Ten players to watch in Bulldogs’ spring football practice
Georgia starts spring football practice on Thursday afternoon. Here are 10 players whose progress, I think, will be particularly interesting to follow from then through the G-Day game on April 16:
1. Alec Ogletree: After starting four games at safety as a true freshman last season, Ogletree moves to inside linebacker, where defensive coordinator Todd Grantham says the former scout.com five-star recruit can be a “unique” talent.
2. Jarvis Jones: One offshoot of Ogletree’s move from safety to inside linebacker is that Jones, who was redshirted last season after transferring from USC, will settle at outside linebacker. It previously was unclear whether he’d play inside or outside. Big things are expected and needed from him.
3. Bruce Figgins: It’s pretty unusual for a fifth-year senior to make a significant position change, but Figgins’ shift from tight end, perhaps the team’s deepest position, to fullback, perhaps its thinnest, qualifies. He could be a major contributor if he takes to the new spot.
Washaun Ealey (UGA photo)
4. Washaun Ealey: He has been Georgia’s leading rusher each of the past two years, but he clearly needs to have a good spring after an inconsistent 2010 season, an off-season suspension and the pending arrival of prized recruit Isaiah Crowell.
5. Ken Malcome: The tailback from Southwest DeKalb was redshirted last season but drew praise for his work on the practice field late in the season. He’ll get a chance this spring to show how he stacks up against the more veteran tailbacks Ealey, Caleb King and Carlton Thomas.
6. Trinton Sturdivant: After missing almost all of the 2008 and 2009 seasons because of knee surgeries, Sturdivant got through last season healthy. He gained more confidence in his health — and more playing time — as the season went along. Now, after briefly considering the NFL draft, he’s back for his senior season at left tackle and a chance to pick up where he left off as a freshman All-American in 2007. He’ll be working with a new offensive line coach this spring, Will Friend.
7. Christian LeMay: A member of the 2011 signing class, the quarterback from North Carolina enrolled in school in January and will participate in spring practice. While there is no doubt Aaron Murray, barring injury, will be the starting quarterback, it’ll be interesting to get a glimpse of LeMay’s potential.
8. Marlon Brown: He caught only 13 passes in his first two seasons at Georgia, but the wide receiver from Memphis –- a much-touted signee in February 2009 — has an opportunity for a starting job as the Bulldogs rebuild the wide receiver corps post-A.J. Green.
9. Kwame Geathers: John Jenkins, the celebrated JUCO nose guard, won’t arrive until summer, and with DeAngelo Tyson’s move to defensive end, Geathers has the stage this spring to show what he can do at the nose.
10. Richard Samuel: He was the Bulldogs’ starting tailback at the beginning of the 2009 season, then was slowed by injury and eventually redshirted after a move to linebacker last year. His progress at inside linebacker bears watching closely this spring.
So … which players, among these or others, will have your attention during spring practice?
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362 comments Add your comment
DawginLex
March 9th, 2011
9:06 am
Tressel did the same thing Pearl did. He lied to the NCAA.
You can’t do that and not pay a price.
I still think Pearl did much more because he orchestrated a series of lies including telling his coaches to lie.
Tressel didn’t disclose information that he knew about.
I think Pearl gets suspended for a year and Tressel gets the 2 game suspension.
I think Tressel survives but Pearl won’t.
Bubbatavious
March 9th, 2011
9:06 am
We need dem corn fed boys on dem lines.
dawgfan
March 9th, 2011
9:07 am
I think we should try Sturdivant at defensive tackle, Caleb King at safety, and move Figgins back to tight end. No wait, let’s try Sturdivant at tight end. Maybe we could put Orson Charles at defensive end.
Good grief. I have never seen so many position changes in my life. What in the hell are these coaches doing? Do they even know? Am I the only one that’s troubled by this?
Bubbatavious
March 9th, 2011
9:08 am
we dont need dem corn rolls ear bling boys no mo.
Beast from the East
March 9th, 2011
9:09 am
DawginLex,
I agree. Pearl gets the hook and Tressel gets a pass, because it’s……..Ohio State. The Big 10 cannot afford to have their one and only BCS contender take too big of a hit.
BB
March 9th, 2011
9:09 am
I havn’t seen any evidence yet that murray’s even above average, much less great. I don’t see where these people come from, must be basing it on his 16 td’s against losing teams. Wow, impressive? Should have been 30.
Beast from the East
March 9th, 2011
9:10 am
BB,
Why are you so obsessed with Murray? What team do you call your own?
