season begins.
Damian Swann is safe at the No. 1 corner, and the same can be said for Tray Matthews at free safety. But as for the No. 2 cornerback and strong safety, that is a different story.
Aaron Davis has been the No. 2 cornerback this spring and played well in the spring game. But can the redshirt freshman keep up the momentum when the Bulldogs begin preseason practice?
Corey Moore and J.J. Green have been battling it out for the strong safety position. Moore did have a productive spring game, as he led the Black team with seven tackles. But because Green can play either cornerback or safety, the coaches will find a spot for him before the season begins.
Grade: B-
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