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
Dan
March 9th, 2011
12:59 pm
So, you’re saying ESPN & AJC can’t be trusted, they also reported on Ealey transferring, AJC even said it might be Ealey’s best option.
Sammy
March 9th, 2011
1:03 pm
Anyone read anything in this article about Ohio State? Nope. Just people making off topic comments–we call them “trolls”.
Hey guys, go to Ohio State blogs if you want to discuess that, this blog or for folks who want to focus on Tim’s article.
Ok, now that I dismissed the trolls, I feel Christian Lemay deserves the prasie as the best QB in the nation. I do not feel Aaron Murray deserves the praise as the best QB at Georgia. Especially when you break down how Murray did either against winning teams, or when the pressure was on.
DawginLex
March 9th, 2011
1:08 pm
show me a link that says he is transferring. don’t show me a link showing me he was suspended and someone saying he might transfer. Show me a link thta says he is transferring.
The latest from coach Richt says “we want Washaun to be excellent at everything.” “On the field and in the classroom and off the field.”
that sounds like a Coach in his court to me but BB and his other personality “Dan” are too stupid to read anything like that.
Kinda blows up your richt doesn’t want him around theory huh?
YELLOW HAMMER
March 9th, 2011
1:08 pm
This should make you dawg folks hate BAMA even more, The Boise State coaching staff was in Tuscaloosa last weak learning that SABAN style 3-4, ….. no joke
DawginLex
March 9th, 2011
1:09 pm
BB=Dan=Sammy
all 3 are dumba$$eS.
Hide behind a computer all day long nancy boy.
At the end of today and every day, you are still a loser.
I’m done with you.
tide roll
March 9th, 2011
1:15 pm
Wobegone, It’s tide roll and No, Uga fans, I’m not related to the fellow who poisoned the trees at Toomer’s corner. By the way, the two best offensive guards in the SEC for 2011 are ROKEVIOUS WATKINS 6′4″ 340lb offensive guard for South Carolina from Atlanta Creekside High (ERIC BERRY’S school), and CHANCE WARMACK 6′4″ 330lb offensive guard for Alabama from Atlanta Westlake (CAM NEWTON’S school). No wonder Central Florida kicks ya’lls butt. Note to Coach Bobo and Coach Friend: Thanks again for choosing John Theus over Cedar Grove’s BRANDON GREENE 6′6″‘ 300lb.OT. This is your greatest gift to the Tide since Augusta’s JAMES CARPENTER, our 30 game starter at left tackle. Roll Tide and thanks again.
Josh Butler
March 9th, 2011
1:19 pm
Justin “Bean” Anderson’s switch back to OG
DawginLex
March 9th, 2011
1:21 pm
4. Can current tailbacks impress this spring?
Georgia signed Isaiah Crowell from Carver Columbus High School to bolster a running game that finished 10th in the SEC last year.
Crowell could be the starter from the get-go for the Bulldogs, but he won’t arrive on campus for a few months.
That gives Washaun Ealey and Caleb King along with Ken Malcome and Carlton Thomas time to make their move in the next 15 practices.
“I just want to see them compete,” Richt said. “I want to see them prove they can hold off the young pup coming in.”
King and Ealey have been sidetacked by off-field issues.
Both were arrested in 2010. King missed the bowl game for failing to attend academic appointments. Ealey is back after serving his suspension in February.
“I just wanted to grab (Ealey’s) attention in all areas,” Richt said. “We want him to be the very best he can be in football, in the classroom and off the field, everything. We want him to be great. He can be if he really takes the right attitude towards it. … I’m thrilled he’s back. …Lesson learned, hopefully.”
*********************************************************************
Don’t let the facts get in your way idiot.
now I’m done.
BB
March 9th, 2011
1:22 pm
Show me a credible link that says Ealey is not transferring, from Ealey’s own mouth after he served his suspension. Lasy we heard, he was “weighing his options”.
Greg
March 9th, 2011
1:25 pm
“I just wanted to grab (Ealey’s) attention in all areas,” Richt said. “We want him to be the very best he can be in football, in the classroom and off the field, everything. We want him to be great. He can be if he really takes the right attitude towards it. … I’m thrilled he’s back. …Lesson learned, hopefully.”
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
BB, how stupid are you? Dawgin just showed you the link from onlineathens quoting coach richt. boy you are dumb
BB
March 9th, 2011
1:31 pm
Read it again. I said a quote FRom EALEY’s OWN MOUTH, not Richt, saying EALEY WAS NOT TRANSFERRING, a quote after Ealey’s suspension.
we’re all waiting. please list at least 3 from credible sources.
BB
March 9th, 2011
1:32 pm
There is nothing Richt can do to trick Ealey into staying after watching Mettenberger & Gray, Ealey’s too smart to fall for Richt’s lines.
Ealey will transfer to a JUCO.
1eyedJack
March 9th, 2011
1:34 pm
BB, don’t you ever get tired of flapping your gums?
tide roll, don’t you ever get tired of posting the same old crap day in a day out. Nothing says that Brandon Greene will be better than John Theus, NOTHING.