Dumb ole dogs
March 9th, 2011
9:10 am
UGASlobberknocker, Why can’t you believe that tech won in 90 ? They were great that year obviously. Don’t let hatred for Tech blind you to a Fact!
Richard Simmons
March 9th, 2011
9:12 am
I have notice Aaron walks a little tight and light sometimes when running onto the field.
RabidDawgFan
March 9th, 2011
9:13 am
BB, you little bytch.
Pago Pago DAWG
March 9th, 2011
9:13 am
Looks like ohio state is the “thug u” of the north. Actually, Toledo can give them a pretty good
game on Sept. 10th. The following week, Boise State goes to the Glass Bowl.
Buckeye
March 9th, 2011
9:15 am
Beast,
While I appreciate your attempt of humor in reference to one of our most, if not our most beloved traditions, I believe the correct response is he neglected to hit the “forward” button.
Interesting mix of opinion out there. In fact, I’ve learned I have a counterpart in Columbus under the name ‘SECINCOLUMBUS”. Go figure.
tide roll
March 9th, 2011
9:16 am
STURDIVANT, GATES, BURNETTE, ANDERSON,GLENN, with FIGGINS at Fullback, and you win the SEC. You have the most talent of anyone on your offensive line, and you WON”T PLAY THEM! It’s got to be infuriating.
BB
March 9th, 2011
9:36 am
Murray will end up costing Richt his job at Georgia. But it’s Richt’s fault for being stubborn and sticking with QB’s who arn’t the best on your team.
DawginLex
March 9th, 2011
9:37 am
tide roll can you not read?
figgins was moved to fullback.
Anderson was moved back to OL
I have my head buried in the sand.. I an a Luckeye fan
March 9th, 2011
9:38 am
O S Who?? Big 10 (or was it 11?? or is it now 12 but still gonna be called 10?)
Can that cheater now quit wearing the gay ’sleezeless’ sweaters??
Have to say that a 2 gamer is BS.. They open with no one until atleast game 5… They are an all around scumbag school.. LACK OF INSTITUTIONAL CONTROL.. To hold out like that just to break their LOSERS streak vs the SEC is LOL as they will have an ** by it.. The NCAA needs to sit the scumbag that is their HC for atleast 6 games & NO WAY should they ease any time off for the cheating players.. & pull some (like maybe 5 for a few years) schollies… Now I hope the media removes the halo that’s been upon this now uncovered cheating program, led by their ‘holier than thou’ Head Coach!!! The more I read about these kind of coaches & men that are supposed to change boys & lead them into manhood, the more I love & respect CMR…
DawginLex
March 9th, 2011
9:38 am
And BB is still FOS
nerds! nerds! nerds!
March 9th, 2011
9:44 am
Where has Buckeye been? Jim Tressel is corrupt. Don’t believe me? Read for yourself.
http://www.610wtvn.com/pages/template/tressels_emails_march2011.pdf
tide roll
March 9th, 2011
9:48 am
Let me get this straight. After an honest evaluation of talent by Bobo and friend, you guys have opted to sign John Theus rather than Brandon Greene, a 6′6″ 300lb offensive tackle from Cedar Grove High who Coach Ray Bonner says is the best offensive line prospect he’s ever had. Greene will be a 30 game starter for us at left tackle just like Augusta’s JAMES CARPENTER. ROLL TIDE AND THANKS AGAIN UGA. It’s like ground hog day up there with Bobo. Nothing ever changes. He’s giving us yet another Georgia stud! Incredilble! Hope he and Boca stay at UGA forever. Those two are our greatest resource! ROLL TIDE!.
Buckeye
March 9th, 2011
9:48 am
nerds,
I’ve been right here. Posted here yesterdy AM including the first si.com Mandel column.
Funny, on the Dispatch blog (www.dispatch.com) we’ve had national comments that we should jon the SEC where we belong. Why would they say that??
snoopy
March 9th, 2011
9:54 am
If we get the O-Line situated & allow for them to gel, we’ll be very good. Give Murray 4 – 5 seconds in the pocket & he’s as good as any in the SEC (the best conference in the USA)..
I hope the development of second teammers (Harmon, Houston, Lee, Burnette) is where it needs to be. and any word on the recoveries of Brent Benedict & Austin Long)..
Will be nice to see the FB position once again blow up folks with Figgins like we did with Southerland!!
