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
Dawg One
March 9th, 2011
5:48 pm
Two years in a row for the Fulmer/Richt Cup?
Delta Stewardess
March 9th, 2011
5:52 pm
Why isn’t Murray on this list? He lit up the stat sheet, but didn’t win a come from behind game or beat a team with a winning record. Is LeMay ready to steal the #2 spot from Mason and work his way to #1 buy game 4? Hutson may transfer if he isn’t #2 by Late Aug. I wouldn’t blame either if he chose to take his talents to another school.
Sturdivant has a lot to prove. He is looking better but still not NFL ready. I am not sure his body is Healthy enough to last 1 season in the NFL. I am glad he came back and should finish he degree JUST in CASE.
Lester Miles
March 9th, 2011
6:16 pm
BB brain that explains you
Lester Miles
March 9th, 2011
6:18 pm
Bill Clinton You picked a loser with Hillary the beast but you are right about BB brain.
AltamahaDawg
March 9th, 2011
6:20 pm
I don’t know Paddy. Even if the O-line improved only a little bit, that could have changed the outcome of several game last year. Very small margin of scoring made a big deal in the final record. Plays in some cases. I don’t see our opponents are likely to vastly improved this year.
Also I think we could have won a few more games with the exact line we had last year IF we had not had a defense in transition. Easily they could have accounted for that small scoring margins. Add a noticeable improvement (and I think its likely there is a major improvement) in the defense, with a second year starting QB, and I don’t see that “O-line improves only a little bit over last season” is a deep dodo situation.
Now to be a championship team, the team line needs to improve vastly, but that’s likely to take some new faces up there every week.
Lester Miles
March 9th, 2011
6:21 pm
Raynard Goof Is that because there are too many turds like you floating around stinking up the town? I believe everyone said yes.
darapevine
March 9th, 2011
6:45 pm
tim 2 questions.what has happened with mike gillard at ilb?he was a head hunter in hs at valdosta and was highly recruited.he just seems to have fell off the football landscape at uga. is lonnie outlaw due on campus this summer?he brings good speed and great height to the wr posistion.
DawgFan34
March 9th, 2011
6:59 pm
BB. You’re an idiot. I would definitely say a freshman quarterback who finishes in the top 15 in passer rating of ALL COLLEGE QUARTERBACKS had a successful season. Its not all about wins and losses buddy. Remember a guy named Jay Cutler? I’m pretty sure he had some great seasons while Vanderbilt was winning just a few games each year. I
Bill Clinton
March 9th, 2011
7:06 pm
Good evening ladies and gentlemen…..On behalf of the state of Alabama, George bush and I, on a humanitarian mission effort to rid the state of poverty, stupidity, Tide Roll all mobile homes and Camaro’s in front yards sitting on blocks… We beg for any donations that would help in this urgent cause
jack bull
March 9th, 2011
7:37 pm
that’s a pretty good list, Bill. someone else i want to see step up is Israel Troupe.I’m a little concerned at WR position.
BB
March 9th, 2011
8:52 pm
Murray’s SOOO bad in clutch situations:
#118 in NCAA in accuracy on 4th down
#119 in accuracy in 1st quarter
#83 on 3rd downs
#108 in red zone
4 to’s against Florida (biggest game)
3 to’s against UCF (2nd biggest game)
0-6 vs. winning teams.
BB
March 9th, 2011
8:55 pm
#119 of 120 in 4th quarter accuracy, Murray, as a QB chokes.
In the last game of the season, with AJ healthy, can’t score a TD against a conference USA team. Throws 2 interceptions, fumbles on his own 30 yard line. Takes a sack at the end of the game with 30 seconds left to run out the clock.
Kid lacks poise.
But UCF’s Godfrey, man, if Georgia had him, looking at a 13-1 season in 2011. With Murray, 7-5 at best. Georgia plays 5 top 25 teams, Murray can’t beat winning teams, so 7-5.
BB
March 9th, 2011
9:05 pm
Flag Boy has been on a trip. When he returns I’ll have better things to do.
Lester Miles
March 9th, 2011
9:25 pm
BB-
Great stuff. You just win. You’re a winner. Period.
jack bull
March 9th, 2011
9:27 pm
BB, went back and read your postings (except for the obvious imposter posts whihc none of us read).
you’re perhaps the most intelligent poster to ever post here. Thank you sincerely, I consider myself a fan.
