UGA depth chart shows opportunities for incoming ‘Dream Team’

Officially the football depth chart released Monday by UGA is labeled “post-spring,” but it might as well be designated the “placeholder” chart.

As was painfully clear if you read past the top names at several positions (and even if you only read the top names at a couple), there are going to be chances for some members of Mark Richt’s “Dream Team” to battle for playing time early in their collegiate careers.

Mostly, the depth chart played out like you’d expect from what the coaches have been saying since G-Day, but one of the eye-openers was tailback, where Caleb King was listed as the starter, as expected, with diminutive Carlton Thomas (5-feet-7, 163 pounds) next, followed surprisingly by equally diminutive walk-on Brandon Harton (5-feet-6, 174 pounds) ahead of the much talked about redshirt freshman Ken Malcome. This could, of course, merely be a reflection of hard-working Harton having made a really good showing in the spring while Malcome was hobbled with hamstring problems. At least, that’s what I’m hoping. Obviously, the arrival of Isaiah Crowell will shake this chart up considerably.

Then there’s the offensive line, where there was no surprise in the starters listed (Cordy Glenn at left tackle, Kenarious Gates left guard, Ben Jones center, Chris Burnette right guard and Justin Anderson right tackle), but you got slapped in the face with just how thin Georgia is on the line by seeing walk-on Hugh Williams listed second at left tackle. In reality, Richt has said that if either starting tackle goes down, Gates will switch over from guard, but any SEC depth chart that lists a walk-on as the main backup is cause for concern.

The listing of Sanders Commings still at cornerback wasn’t really a surprise, but the coaches have said he’ll probably get another look in August at safety, where Shawn Williams currently is listed as starter as strong safety and Jakar Hamilton is backing up Bacarri Rambo at free safety.

Playing freshmen on the OL would be strictly a worst-case scenario, but besides Crowell, John Jenkins on the defensive line, Ray Drew getting a look at linebacker, and plenty of opportunity for Malcolm Mitchell at wide receiver, the secondary is definitely the area where we’re likely to see a true freshman (Damian Swann, Nick Marshall or Corey Moore) get some playing time.

I’m sure for several of Georgia’s position coaches, August can’t come soon enough.

A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

I was at lunch over in Athens Monday with my brother Jon and his UGA student daughter when my niece was greeted by a man she’s met while working as a waitress at a downtown restaurant. The guy is a street artist and showed her his two latest works featuring a Georgia Bulldog theme. They were really good. That in itself wouldn’t be unusual in Athens, but the man has no arms and draws his amazing works by holding a marker in his teeth. He didn’t stay long, but while there he talked about what a “blessing” his artistic ability is and how he likes to provide an example to others that “you can do anything you want to.”

I’m going to try and keep that guy in mind next time I feel like complaining. About anything.

ONE MORE THING

Happy birthday wishes to Bob Dylan, who’s 70 today, and my son Bill, who’s 26!

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— Bill King, Junkyard Blawg