Georgia Bulldogs Football: 10 Positions to Be Decided in Spring Practice
Though it hasn't quite felt like spring outside, spring practice is finally here. The Georgia Bulldogs are over a week into their spring drills and workouts, and just a few weeks away from their annual G-Day game, where fans will finally get a comprehensive look at the team.
Georgia was very competitive in 2010, but they sure weren't good at winning. The team went 6-7, and many were very critical of coach Mark Richt until he pulled out the stops with his best recruiting class to date.
But this spring isn't about recruiting. It's about the guys who are already in Athens. Sure, having sprinkles of heavily talented freshman is nice, but if Georgia is going to turn things around (and possibly save Richt's job) it will be up to the upperclassmen to decide most of the fate.
The transition into the new 3-4 defense has continued to be a glorified game of musical chairs, with players switching and adding in left and right, and the offense has some serious holes to fill (or open up, if you will).
Here's a look at the top position battles that will be fought this spring.
Second Quarterback
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Competitors
Hutson Mason (pictured), Sophomore, 6'3" 196 lbs.
Christian LeMay, Freshman, 6'2" 198 lbs.
The Rundown
Hutson Mason wasn't a highly recruited prospect for the Georgia Bulldogs. In fact, Mason's other prospective colleges coming out of high school were UAB and Western Michigan (and a few other small schools you might not recognize).
Georgia's quarterback position changed drastically last summer after apparent starter Zach Mettenberger was kicked off the team, and former ESPN 150 prospect Logan Gray switched to wide receiver. That left the door open for Mason, a lanky kid who excelled in high school, breaking multiple passing records.
It seemed like a feel-good story, but now in comes Christian LeMay out of Matthews, North Carolina. LeMay was one of the earliest commits of Georgia's 2011 recruiting class, and was considered one of the best quarterback prospects in the country.
LeMay is hands down the more logical pick, but things get complicated. If Georgia wants depth at quarterback (as far as winning talent is concerned), then the battle should be on between Mason and LeMay. But LeMay is also a valued player with a bright future. Some are arguing Georgia should redshirt LeMay this season so he can have more starting time in the future.
But redshirting LeMay makes Georgia's quarterback position just as thin as last year. Aaron Murray was healthy through the entire 2010 season, but if he were to go down to injury, you bet Georgia fans would want LeMay taking the field instead of Mason.
So really, if Murray gets hurt, the job should be LeMay's. If Murray stays healthy, the second spot will technically belong to Mason. But, if Mason has a really good spring, he might lock LeMay to a bench spot for the entire year.
Tailback
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Competitors
Washaun Ealey (pictured), Junior, 5'11" 219 lbs.
Caleb King (No. 4), Senior, 5'11" 223 lbs.
The Rundown
Man, has the running back carousel at the University of Georgia been a dandy since the departure of Knowshon Moreno, or what? Both tailbacks have served suspensions in the past year for various violations and both tailbacks have dealt with injury.
Georgia's running game has suffered deeply because of this inconsistency, and many Georgia faithful believe that the lack of a clock-churning running game has been the primary reason Georgia hasn't been very good in the past few years.
There definitely seems to be a correlation. Georgia has either scored in a few plays (through the air) or turned the ball over in just as many. If they want to get back to their winning ways, the running game will have to reign supreme—especially considering A.J. Green's departure.
So, are either of these two tailbacks ready to take on the challenge, and the inevitable pressure?
History tells us no. They have been nothing but off-field distractions, but both Ealey and King have a chance to really redeem themselves, and the competition between them will hopefully pay dividends in 2011.
Ealey has shown glimpses of brilliance in the past two years, but he's also just as careless with the football and maybe tries to string plays out too much.
King, who was a prodigy when he entered Athens, has fallen off the map due to injury and lack of playing time. He's never looked comfortable as a runner.
Both tailbacks are much bigger this year, and will be in the most heated battle of spring practice. What these two are playing for is the confidence of offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, because the nation's number-one tailback, Isaiah Crowell, comes to Athens this summer.
Many think Crowell will see significant playing time in 2011, which means King and Ealey could be battling for serious playing time. The loser of this spring duel might not see the field much at all next year.
Guard
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Competitors
Kenarious Gates (pictured), Sophomore, 6'5" 328 lbs.
Chris Burnette (No. 68), Sophomore, 6'2" 313 lbs.
The Rundown
Chris Burnette is actually listed as a center right now, but apparently will be in competition with two other inexperienced guards, Kenarious Gates and Justin Anderson, for one of the starting guard positions.
We will leave Anderson out of this discussion. While Anderson did play defensive line last year, he spent his first years with the Bulldogs at guard and likely will lock up one of the positions.
This leaves the battle between Gates and Burnette.
Gates came on in the middle of last season to play offensive line as a freshman, and did considerably well.
