Georgia Football: 12 Players with the Most to Gain This Season

When the Georgia Bulldogs take the practice field for the first time on Thursday, it will be an exciting time for players, coaches and fans.

Veteran players such as Brandon Boykin and Aaron Murray will look to lead the team to the next level, while members of the "Dream Team"such as Isaiah Crowell and Ray Drew will try to make an impact very quickly.

But there are even more players this season that are looking to improve not only for the sake of the team, but also for their football careers. For some, this year will be their first opportunity to shine and for others, it's their last chance to make a statement.

Here are the 12 players that have the most to gain this season.

WR Tavarres King

Tavarres King has the tough job of replacing one of UGA's greats in A.J. Green. After a solid 2010 season, King has an opportunity to become one of the best receivers in the SEC. And if that happens, NFL scouts will be taking a closer look at the junior receiver.

RB Richard Samuel

After playing linebacker last season, Richard Samuel agreed to move back to running back after the loss Caleb King and Washaun Ealey.

It's understood that Isaiah Crowell will be the starter if everything goes according to plan, but Samuel is a hard-nose runner that is much needed at the position.

He may not be the full-time starter, but he will see a lot of carries and has the ability to wear down opponents late in games.

QB Aaron Murray

Aaron Murray had a great season last year, but there is room for improvement.

During the Mark Richt era, sophomore quarterbacks tend to play better than in their freshman year, and as a result, the Bulldogs end up in a major BCS bowl.

Murray had one of the best freshman seasons for any Georgia QB, so the pressure is going to be on him to lead the Dawgs to the promise land.

WR Marlon Brown

Everyone has been waiting for Marlon Brown to take the next step.

Is this the year he does it?

He has all the tools to be an elite SEC receiver, but it has not come together. Another year working with Murray, plus A.J. Green gone should help Brown get more touches.

WR Rantaviuos Wooten

With Tavarres King taking the No. 1 receiver spot, Rantavious Wooten looks to hold down the No. 2 position.

If he is able to step up his game, this offense will be dangerous because he is a speedster that can go deep at any given point of a game.

LB Jarvis Jones

Jarvis Jones will be an impact player for the Bulldogs.

That is, if he is not suspended for the 2011 season.

Jones, a former USC linebacker before transferring to Athens, is slated to be the starter, and he could be the answer Georgia was looking for on defense. But again, this is if he is eligible to play this season.

LB Alec Ogletree

The former safety had a solid 2010 season and is looking to have a better 2011 season playing at a new position.

Alec Ogletree is known for hitting hard and good coverage skills and should fit right in at inside linebacker.

If all goes well, he could go down as one of the best linebackers in UGA history.

CB Branden Smith

Branden Smith is one of the most athletic players on the roster, but he has to show coaches he can be more consistent in the return game and playing corner.

Smith is expected to play the No. 2 or No. 3 corner as well as helping return kicks and playing a little offense.

If he players mistake-free football this season, he will be a threat for opponents.

CB Brandon Boykin

The defensive backs had a rough 2010 season, but Brandon Boykin was probably the best out of the bunch.

He could have entered the NFL Draft after last season, but decided to stay his senior year to help the Bulldogs win a title. Or he could have stayed to improve his draft stock because he is also an elite returner.

S Bacarri Rambo

Eighty-two tackles and three interceptions is not bad for Bacarri Rambo. But he knows if he had better numbers, the team would have had a better record.

Rambo was named to the preseason second team All-SEC by Athlon Sports, and if he is able to improve on last year's numbers, he will be a definite first-team all-conference performer.

S Shawn Williams

After putting in the work on special teams, Shawn Williams gets the opportunity to be the full-time starter at free safety. Williams had a great spring and the coaches are hoping he can build on that when the season kicks off in September.

K Blair Walsh

In all honesty, Blair Walsh doesn't have that much to gain this season, but at the same time he does.

He can break Billy Bennett's record for points scored and has yet to win the Lou Groza Award. So if he's able to accomplish those two things, he will go down as the best kicker in UGA history.