Today I read that another player left the team, LB Brandon Burrows. Of course also earlier this week Crowell's former Carver HS teammate and UGA teammate, Q. Harrow left the team due to academics. So, with all these kids leaving before fall camp has even started, without knowing the suspensions for several of our top defensive players, it is easy to see why a lot of fans in the Bulldog nation are a little bit concerned. I admit, I am also a bit concerned. (Oh yeah, throw in the fact that our of our 19 signees, one has already been denied admission, John Atkins the big DL, while Leonard Floyd the LB/DE prospect still has not cleared the NCAA clearinghouse-whatever the heck that is). So, with all the doom and gloom and worrying about our numbers etc, I wanted to throw together my quick predicted starting two deep roster. Yes, we have some holes here and there but I think when folks look at the depth chart, they realize that sure, we don't have a ton of depth but I do think we have enough to make it. Also keep in mind, besides that enourmous game in week 2, our first 4 games should provide us with time to easy our young pups into place and get them some very valuable game experience while we wait on the suspended kids to come back. Remember, none of our suspensions should last more than 4 games and here again is our first 4 games-
| Sep. 1 | Buffalo | ||
| Sep. 8 | at Missouri | ||
| Sep. 15 | Florida Atlantic | ||
| Sep. 22 | Vanderbilt |
Three home games, yes Vandy gave us fits last year, but I expect a pretty dominating effort this year-playing at home, the CROWD will certainly be fired up for Vandy which might be a first. I think the players, especially defensive, will be really fired up. Missouri is really a huge test and I think that is the game that we are really going to have to hope our young offensive line can step it up and help us score some points. I fully expect that out of the first four games, that trip to Columbia will be a game where our defense has the potential to give up some yardage and points, so our offense needs to be ready. Let's first take a look at our defensive depth chart and I have plugged in some true FR in some spots where I think they have a legit shot to get some serious PT. I think our coaches, realizing that we have some many players that will leave after this 2012 season, are going to get a lot of kids playing time on the defensive side.
DE
Abry Jones SR
Garrison Smith JR
Jonathan Taylor FR
DE
Cornelius Washington SR
Ray Drew Soph
Sterling Bailey RFR
NT
John Jenkins SR
Kwame Geathers JR
Mike Thornton Soph
LB
Chase Vasser JR/Ramik Wilson Soph
Jordan Jenkins FR
Josh Harvey Clemons (this kid could move to safety considering lack of depth there and him being so skinny-undersized for LB at this point in his development)
LB
Jarvis Jones JR
TJ Stripling JR
Reuben Faloughi JR
Dexter Morant Soph
LB
Alec Ogletree JR (faces one or two game suspension)
Christian Robinson SR
LB
Mike Gilliard SR
Amarlo Herrera Soph
CB
Sanders Commings SR (faces two game suspension)
Malcolm Mitchell Soph
Devin Bowman RFR
Sheldon Dawson FR (this kid WILL play, just matter of where??)
CB
Branden Smith SR (faces possible one or more game suspension-best guess is one game)
Damian Swann Soph
S
Shawn Williams SR
Corey Moore Soph
S
Bacarri Rambo SR (faces as much as a 4 game suspension)
Connor Norman JR
Marc Deas Soph
The only defensive players in this class I see getting redshirted, or potentially redshirted would be Floyd (if he makes it in), Deloach, and Josh Dawson.
If you look ahead to next year, you see a reason for concern. I really like Garrison Smith at DE, I also think Ray Drew will be a monster coming back next year, but I would be willing to bet we have a hole at NT for next year-thus why the loss of Atkins could be a big blow. We also will have some concerns at LB-Jarvis and Alec more than likely leave, Robinson and Gilliard also leave, same with the secondary where all 4 starters WILL leave as they are all seniors. I think this depth chart is why we are making such a strong push for Reuben Foster, also have a few other elite defensive players we are going strong after. I doubt many defensives will have as many spots open in their two deep as we will next year. That being said, I am excited about the future of Drew, Jonathan Taylor, Jordan Jenkins, Josh Harvey Clemons, Damain Swann, Corey Moore and Sheldon Dawson. We will have a good amount of talent kids returning next year but depth wise it could be a little scary-thus why I hope our coaches do let pretty much every possible kid play this year, and then of course the kids coming in the class of 2013 need to be ready to play.
