Dogs’ Alec Ogletree changes positions
ATHENS — There’s an interesting — and significant — position change on Georgia’s football team.
Former five-star recruit Alec Ogletree, who played safety as a freshman last season, will move to inside linebacker when spring practice starts next week, defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said Thursday.
“Basically, every year what you do is you evaluate the players you have, and you look at your needs,” Grantham said. “He’s a tall guy; he’s got good size; he can run and hit, and he’s physical. I feel like moving him closer to the ball is going to allow him to make more plays and be more productive for us.
“I’m really excited because I think by moving him there it will allow us to put Jarvis [Jones, who was redshirted last season after transferring from USC] at outside ‘backer.”
The 6-foot-3, 224-pound Ogletree started four games last season.
As a senior at Newnan High School in 2009, he was rated the nation’s No. 2 safety prospect by MaxPreps.com and the No. 3 outside linebacker prospect by Scout.com.
Georgia returns one starter at inside linebacker, Christian Robinson, and also is intrigued about the potential at the position of Richard Samuel, who was redshirted last season after shifting from tailback.
Grantham said returning starter Bacarri Rambo can play either safety position and that returning lettermen Jakar Hamilton and Shawn Williams, as well as redshirt freshman Marc Deas, “are going to get their opportunity in the spring to show us what they can do with the system and how productive they can be.”
Etc.
In moves that had been expected, Richt said Cordy Glenn will move from offensive guard to offensive tackle, and Grantham said DeAngelo Tyson will move from nose guard to defensive end and Justin Anderson from the defensive line back to the offensive line. . . . Richt said new inside linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti will be in charge of the kickoff coverage unit.
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147 comments Add your comment
dawg gone
March 3rd, 2011
8:37 pm
jackoff “we” aren’t….. your all alone with your Buggish self. Just you your love doll and fading dreams of CPJ’s offense.
Walterego
March 3rd, 2011
8:38 pm
The movement of Justin Anderson back and forth all over the place lends me no confidence in this coaching staff to best determine where a person should play now or in the future. I just hope that the coaching staff actually believes this is in the interest of Ogletree as well. He was the top safety prospect in the nation. Not the top LB prospect. What made him special was his size and hitting AT THE SAFETY POSITION. He likely won’t be just another LB, but his capacity to be special as a linebacker would seem far less as there are alot of 6′3″ 224 lb linebackers.
Bama blows
March 3rd, 2011
8:40 pm
Innocent by stander…… David pollack came in as a full back and they moved him turned out good… Thomas Davis they moved from linebacker to safety turned out good kentrel curry reciever to safety turned out good Sean jones from qb to safety turned out good Bruce thorten from running back to corner turned out good. So remember the good changes to now!
deep ball
March 3rd, 2011
8:40 pm
Didn’t see this one coming! I thought Ogletree was set to be a stud at safety for the next 3 years. hope he dominates at mlb. Safety play last year was terrible, but I’m pulling for hamilton and rambo to silence the critics. LB core could move from a ? Mark to a strength. Go Dawgs!
dawg gone
March 3rd, 2011
8:41 pm
Walterego no a coaching staff that REALLY needs to have a good season would of course move players around just for the hell of it…are you really high or dumb?
Dawg Consultant
March 3rd, 2011
8:43 pm
I think moving him to linebacker is a good move. The kid will easily be 235 lbs by the time he is a junior or senior. Jimmy Johnson, the old Miami/Dallas Cowboys coach (who I consider to be the greatest evaluator of college talent ever), said often that its better to have a extremely fast average sized linebacker who can explode at the point of attack than a big safety with average speed. Based on that reasoning I think the move makes sense.
Alec is a tremendous hitter, who seemed lost at times in coverage last year. Granted he was a true freshman playing in the SEC, and I don’t doubt he would have improved tremendously. Nonetheless, linebacker will be an easier transition for him, and you will really see how great a hitter this guy is in confined spaces.
I also thought, he would be an outside linebacker, but the coaches know best.