Jackson
March 9th, 2011
9:55 am
I think the two stories to watch are the moves of Figgins and Ogletree. I think the moves themselves speak more to a lack of talent and depth at those positions than in anything else. For us old Falcon fans (well, maybe not that old), I figure Figgins is going to be more of an H back versus a true Full back. This would go in alignment with the play calling with Muntz and Chapas over the past couple of seasons…. You will see H backs do more motion than you see with a true I formation fullback. I think it reflects highly on Figgins to recognize the talent level will not allow you to play but hey if you take on this role you will start every week. Smart move…
Now to Ogletree… I really like the thought process of CTG on this one. What he did was to look at his players and see he needs a little more at LB. I think this move reminds me of Thomas Davis getting moved from Safety in college to OLB for the Panthers. I think Ogletree has the size and speed on the inside to be effective. Will he be a dominant ILB… no. He is not a stout run stopper. Having said that, defensive adjustments to offensive schemes every year must be done. In this case, by placing agility and speed on the inside, you are effectively creating a player who can avoid blocks well. What does that mean? Simply put, every team that runs the spread killed us last year. Having the agility inside helps to neutralize the read option. Additionally, it allows a edge rusher to blitz the middle…. And I think CTG thought that although Ogletree was probably the best safety he felt that the step off in talent was lower at safety than linebacker. This strategy will be deemed a success or failure not after the BSU game but when SC comes to town.
BB
March 9th, 2011
9:58 am
Where do you guys think Figgins, Ealey, Mason & Lemay will go when they transfer this summer? I’ve got Figgins to Miami, Ealey to LSU, and Lemay to Arkansas. Also have Mason transferring to Florida to be coached by Weis.
snoopy
March 9th, 2011
9:59 am
Uhhh Buckeye…
Maybe they made the suggestion to join the SEC as to becoming a winning conference?? There has been no fantom calls needed to win NC’s in the SEC…
nerds! nerds! nerds!
March 9th, 2011
10:00 am
What’s your take on it Buckeye? Did you read the e-mails? Do you believe that a 2 game suspension for Tressel is fair?
If the NCAA isn’t careful, they will fall apart.
BB
March 9th, 2011
10:01 am
After the way Ealey’s been treated at Georgia, I can’t see any way he stays. Man, he scored 11 td’s last year to King’s 2, and still Bobo played King because King was Bobo’s favorite. ealey’s silence on his future speaks loudly.
nerds! nerds! nerds!
March 9th, 2011
10:04 am
BB
You sir are a moron.
Tony Montana
March 9th, 2011
10:06 am
BB has a man crush for Murray…….He has secret fantasies of him but uses reverse psychology on these blogs……….The obsession is out of lust………………I ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH, EVEN WHEN I LIE!
BB
March 9th, 2011
10:11 am
If it isn’t obvious yet I have no idea what I am talking about.
BB
March 9th, 2011
10:11 am
Go Tech baby!
TRUDAWG
March 9th, 2011
10:15 am
Do ya’ll thiank that triple HHH is gone beat the undertaker at Wrastlemania?
Summit Dawg
March 9th, 2011
10:16 am
Washaun Ealey……needs to touch the ball more times in a game than Bobo allowed him
to in ‘09, and ‘10!!!! He scored seven td’s in a game in high school, and that was in the first
half as the coach didn’t play him in the second hallf!!!
If BB is still on her you
March 9th, 2011
10:18 am
are an idiot. If you send a million posts you should at least know what you are talking about.
BB
March 9th, 2011
10:21 am
Ealey to LSU….
dawgforlife
March 9th, 2011
10:22 am
my two favorites…BB and tide roll…tide who won’t be satisfied until the NAACP investigates why UGA’s entire team isn’t black…and BB who hates everything Ga and has us lining up the cheerleaders as players after everyone transfers…I’ll have to say tide…at least you let your fondness for Ala. be known in your bashing…I am not exactly sure who BB cheers for…must be Fla cause he is so angry Murray chose UGA. Anyway, I can’t argue last seasons production on the field. I’ll just say this, I think 2011 will be much better…and I suppose as always differences will be worked out on the field.
BB
March 9th, 2011
10:22 am
Love my imposter fans at 10:11, it invigorates me because I just WIN!
BB
March 9th, 2011
10:23 am
Ok, let’s just play pretend, and act like Richt didn’t lose 2 Elite 11 QB’s last 2 seasons in Mettenberger & Gray. Surely another elite player won’t transfer, right?
Alabama | MrSEC.com
March 9th, 2011
10:24 am
[...] of injuries.5. Spring practice brings new hope… and more questions in Athens.6. Here are 10 Dawgs to watch this spring.7. What if Kentucky and Louisville met again in the NCAA Tournament?8. SI.com has a new, lengthy [...]