Now looking at our offense, I think you could make a case that besides our QB, our future might look brighter than our current. Reason being, we have a lot of youth on this side of the ball, now especially at RB, and the OL. I personally feel like this group of RB's and OL will be better than what we had last year. I am also very comfortable and confident in our WR core, even with Mitchell splitting time. I was very impressed with TKing's play most of last year, I think he is ready to step up big this year. Also very impressed with the play of Michael Bennett and Chris Conley. Factor in a returning big target in Marlon Brown-who is playing for his potential future this last year, I am really encouraged. I also was really impressed with the speed and athletic ability I saw out of Justin Scott-Wesley in the spring game. He appears ready to really help out with depth. We lost Orson Charles at TE but we have two really solid players returning Arthur Lynch and Jay Rome-another star of the spring game. The OL of course is the big concern and now that Crowell is not around any longer, we again will turn to FR running backs to help us out. Here is a look at the depth chart-
QB
Aaron Murray JR
Hutson Mason JR or Christian LeMay RFR
TB
Ken Malcome Soph
Keith Marshall FR
Todd Gurley FR
FB
Richard Samuel SR (could move back to TB)
Zander Olgetree JR
Quayvon Hicks FR (I think this kid could start by mid season)
Merritt Hall FR (currently listed as starter but can't see him playing except mop up duty)
WR
Tavarres King SR
Chris Conley Soph
R. Wooten JR
J. Scott-Wesley RFR (watch out for this kid with his blazing speed)
WR
Marlon Brown SR
Michael Bennett Soph
Blake Tibbs FR (could possibly redshirt but if Mitchell stays at DB more than expected, he should get some PT)
TE
Arthur Lynch JR
Jay Rome RFR
Ty Smith FR
OT
Kenarious Gates JR
Austin Long JR
Xzavier Ward RFR
OT
Kolton Houston Soph
John Theus FR
Watts Dantzler Soph
OG
Dallas Lee JR
Mark Beard Soph
OG
Chris Burnette JR
Hunter Long Soph
C
David Andrews Soph
Chris Burnette JR
Also potentially getting PT on the OL would be Zach Debell, and potentially the other OL in the class of 2012 Greg Pyke although I think he is headed for a redshirt personally. The ONLY offensive recruits I can see getting redshirted would be Pyke, Tibbs and Faton Bauta-the Tebow clone QB that I still personally believe could be an impact at either TE or LB. The kid currently is 6-3 225lbs and runs a 4.5, I can see him putting on about 10-15 lbs and being a great looking player at OLB with that speed and at 6-3 240, WOW.
Also of course Marshall Morgan and Colin Barber, K and P respectively, will be relied on to win the starting jobs as kickers and hopefully do a decent job there. We had two SR kickers last year and both struggled at times, I would imagine the results we see this year would be very similar so we have to hope we rely on especially our K less than we did last year-change that mindset when calling plays and not settle for FG's. I expect the punter will do an adequate enough job IF he can get the snap and kick QUICKLY enough-we did have several blocked last year with a veteran kicker-VANDY game anyone.
So, even with the losses last week and this week, we still have enough talent to win a lot of games this year and really the losses we have had to this point, do not impact us as much as many fear. The loss of IC is a big loss just based on his talent alone but we have two highly touted RB's coming in-one even went through spring practice and is ready to roll in Marshall, also in limited duty Malcome didn't do so bad, and of course Samuel is always there as an insurance policy.
Last little bit is about recruiting for the class of 2013. We have 19 verbal commitments, which as we all know mean NOTHING until the kid signs in Feb. That being said, with a chance to sign over 30 kids, there are a LOT of elite level kids we are still very much in the running for. Check out this list of prospects that UGA is still VERY much in line to sign-this from Rivals 250 list.