All in all — strong move and I can’t wait for Boise State.
BTW I think our starting linebackers will be Robinson, Samuel, Washington and Jarvis Jones. I suspect at least 6 backers will be in the rotation though and see signifigant time.
dawg gone
March 3rd, 2011
8:51 pm
Dawg Consultant great post !
layinlow
March 3rd, 2011
8:55 pm
Not suprising at all. I always thought ogletree was going to grow into a linebacker. In fact some of the recruiting services were projecting him as a linebacker coming out of high shool. By the time he fills out he could be 240-250 lbs and too big to play safety so the move was probably the right choice.
Crimedog
March 3rd, 2011
9:04 pm
Alec Ogletree, hmmm. Where did I see that name. Could it be the police blotter?
layinlow
March 3rd, 2011
9:06 pm
One of the greatest moves in UGA history had to be Robert Edwards from defense to running back.
What happens to the rest
March 3rd, 2011
9:13 pm
@ Dawg Consultant – Robinson needs to learn how to run to the ball and tackle / wrap up. He was disappointing in the number of bad angles or missed tackles. He should really focus on technique in the off season or he may find himself watching from the side lines.
I will be watching closely this spring to see what we look like. Right now, optimism is high… I think Jones and Samuel are athletic. Ogletree ran sideline to sideline hitting in high school and last year. We need to get them ready to step up this year…
OkieDawg
March 3rd, 2011
9:13 pm
@Walterego…I understand your concern about Justin “Bean” Anderson being moved from O-line to D-line and if he will move back to the O-line. But, Justin did have turf toe last year and anyone who has suffered turf toe (an injury to the joint and connective tissue between the foot and one of the toes) knows it is impossible to explode off the ball on defense or likewise, impossible to run block on offense. It was not a matter of coaching confidence, it was a matter of we need size at nose tackle and then an injury ocurred. I am all in for Bean and I am glad you recognize this young man has talent and WILL contribute. By the way, the misdemeanor charge against Bean was totally bogus. He is a good and humble young man who does everything that any coach expects of him. His only fault is…..he can eat more than I can contribute
layinlow
March 3rd, 2011
9:14 pm
Walterego, do you really think an 18 year old who is 6′ 3″ 224 lbs is not going to gain weight in a college training program? This kid is going to fill out and I think the coaches always had a good idea he would eventually be moved to linebacker. Brian Urlacher started out as a safety in college as well. In todays game safeties need to have a ton of range because of the continued evolution of the passing game. Alec was just getting too big to stay at safety. With his speed and hitting ability the move to linebacker was a smart one.
Delta Flight Attendent
March 3rd, 2011
9:20 pm
When will they move Murray to Cheerleader and LeMay to the ACC Police Blotter?
dawg gone
March 3rd, 2011
9:26 pm
Delta Flight Attendent well that will happen when you start charging more than 25 bucks for “love me long time”
1st grader
March 3rd, 2011
9:27 pm
@Delta Flight AttendEnt: By the way, if you are a flight attendAnt, then you may want to learn how to spell AttendAnt correctly. Other than that display of total ignorance on your part, what does your post have to do with reality or UGA football?
real move
March 3rd, 2011
9:28 pm
Let me read in between the lines and translate the bullsh@t for y’all. Everybody’s 5-star recruit is not athletic enough to play safety in the SEC. They did not even move him to S/S or OLB. They are be disappointed with this kid, trust me.
CHUCK UGA
March 3rd, 2011
9:31 pm
I don’t like it. Ogletree should stay at safety and be a “head-hunter” type like Thomas Davis and Greg Blue were. Tell you what, hope this all works because Richt’s and Grantham’s jobs are clearly on the line. Hope they don’t screw up.
Carlton
March 3rd, 2011
9:36 pm
I’m not opposed to this move but this MUST mean the new S&C program is working very well. Alec was pretty skinny as a safety last year.
