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
rob2011
March 9th, 2011
1:58 pm
oops, err, meant to say, throw the ball, and good kicker. if we do that, big things will happen. we have the talent.
WQ
March 9th, 2011
2:00 pm
14-0 in 2011!!!
Go from 10th in rushing to #1 in SEC!!
Go form 120th worst passing accuracy in 4th quarter to #1!!
Richt goes from losing more games than the year before 7 out of last 8 seasons, to winning more every yeas!!
Rich
March 9th, 2011
2:00 pm
I want to see how Tavarres King adjusts to being the main receiver and how much Rambo has developed as a free safety in a 3-4.
Rich
March 9th, 2011
2:01 pm
Tavarres got 3 catches a game last year, lots of experience there. Rambo will be SOOO much better this year.
rob2011
March 9th, 2011
2:01 pm
Crowell is a bright talent but he has not even practiced with the team yet. I hope he comes in like a tornado, but until then Ealey has to be expected to be the primary rusher.
Rich
March 9th, 2011
2:02 pm
Hopefully, kicker and punter will be better.
Flatwoods Dawg
March 9th, 2011
2:02 pm
BB= Bumblebee Balls
rob2011
March 9th, 2011
2:03 pm
Poor thang
rob2011
March 9th, 2011
2:03 pm
erg, oh, menat to say, hope Ealey doesn’t transfer, so I’ll say somethign nice here. But can’t wait for Crowell to start against Boise.
BB
March 9th, 2011
2:03 pm
I love acting like whoever I want and posting as if I am somebody else.
rob2011
March 9th, 2011
2:04 pm
AJ & Durham leaving won’t have a bad impact, passing game will be SOO much better.
BB
March 9th, 2011
2:05 pm
Why can’t Richt win more games than the year before 7 out of last 8 seasons?
BB
March 9th, 2011
2:05 pm
Dent won’t be missed either.
rob2011
March 9th, 2011
2:06 pm
That is why nobody takes you serious, BB.
rob2011
March 9th, 2011
2:06 pm
Losing Justin Houston not big deal.
BB
March 9th, 2011
2:06 pm
I am a Tech troll. Tech is #1
rob2011
March 9th, 2011
2:06 pm
Richt goes from 6-7 to 14-0!!
BB
March 9th, 2011
2:07 pm
Go Dogs!
BB
March 9th, 2011
2:07 pm
I wish I knew what I was talking about. Im just bored and supid, Im sorry.
BB
March 9th, 2011
2:08 pm
I a winner and I like WINNING!
old dog55
March 9th, 2011
2:09 pm
lol
BB
March 9th, 2011
2:09 pm
Georgia is pre-seaosn #1 on everyone’s list.
Flatwoods Dawg
March 9th, 2011
2:09 pm
With the loss of Green, Durham, and Gray, it will be interesting to see who steps up at WR in spring practice. Hopefully, Chris Conley and Michael Bennett will have impressive springs. But, Malcolm Mitchell could play a lot in 2011.
old dog55
March 9th, 2011
2:10 pm
qoq
Flatwoods Dawg
March 9th, 2011
2:10 pm
Because none of the receivers have experience except King.
ugab
March 9th, 2011
2:11 pm
OL needs to open some holes this year. TEs are strong. FB is the big question. DL should be ok. Garner needs Gratham’s help. I love the nutritionist thing the dawgs have going on this season. RBs are going to need holes from the OL and a physical FB. Crowell will have to learn the system. Crowell will have to learn to protect the QB. Crowell will come in on some running plays. I look for Ealey to shine. I am interested to see what Malcome can do this season. He looks like a bruiser back. We need one of them. Rambo has to step up.
Flatwoods Dawg
March 9th, 2011
2:11 pm
Inexperience at LB & WR is the key to winning!
ugab
March 9th, 2011
2:11 pm
teams need to run better, tackle bette,r catch better, kick better. that’s it.
Flatwoods Dawg
March 9th, 2011
2:12 pm
BB
Why don’t you log off? Go downstairs to your mother’s basement and watch Star Trek reruns and drink purple koolaid.
ugab
March 9th, 2011
2:12 pm
seriously, I’m just saying nice stuff so they won’t transfer, I really like Crowell.