Lowcountry Bulldawg
March 9th, 2011
10:26 am
What is great is how we have had a Buckeye on these blogs running his mouth the past couple of months about “The” Ohio State. Congrats on that fine football program you have. How does 0-13 sound for 2010? Vacate the 2011 Sugar Bowl victory? Suspend Tressel the first 1/2 of t he Big 10 schedule? No Bowl games for 2 years and 30 scholly’s lost? All very real possibilites since Tressel lied to the NCAA. Great day to be a SEC fan!
Deers
March 9th, 2011
10:26 am
Unfortunetely, Coach Richt’s had a hard time holding on to top players the last 2 years. Especially on the offensive side of the ball, Mett & Logan come to mind. Why are these Elite players transferring to other schools each season?
Luck Eyes - Hammer Time
March 9th, 2011
10:29 am
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=6195223
Mark May blasted the NCAA for treating this with ‘kid gloves’ in December…
Tressel tries to sweep in under the carpet…
The NCAA HAS to ban the HC for 6 or more games & ban post season & schollies, as this is the definition of Lack of Institutional Control… Starting with the HC.. By the language of his contract he should be fired… The AD & school President laughs at this & says He’s Our Coach…
OK NCAA – Your move… (Remember – Dez Dryant got a 10 game suspension for lying to the NCAA… AJ for selling HIS jersey… )
Sad that the ONLY program in the Big 10 (or is it 11 or is it 12) that’s done ‘anything’ this century is exposed as a cheater!! Tressel has a long record in this behavior – I’m not sure how he has kept this aura of being clean for so long. The laundry list of things that have followed him keeps getting longer…Maurice Clarett, Troy Smith, Ray Isaac (Youngstown St.). NOT!!!!
Buckeye
March 9th, 2011
10:29 am
nerds,
Shaking my head. 2 games and $250,000? I don’t know. We’ll see how it plays out. If the second email came first, it’d be a different story with the confidentiality. On the other hand, that’s why guys who make $3.5M have attorneys at there beck and call. I want to believe the best but fear the worst.
I wonder if he and Pryor had discussions back in April. Who knows what may come out.
Buckeye
March 9th, 2011
10:31 am
head in sand,
Happy to hear this has made you feel better about Coach Richt. See, there is a silver lining to every cloud. At least something good has come of this and it may as well be all about you and your feelings.
Have a good day,
Buckeye
BB
March 9th, 2011
10:33 am
Here’s hwo transfers in order before the fall:
Ealey, Figgins, Mason, Malcome, Lemay
snoopy
March 9th, 2011
10:33 am
L Gray an “elite player” that transfered?? Come on.. I’m not going to bash him, but to state that is incorrect…
As for Mett – Dude had ‘issues’, CMR delt with it.. (If that was your daughter/ sister he’d groped, I’m sure you would NOT be all high & mighty!)
CMR is a man of integrity… & having the duty to turn boys into men while under his watch, I’d prefer his example and lose a few games than some of the other ‘examples’ we have amongst us…
dawg85
March 9th, 2011
10:33 am
The move of Ogletree to linebacker is interesting. Grantham looks to put playmakers in position to do some good so we’ll see. Could be looking at the best linebacking corps in a few years. If Figgins takes to fullback he could be a monster back there. Nice to have a returning quarterback. AM is going to be tough. Nerds are fixated with him.
We shall see.
tide roll
March 9th, 2011
10:36 am
Hell yeah Dawg for life. The NAACP should launch an investigation. As to why UGA refuses to play the best talent, especially on the Offensive line. They should pay Kiante Tripp’s attorney’s fees in his law suit against Richt and Bobo for intentional misrepresentation and intentional infliction of emotional distress! They played with the kid’s career like he was a toy and then Richt goes and sits dowm at the front pew of his church every Sunday. He and Booboo ought to be ashamed. They’re now getting their jollies messing with Bean Anderson. Time for Bobo to GoGo.
dawg from a distance
March 9th, 2011
10:37 am
BB what an optimist you are…..
Buckeye
March 9th, 2011
10:37 am
luck,
From the ESPN article:
“After nine straight losses, the Buckeyes finally beat an SEC school. Apparently, Tressel even learned to cheat as well as they do”
And you’re not welcoming us into the club?? What could he be possible be referencing??
dawg85
March 9th, 2011
10:37 am
@snoopy — You’re right about Mett and Gray. Gray just didn’t pan out. Mett has a strong arm but he’s slow and has a 5 second release. Anybody who thought he was going to beat out Murray is delusional.