OkieDawg
March 3rd, 2011
9:39 pm
Hey Chuck UGA, I’m with you Bro. But remember, there is over $4 million in coaching salaries making the call. I bet if we combined our salaries, they would not approach $4 mill. So, let’s hope we are geting our monies worth. (If you make a gazillion bucks, I’m sorry I questioned your income. I’m just going with what I know about my income and the average of the rest of us working slugs).
extrapoint
March 3rd, 2011
9:47 pm
Watching Alec play last year, he seem slow for the position. While anticipation is important to play in the secondary, you need speed. While he may be too slow for the secondary, he may have great speed for a linebacker and size.
Chase from UGA
March 3rd, 2011
9:50 pm
Wait and see, Richard Samuel is going to be a beast next year!
Thuga
March 3rd, 2011
10:03 pm
Keep it classy thuga! How many arrests this upcoming weekend?
mgdawg
March 3rd, 2011
10:04 pm
I’m kind of scared for the secondary, but that is going to be an extremely talented linebacking corp. I really don’t like any of the remaining safeties.
person
March 3rd, 2011
10:08 pm
It seems like if the UGA Athletic director read some of these threads the football team would be perennial champions every year.
People….you are not professional coaches. You do not spends hours on end each day evaluating practice and game tape. You did not dedicate your life to learning the game. You were not hired to coach. Let the guys behind the scenes do their job and you can just sit back and enjoy the show.
Dawg in gatorville
March 3rd, 2011
10:13 pm
They have to beef up the middle, That was more of a problem than getting beat around the corners or on the deep ball. The other teams just ran it down the Dawgs throat..
So with that BIG MAN at nose and the faster line backers, the corners and safety’s will be able to concentrate on the pass more. WE HOPE…
hind tit
March 3rd, 2011
10:17 pm
Good move. Has the size, speed and cover ability that is a must to play in the3 4 defense plus he can hit.
LilburnDawg
March 3rd, 2011
10:18 pm
You guys kill me. since when have you known an guy to stay at his same wieght from high school into the pros? It would have killed Alec to stay at 225lbs for the next 3 years. Now atleast he can finally eat like he wants to and fill out…..he’ll be 240 by the fall bank on it.
SEC champs
March 3rd, 2011
10:26 pm
Dawgs WILL be sec champs this year. Recruiting season was a sign that everything is going to change. This is going to be a really special team.
dawgster
March 3rd, 2011
10:27 pm
Just thought i would throw this out there…does anyone remember how many times we were burnt on the “wheel route” last season…Having Olgetree at ILb will give us someone that can run with those guys just to name one reason i see this as a pretty smart and calculated move…go dawgs
Mr. D. Sanders
March 3rd, 2011
10:57 pm
There have been too many post on this blog about recruits being CB’s, then naturally growing to SS and maturing to LB’s. Remember me? I was a DB at North Fort Meyers High, a DB at Florida State and a DB with several NFL teams. And oh by the way, I just got into the Hall of Fame as a DB. Call me Prime Time or call me Neon, but most of all call me a lifer DB. So, a guy doesn’t go to college a CB as a freshman, a Safety as a Sophmore, a LB as a Junior and a DT as a Senior. It is not a natural progression as so many have indicated. But, CMR and CTG know how to manage their talent and now, let them do their job.
chs98
March 3rd, 2011
10:57 pm
yeah but he will out grow the position of safety. 225 as freshman just imagine when he puts on 15 pounds of muscle and at 6′4 he will be a beast in this scheme. we had houston on outside but no real force inside and he will be that. plushe didnt play the ball that well in deep coverage. he will great in this role i believe. plus the other guys we have and guys coming in we will be fine in secondary. its the sec you have to stop the run and get pressure on qb.
NHS
March 3rd, 2011
11:12 pm
Alec was truly a play-maker at Newnan and I enjoyed watching everyone of his games. I have a feeling he will succeed being a linebacker.