Flatwoods Dawg
March 9th, 2011
2:13 pm
BB
Great stuff, best on the blog! You’re a winner!
Flatwoods Dawg
March 9th, 2011
2:14 pm
Murray goes from 0-6 against winning teams to 6-0!!
rob2011
March 9th, 2011
2:14 pm
#7 will have a big year.
big o
March 9th, 2011
2:16 pm
Can someone tell me why there is no buzz surrounding Smith. I like the kid is he not expected to contribute in the secondary this season. He has to be one of the fastest players on the team but Boykin has the return duties on lock. Did I miss something ? I s he still on the team ?
rob2011
March 9th, 2011
2:16 pm
Dawgs 2011? To be or not to be? That is the question.
Rich
March 9th, 2011
2:20 pm
@big o
I think the fact that the coaches tried to use him on offense hurt his development as a cornerback.
rob2011
March 9th, 2011
2:23 pm
yea, but he only adds strength to the depth chart at db though.
Score Check
March 9th, 2011
2:40 pm
The rumor about Ealey transferring has about as much truth to it as did the one about Murray having a broken ankle.
ronald
March 9th, 2011
2:46 pm
“If Malcome was good enough to play, he would have played last season.”
I disagree. With all the young tailbacks in the mix, we needed to add a year between the 3 veterans and Malcome. Malcome and Crowell will split the bulk of the carries after King and Ealey are gone.
ronald
March 9th, 2011
2:48 pm
“But, Malcolm Mitchell could play a lot in 2011.”
I agree. I’ve heard that many assistants on UGA’s staff think Mitchell has the tools to get playing time as a true freshman at either WR or CB, but more of an opportunity to shine at WR.
phil
March 9th, 2011
3:49 pm
None need our attention. Remember, they are now eating healthy, and this will lead us to the National Championship in convincing fashion over (fill in the blank with some undeserving school like Oregon). It’s always been about the food. We’re GA and we’re the best.
So here’s to a yummy tofu burger and a 40-0 win over Florida.
I’m a Ga fan myself but we’re all total morons to keep buying into the latest crap like this diet thing….
Reno
March 9th, 2011
4:50 pm
derrick lott?
woebegong
March 9th, 2011
4:57 pm
BB is now using my NIC as he thinks this makes him entertaining. A Typical SNERT. He needs to get off mommies computer.
Matthew Horn
March 9th, 2011
5:01 pm
I think a player that deserves to garner some attention this spring is Tavarres King. With AJ and Durham both done (2 leading receivers from last year) UGA is gonna need someone to step up as the main receiver and I think King has the skill set to fulfill that role. He has continuously gotten better each year and I think he could be poised for a great year as UGA certainly needs someone to assume a prominent receiving role of Murray. Also watch out for Michael Bennett. The redshirt has great hands and route running ability and the coaches loved his work ethic last year. We are thin at WR so he could very well play a big role for the dogs.
Matthew Horn
March 9th, 2011
5:03 pm
Defensively I am interested in watching how well Abry Jones plays at the DE position. With Dobbs graduating I think Jones could step up as a good player against the run. I just remember his 17 tackles vs GA tech last year, so he’s an important player to watch on that line
Wha?
March 9th, 2011
5:09 pm
Hands down it’s got to be Jenkins. The 3-4 defense doesn’t work well without a big stopper in the middle.
AL-Dawg
March 9th, 2011
5:38 pm
BB is a retard. He has been bagging on Aaron Murray all day. Kid was a redshirt freshman QB playing in the SEC last season. He is only going to get better, just like the rest of the team.
Go Dawgs!!!
AL-Dawg
March 9th, 2011
5:40 pm
UGA needs to re-incorporate the TE into their offense. We have 3 extremely talented TE’s. Let’s get back to the days of Leonard Pope and Randy McMichael!
Aron White & Orson Charles are studs. USE THEM!!!
Paddy
March 9th, 2011
5:43 pm
If the O-line improves only a little bit over last season, we are in deep dodo. The line is the key and thay must improve vastly over the last season of poor play.
Bill Clinton
March 9th, 2011
5:45 pm
I did not have sex with that BB!……..He preferred goats instead…..