Burnette, on the other hand, hasn't seen much of the field at all. He was a reserve center for Georgia all of last year, despite being recruited for a different position
As Georgia's musical chairs on the offensive line continues, many wonder if it will ever get the continuity needed to excel in the SEC. The current center and tackle positions, which will be taken by All-SEC players Ben Jones, Trinton Sturdivant, and Cordy Glenn (played guard last year), should be in good shape.
Gates was pretty good last season as well, but he will have to earn his spot on the offensive line.
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Second and Third Receiver
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Competitors
Marlon Brown (pictured), Junior, 6'5" 222 lbs.
Rantavious Wooten (No. 17), Junior, 5'10" 185 lbs.
Israel Troupe (No. 28), Senior, 6'1" 222 lbs.
Michael Bennett (No. 82), Freshman, 6'3" 208 lbs.
Chris Conley (No. 31), Freshman, 6'3" 202 lbs.
The Rundown
Incoming junior Tavarres King basically has the starting receiving position locked up, but with three Georgia receivers from last year gone in A.J. Green (leaving early for draft), Kris Durham (completion of eligibility) and Logan Gray (transfer), the Dawgs will need some serious pickup at receiver.
Common sense says that Marlon Brown, a gem of the 2009 recruiting class, will take over. If anyone is built like A.J. Green, it's Brown, who has great size and a lot of athleticism.
Another name that has come up a lot, ever since last year, has been Michael Bennett. Bennett redshirted last year because of Georgia's depth at the position, but all of a sudden the receiving jobs are wide open. Bennett could sneak his way into some considerable playing time next year, or better.
Rantavious Wooten is the most experienced in game with tenured Israel Troupe right behind him.
Troupe, who was a fairly highly rated recruit, has never made much of an on-field splash between the hedges. This could be his year.
Chris Conley, who enrolled early, would be a wildcard. Also, Georgia brings in Under Armour All-American Justin Scott-Wesley this summer.
Middle Linebacker
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Competitors
Alec Ogletree (pictured), Sophomore, 6'3" 230 lbs.
Richard Samuel (No. 22), Junior, 6'2" 243 lbs.
The Rundown
Some aren't really bidding this as a competition, but it would only be fair to make mention. That, and the fact there are some serious implications on the line here, not to mention serious question marks.
Georgia will have to find a way to replace linebacker Akeem Dent, who finished his senior season last year. Most believed the spot would be promptly filled by USC transfer Jarvis Jones, but defensive coordinator Todd Grantham believes that Jones will thrive at outside linebacker and that Ogletree would be a much better asset at middle linebacker, as opposed to safety.
On the other hand, Richard Samuel hasn't played linebacker either—at least not in a real game. Samuel started as Georgia's tailback on opening day in 2009, declined, got benched in the wake of Washaun Ealey's success and moved to linebacker.
Samuel played linebacker in high school. In fact, referees in charge of the action during one of his games at Cass High School once stopped play to tell the Cass coaches that Samuel was hitting too hard.
That's good news if you're a Dawg fan looking for a revival of the junkyard defense. Ogletree, blessed with insane athleticism, should win this job, but, the safety position Ogletree is leaving vacant has apparently been a tough fill for candidates Jakar Hamilton and Shawn Williams.
If things get too ugly back there, it's a slight possibility Ogletree moves right back. So, Samuel better bring his game this spring, because it might pay off.
Safety
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Competitors
Jakar Hamilton (pictured), Senior, 6'2" 205 lbs.
Shawn Williams (No. 36), Junior, 6'1" 220 lbs.
The Rundown
It appeared that the starting safety positions were all but locked up for 2011 with Bacarri Rambo and Alec Ogletree returning, but as stated, there has been a change in the wind.
With Ogletree at linebacker, Jakar Hamilton will get a second shot at a starting position with the Bulldogs. Hamilton, who transferred into Georgia last year as a top JUCO prospect, didn't make much of a splash in 2010. Shawn Williams and Ogletree gained steam through last year and eventually took up most of the playing time.
Williams and Hamilton both had their fair share of bad plays and good plays last year, so right now it's pretty much a neck-and-neck race.
The word is, though, that neither guy has really taken the opportunity with full conviction. Apparently both are a little behind the curve in grasping the position, and might be targets for offenses next year. You would expect a guy like Hamilton, with such a pedigree, to come around by fall.
Sanders Commings, a current cornerback, hasn't really entered the discussion yet. But, Commings was a playmaker at cornerback last year and could very well fit in at safety, which would leave the other cornerback spot to former top recruit Branden Smith.
It's a longshot, but it's a possibility.
Outside Linebacker
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Competitors
Jarvis Jones, Sophomore (No. 29), 6'3", 241 lbs.
Cornelius Washington (pictured), Junior, 6'4", 269 lbs.
The Rundown
This position battle, like a few others, has more than just one implication. Jarvis Jones is coming back to his home state to play for the Bulldogs after transferring out of Southern California. He's a former top recruit and is expected to make an immediate impact at outside linebacker.
Even though Georgia's outside linebacking corps appears a little thin as of now, the pressure is still on these two guys to produce—especially Jones.