Just Wondering
March 3rd, 2011
11:21 pm
Alec has grown out of his position as safety He has grown taller and put on weight. He can no longer play safety. My question is, has Zander grown taller and put on more weight and grown into a legit LB or FB? Zander produced last year as an undersized freshman and would be awesome with more vertical size.
bruce mac
March 3rd, 2011
11:46 pm
The last three arrests were bees you idiots. Keep to your own kniting, as pitiful as it is.
DIZZY DAWG
March 4th, 2011
12:29 am
FURRRST!!! OUCH, I THINK I RIPPED MY NUT SACK. MY BAD.
RED DOG 77
March 4th, 2011
1:03 am
Sounds pretty dern good to me……..I am convinced Todd Grantham knows his football, and is begining to get “his ” players in place for a butt-kickin 2011 season ! GO DOGS !
Chris Carter
March 4th, 2011
1:08 am
Poor Decision on CTG. Why would you move the best saftey on the roster and put him a ILB? Rambo couldn’t tackle a midget.
((((C’MON MAN)))
bigcalidawg
March 4th, 2011
1:15 am
Dawgster makes a good point. Arky beat us on that wheel route that was left wide open. Perhaps a mobile monster will help in there.
The bowl game sucked, but I couldn’t believe how worried their wr’s were about Tree. He was a distraction, for sure.
I’m thinkin Griffin is ready to play already…..
Bubba
March 4th, 2011
5:24 am
First
woebegong
March 4th, 2011
7:12 am
Red Dawg,
I agree with you. I think our DC is very good. He now knows more about the players he inherited last year, and he knows who he recruited this year. The expectations last year were too high, when you have a new defensive scheme and a new coach. This year I think will see a vast improvement in the defense. He knows how to utilize the personel he has, and UGA has some good atheletes on defense. Adding big J. Jenkins in the middle will make a big difference and Ogletree, being in the middle, with his speed and hitting ability will cut down a lot of the runners, getting free in the second line of defense. We will see a much improved D this year.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGSSSSSSSSS
boss dawg
March 4th, 2011
7:23 am
Dawgster.. Word up…… And anybody who is concerned about Samuel playing LB should look at his High School tapes . He is a beast and he will hurt you.
ugab
March 4th, 2011
7:56 am
Finally!!!someone else is coaching Kickoffs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
tom
March 4th, 2011
8:06 am
I think more than anything this speaks to how good they believe their incoming DB class is. Swann, Mitchell, etc. Plus Ogletree will be 240 by the time he is a senior. He will be a ILB at the next level anyway. Good move to improve the overall speed of the defense. And from what i have heard from some guys who are at practice each day, samuel is an NFL LBer
JB
March 4th, 2011
8:25 am
Jakar needs some coaching bad…………Maybe add some heart also.
wins-by-a-link
March 4th, 2011
8:35 am
Ogletree did not look that good at safety and seems a little small to be playing inside lb, He may be better at CB, He certainly has the speed for that position.
Big Dawg
March 4th, 2011
8:43 am
Alec got burned alot on deep routes last year. I understand he was just a freshman. But him at ILB is better. He’ll be able to lay some wood on those RBs coming through the hole. Hit em enuff, and they’ll start tip toeing through the hole!! Still need safety help. Move B.Smith to safety…get covers alotta ground!! Thats what you need as a safety.
Big Dawg
March 4th, 2011
8:45 am
Plus Samuel loves some contact!! Whoa…i’m glad i’m not facing that LB core from UGA next year!! crickey!! LOL They got some boys who like to cause some pain!!
wiseoldawg
March 4th, 2011
8:48 am
Ogletree will probably add another 10 or 15 pounds before next fall so no worries there. Besides, the greatest 3-4 inside LB of all time, Jack Lambert, was 6-4 and 215 lbs.
South GA Dawg
March 4th, 2011
8:49 am
I think we need to let the coach do his job. UGA is paying him alot of money to make these decisions. UGA has been bad about putting players where they need them instead of where they play best. It is a coaching decision and I trust him to do the best for the team.