BB
March 9th, 2011
1:36 pm
Go TECH!!!! #1
woebegong
March 9th, 2011
1:36 pm
Not so sure I would rely on the AJC article either, since Jeff quotes, rumors. Not reliable sources or substaniated facts. Rumors and unnamed sources don’t get me too excited.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGSSSSSSSSSSSSS
BB
March 9th, 2011
1:37 pm
Nevermind, just got word that Ealey showed up today for a Pre-spring meeting. I am an idiot!
1eyedJack
March 9th, 2011
1:37 pm
Go TECH!!!!
1eyedJack
March 9th, 2011
1:38 pm
Why does Richt win less games 7 out of last 8 season than year before?
woebegong
March 9th, 2011
1:38 pm
go jackets!!
woebegong
March 9th, 2011
1:39 pm
WHy is Murray 0-6 against winning teams?
Greg
March 9th, 2011
1:39 pm
Go Y jackets!!
DawginLex
March 9th, 2011
1:40 pm
Some people call me Buckeye…
1eyedJack
March 9th, 2011
1:40 pm
Thanks for impersonating me BB. I’m flattered. Are you a total moron or just the regular kind?
Flatwoods Dawg
March 9th, 2011
1:43 pm
Bubbatavious
The guy we need is Jeremy “Dozer” Daniels from Lanier County. He is a 360 lbs cornfed beast. The man nearly closed down the Old Times buffet in Valdosta since he reached high school.
DawginLex
March 9th, 2011
1:43 pm
Can we talk about Ohio sTATE, i LIKE TO STAY OFF TOPIC…
(YAWNN)
March 9th, 2011
1:44 pm
Georgia will go 8-5 even with some of the best “talent” in the country.
Flatwoods Dawg
March 9th, 2011
1:44 pm
Just kidding about Daniels. I was trying to get Tim to research something again.
(YAWNN)
March 9th, 2011
1:45 pm
14-0 Georgia…
Flatwoods Dawg
March 9th, 2011
1:46 pm
Why does Murray rank last in the NCAA in 4th quarter accuracy if he’s so good?
rob2011
March 9th, 2011
1:46 pm
I think all the position changes the staff made will work out for the best. GO DAWGS!
(YAWNN)
March 9th, 2011
1:47 pm
Because he isn’t good. Georgia isn’t good. Im brewing some coffee, any UGA fans want any??
rob2011
March 9th, 2011
1:48 pm
Go home BB. You know nothing of football.
Flatwoods Dawg
March 9th, 2011
1:48 pm
Tide Roll
Thank you for Ben Jones. That Alabama native has started 36 straight games at UGA with his senior year still ahead. Thank You!!! Thank You!!!
DawginLex
March 9th, 2011
1:49 pm
1:40 and 1:43 nice try.
Still waiting on the idiot BB to show me a link that says Ealey is transferring.
funny, all I can read is how he is going to be practicing starting tomorrow.
Flatwoods Dawg
March 9th, 2011
1:49 pm
What’s the new O-Line’s name?
bigcalidawg
March 9th, 2011
1:49 pm
WTF happened to Brandon Smith?
DawginLex
March 9th, 2011
1:50 pm
ealey is transferring
DawginLex
March 9th, 2011
1:50 pm
nice try 1:50
Look, I have a stalker/admirer
DawginLex
March 9th, 2011
1:51 pm
BB, you’ll be waiting a long time, there are no known credible sources quoting Ealey recently that he will not tranfer.
HWJ
March 9th, 2011
1:51 pm
Marlon Brown and Jarvis Jones I will be following the most very curious how they do
bigcalidawg
March 9th, 2011
1:51 pm
go yell jackets go
tide roll
March 9th, 2011
1:52 pm
I think it’s fair to say the top young offensive tackle in the SEC for 2011 is Tennessee’s JUJUAN JAMES, the 6′6′ 330lb stud from N. Gwinnett high school( C.J. UZOMAH’S School). Named freshman All-American. Also, any word on the progress of ED CHRISTIAN,the 6′4″ 330 lb. man-child out of Valdosta Lowndes (GREG REID’S school)slated to start at Offensive Guard for the national champion Auburn Tigers. On behalf of nearly all the schools in the SEC, Thanks Coach Bobo and keep these studs coming! No wonder Central Florida is better than Georgia.
rob2011
March 9th, 2011
1:52 pm
Ealey will be the starter vs Boise state.
HWJ
March 9th, 2011
1:52 pm
Marlon Brown made 5 catches last year, he’s terrific
HWJ
March 9th, 2011
1:52 pm
Jones got cut from USC, he’s amazing.
rob2011
March 9th, 2011
1:53 pm
oops, err, Crowell will be the starter vs Boise state, Richt already told us
DawginLex
March 9th, 2011
1:53 pm
nice try 1:51
I AM NOW LEAVING. THE TROLL HAS RUINED THE BLOG.
CONGRATULATIONS
tide roll
March 9th, 2011
1:53 pm
go you jackets go
tide roll
March 9th, 2011
1:54 pm
troll hit BB at 1:36 too.
rob2011
March 9th, 2011
1:55 pm
2 things are a must. Strong running game and really good D. If we can do those two things, big things will happen. We have the talent.