Georgia Football 2011: 14 Most Important People in the Program Right Now
It's getting closer and closer.
The 2011 season is only less than three months away which means the prediction magazines are on news racks all across the country. And for Georgia, it's pretty consistent as to what most experts think of this team.
Georgia is a team that looks to be on the rise and could reach the SEC Championship when it's all said and done.
In order for that to happen, everyone in that program has to perform better than what they did last year. But there's 14 individuals that will have to rise to the occasion more than anybody else. Who are they? Well, you'll have to start this slideshow to find out.
No. 1: Mark Richt
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This one is obvious.
Richt has done a great job at UGA during his tenure, but this may be his most important year. If the team succeeds or fails this season, all the credit and/or blame will be put on Richt's shoulders.
No. 2: Mike Bobo
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Mike Bobo has been with the UGA coaching staff since 2001 and has been the offensive coordinator for the Bulldogs since 2006. He has taken a lot of heat over the last few seasons because the offense has not produced the way it should have been.
He will have weapons to work with this season, so we'll see how he handles the pressure.
No. 3: Aaron Murray
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Aaron Murray had a great freshman campaign and is expected to have a bigger year on 2011. In fact, some experts have said he is a darkhorse for the Heisman Trophy if the team performs at a high level. For the Bulldog nation, let's hope they're right.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
No. 4: Todd Grantham
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Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham helped Georgia become the 23rd best defense in the country last year, but there is still a lot of room for improvement, especially in the run game.
They did force 26 takeaways, so if the players continue to buy into what Grantham is selling, the defense should be solid.
No. 5: Caleb King
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Caleb King has had an up-and-down career with Georgia. And with this being his final year in Athens, he wants to finish on a high note.
That is going to be tough because Isaiah Crowell is expected to make an immediate impact, but if King has a great offseason and has a great start to the regular season, then Crowell will have to wait his turn for a short period of time.
No. 6: Isaiah Crowell
6 of 14And speaking of Crowell, he is a guy that will probably see carries as soon as the first game against Boise State. He was a monster in high school; can he do the same thing on the college level?
No. 7: John Jenkins
7 of 14As huge of a signing Crowell was, the most important addition to the program was nose tackle John Jenkins. He is expected to play right away, and if he is effective, the defense will be a force because Georgia will finally have a nose tackle that can eat up space.
No. 8: Tavarres King
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Tavarres King is not expected to be the next A.J. Green, but he is expected to be a good No. 1 receiver. King has been solid his entire career, and now, it's time for him to be great.
No. 9: Ben Jones
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In order for the offensive line to play big, Ben Jones has to play big. As many changes as the O-Line has been though the last two years, Jones has been a mainstay and is once again a preseason All-SEC.
No. 10: Brandon Boykin
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Not only Brandon Boykin is the team's best corner, he is one of the country's best return specialist. If Boykin is not effective or not healthy, it's going to be a long season.
No. 11: Drew Butler
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Drew Butler is simply the best at what he does. He knows where to punt the ball and how far he needs to punt it. If he hasn't been declared this already, Butler will go down as one of the best punters in the history of the SEC.
No. 12: Blair Walsh
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Blair Walsh should get more credit for what he does, but because of the success of Butler, sometimes Walsh gets lost in the shuffle. Walsh was named to the All-SEC First Team and was also named to UGA's team of the decade.
No. 13: Alec Ogletree
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Alec Ogletree had a great 2010 season but will have a new challenge this year because he will move to inside linebacker. The move was expected because he is a fierce hitter and intense competitor. He could be the next Thomas Davis, or better, when it's all said and done.
No. 14: Greg McGarity
14 of 14Coming from Florida, Greg McGarity will not accept mediocrity, and when he said UGA took a step backward when the Bulldogs lost to Central Florida in their final game of the 2010 season, he meant it.
Like Richt, it's an important year for McGarity because if the Bulldogs have a bad seasons, McGarity will have some decisions to make at the end of the year.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