Cornelius Washington mans the other outside linebacker position, but many feel that position will be immediately taken in the fall by incoming 5-star recruit, Ray Drew.
While Washington and Jones will be playing opposite sides of the defense this spring, there is no doubt Washington will be playing for some serious respect. Also, Washington is a former defensive end who has made a significant amount of plays in the past as a pass rusher.
Not only is Washington fighting for time at linebacker, but he might be able to squeeze himself back onto the defensive line if he can gain a little bit more weight and strength. DeAngelo Tyson is moving to defensive end to make way for Kwame Geathers and JUCO star John Jenkins.
Washington should consider himself a candidate for one of the end spots as well, considering Abry Jones and Tyson aren't solidified stars at those positions.
Left Tackle
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Competitors
Trinton Sturdivant (pictured), Senior, 6'5" 310 lbs.
Cordy Glenn (No. 71), Senior, 6'5" 348 lbs.
The Rundown
You're in good hands when you have No. 77 and No. 71 blocking for you, and both players will definitely be starters on the offensive line in 2011.
There's still a question, and a little friendly competition to be settled. Right now both players are in limbo when it comes to who's starting at left tackle, and who's starting at right. Sturdivant played left tackle during his All-SEC Freshman year in 2007, and Glenn has spent most of his playing time at guard.
The transition for both of them has been pretty smooth, so far, but Sturdivant has found playing right tackle a lot different.
The question here, is simple: Who's going to protect the blind side?
But, this battle won't be nearly as heated as all of the others.
That is, of course, unless junior A.J. Harmon doesn't make a considerable case against the star players.
Punt Returner
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Competitors
Branden Smith (No. 1), Junior, 5'11" 176 lbs.
Brandon Boykin (pictured), Senior, 5'10" 183 lbs.
Carlton Thomas (No. 30), Junior, 5'7" 163 lbs.
The Rundown
The punt return job wasn't really considered a gray area for Georgia heading into spring practice, but all of a sudden it appears it's a three-horse race.
Branden Smith, a lightning fast specimen, had the job for most of last year on deep punts. Logan Gray, who is no longer with the team, took the pooch kicks.
You assume Smith would just take the position by storm, but not so fast. While Smith is highly talented and appears most suitable for the job, he never really blossomed into the successful punt returner that Georgia has usually had as a staple of their special teams.
Brandon Boykin, on the other hand, is already Georgia's all time leading kickoff returner. He's housed four kickoff returns for scores in his career, but he's not the flash that Smith is. He's a fluid and gifted runner who might fit as a perfect punt returner. But, all of that time returning kicks might scare the ones who expect Boykin to be a shutdown corner next year.
The wild card in this matter is Carlton Thomas, who seems to be in deep water at running back, where three guys are seemingly in front of him. He's not an every-down tailback, but he's a super talented guy who needs to hit the field somehow.
So, putting Thomas at punt returner might be the best idea, especially considering Boykin and Smith are both projected to start at the corners.
Cornerback
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Competitors
Branden Smith (No. 1), Junior, 5'11" 176 lbs.
Sanders Commings (pictured), Junior, 6'2" 217 lbs.
The Rundown
The starting cornerback spot is a lock for returning senior Brandon Boykin, but the other one is definitely up in the air.
You've actually got a pretty good looking competition here between former top recruit, Branden Smith, and last year's most improved defensive player, Sanders Commings.
Smith still appears to be a little undersized, though he's a very good pass defender. He might find it more inviting to be the wild-card offensive weapon for Mike Bobo, which he's done with some success (when done right) in the past.
Commings produced as a pass defender and a tackler last year. Many like his size, as a cornerback, and think he could very well develop into a really, really good player at that position. However, as mentioned before, he's also worth taking a gander at if you're in charge of putting together the safety group.
But, Georgia fans will be scratching their heads if they see that a prospect like Smith did little during his career at Georgia. Considering Commings is in the same class as Smith, Smith better take the bull by the horns. Who knows, maybe this season Smith will become the "Champ" player we all thought he would become.
He's a junior with limited playing time. His time will come, but he needs to add some pounds to his frame.
Projected Depth Chart
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And now that has been taken care of, here is what the first team should look like this spring.
QB: Aaron Murray
TB: Caleb King
FB: Bruce Figgins
TE: Orson Charles
WR: Tavarres King
WR: Marlon Brown
T: Trinton Sturdivant
G: Kenarious Gates
C: Ben Jones
G: Justin Anderson
T: Cordy Glenn
DE: DeAngelo Tyson
NT: Kwame Geathers
DE: Abry Jones
OLB: Jarvis Jones
MLB: Christian Robinson
MLB: Alec Ogletree
OLB: Cornelius Washington
CB: Brandon Boykin
S: Jakar Hamilton
S: Bacarri Rambo
CB: Sanders Commings
K: Blair Walsh
P: Drew Butler
KR: Brandon Boykin
PR: Branden Smith
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