#2
|
LB
|
Auburn, ALAuburn Foster recorded 185 tackles with 14 sacks during his junior season.
|
5 stars
|
6'2"
|
228
|
yes, committed to Bama for now but many now feel he will flip to UGA-has a lot of friends that already have pledged to UGA and the kid continues to visit the campus time after time. He of course moved from LaGrange, GA over to Auburn, AL to play his last year of HS football.
#7
|
OL
|
Lake City, FLColumbia Tunsil is an incredibly athletic offensive tackle prospect with a great frame to add bulk. He has been an all-area player the past two years.
|
5 stars
|
6'6"
|
295
|
This kid recently visited UGA and LOVED it, as did his Mom. Once thought to be a heavy Gator lean, now it appears UGA has a big lead for him. Let's hope so as we need more elite OL in our program.
#10
|
DT
|
Vienna, GADooly County Adams registered 45 tackles for loss and 10 sacks as a junior.
|
5 stars
|
6'3"
|
290
|
At one time said he would leave the state but has visited and likes UGA now. But, we need to get him and Mom back to campus ASAP because now that Nkemdiche is off to Clemson, we need to land this kid badly. Ironically, Clemson might be his leader right now.
#31
|
WR
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Charlotte, NCMallard Creek North had 39 receptions for 1,000-plus yards and 19 touchdowns in 2011.
|
4 stars
|
6'3"
|
205
|
We might be a long shot with this kid but we have room for another WR in this class and we are recruiting this kid hard. We do have the two RB's out of NC and LeMay already pledged from NC so maybe we can pull in another.
#38
|
ATH
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Yulee, FLYulee Henry rushed for 2,610 yards and 33 touchdowns as a junior.
|
4 stars
|
6'3"
|
241
|
One time verbal to UGA now has Bama as his leader?? They already have pledges from two elite level RB's including #53 on the list Tenpenny from Ark. With Crowell gone, he might give UGA a second look now?
#137
|
LB
|
Indianapolis, INWarren Central Kimbrough finished 2011 with 179 tackles, 27 tackles for loss and eight sacks.
|
4 stars
|
6'1"
|
226
|
This kid supposedly really likes us, hard to imagine getting a kid from Big10 country but we are in the running.
#138
|
DT
|
Hoschton, GAMill Creek Griffin was chosen to play in the 2011 Georgia Junior Bowl.
|
4 stars
|
6'1"
|
289
|
This is a big kid, has been interested in UGA for a while but might be leaning out of state.
#155
|
DB
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Rossville, GARidgeland Bell recorded 180 total tackles with 119 solo stops in 2011.
|
4 stars
|
6'1"
|
190
|
Same HS as current UGA DB Devin Bowman but this kid loves UT and Ohio State, UGA probably 3rd but we could use him.
#204
|
RB
|
Elberton, GAElbert County Dye finished his junior season with 212 carries for 1,561 yards and 21 touchdowwns.
|
4 stars
|
6'0"
|
200
|
This kid might give us a look now that Crowell is gone, same for next on this list.
#216
|
RB
|
Norcross, GANorcross The speedy Kamara rushed for 1,300-plus yards with 17 touchdowns as a junior.
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4 stars
|
5'10"
|
190
|
This kid is very good friends with a lot of current verbal comittments, some believe he will ultimately say yes to the red and black.
There are few other kids that are not on the Rivals lists we are going after strong as well, and stand a good shot to get but you can see there are still a lot of elite level talent kids looking at us. I hope this year provides them a great example of the type of program UGA can and will be if we have the best players, to go along with a good group of coaches that are not only good coaches but quality men. I know our fan base just like any others will always have doubts about certain coaches and players as well, but I really do like our coaching staff and I think they sell our program/university very well. They might not win as much as we want but we win with class and dignity, our head coach truly does care about the kids he brings into the program and I honestly don't see that at many of the schools within our own conference.
All for now, hope everyone has a great weekend and stays nice and cool. This heat is really intense and you have to believe this is only the beginning of what will be a long HOT summer. Go Dogs.
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