Delta Stewardess
March 9th, 2011
9:28 pm
Murray has deep issues, especially around accuracy, especially in critical situations. BB, thanks for the unusual insight.
BB
March 9th, 2011
9:30 pm
To my fans, I am humbled, thank you so much for this honor, I can only say I am blessed with a gift and I would be remiss without thanking the people who got me here, Tim Tucker, thank you Sir for keeping me up to date and provoking my mind.
BigDawg
March 9th, 2011
9:33 pm
I am looking forward to the TB rotation in Spring. Should be very competitive. And Then Crowell steps up to the plate in Summer ..hmmmmm
BB
March 9th, 2011
9:34 pm
I owe it all to Red Bull and Skittles. The Atlanta skyline is so beautiful at night.
BB
March 9th, 2011
9:35 pm
That tall pointy thingy in the distance reminds me of Flag Boy. I can’t wait for his return.
BB
March 9th, 2011
9:37 pm
More fans 9:34, 9:35, trying to glow in the shadow of a winner, thank you, I win, I am a WINNER.
BigDawg
March 9th, 2011
9:39 pm
Also looking forward to the QR rotation, should be competitive, then Chipper steps up to the plate. hmm
BB
March 9th, 2011
9:40 pm
Winners win, losers lose.
Neutral fan
March 9th, 2011
10:08 pm
The first 2 players Ogletree and Jarvis Jones could possibly end up being tremendous players. But they could also end up being busts.
As for players 3-10 that were mentioned I don’t think any rival fan is in awe of any of those players. Frankly I don’t even have a modicum of respect for that group and the first 2 I only respect their potential.
I suppose Sturdivant could have a decent year but if you guys are really thinking guys any of those other guys could be impact players then you really, really need to put down the crackpipe.
I don’t think an LSU or Alabama would take any of those guys on their team and if they did those guys would be on the scout team. Ask any LSU tiger or bammer fan if they would want any of those guys and odds are they would laugh at you.
MCG DAWG
March 9th, 2011
10:35 pm
BB….You are a piece of work….check yourself back in to treatment !
BB
March 9th, 2011
10:59 pm
Christian Lemay will win a team a National Championship. Won maxpreps Player of the Year. He’s an unreal leader with uncanny poise. And he just WINS. WINNER.
BB
March 9th, 2011
11:04 pm
Washaun Ealey will be a star in the NFL, will run for 10,000 yards there if he stays healthy. I see him as an Emmit Smith, Emmit got 110 td’s in High School, was a phenom, Ealey got 133. Herschel Walker got 86 td’s in high school, Ealey got 133. Herschel averaged 5.3 ypc at Georgia, Ealey’s at 5.5 in the SEC, Herschel averaged a td every 20 carries, Ealey got a td every 14 carries this season & averages 1 td per 20 carries like Herschel, when you’re hangin’ with Herschel & Smith, you’re a WINNER.
BB
March 9th, 2011
11:14 pm
Richt has never lost a game when Ealey gets 25 carries. Winners win.
BB
March 10th, 2011
12:05 am
My dad never played ball with me.
HWJ
March 10th, 2011
12:10 am
BB do you work or have a career?? You’ve been in this chat room the entire day and ll your post are terrible….
Old Tech Dude
March 10th, 2011
12:38 am
Hey we have some guys to watch too. But they are all smaller, less talented and slower but they are smart.
chs98
March 10th, 2011
2:57 am
with the depth at running back and lack of at reciever, could any of the backs play some reciever or in the slot? maybe just throw more screens and to the backs more. i like the defensive moves and the defense will be good.
Patrick
March 10th, 2011
3:28 am
BB
.
In promulgating your esoteric cogitation’s or articulating your superficial and sentimentalities toward UGA and amicable philosophical or psychological observations, beware of platitudinous ponderosity.
Let your conversational communications possess a clarified conciseness and a concatenated cogency.
Eschew all conglomerations of flatulent garrulity, jejune babblement and asinine affectations.
.
Let your extemporaneous descantings and unpremeditated expatiation’s of UGA have intelligibility and veracious vivacity without rodomontade or thrasonical bombast……. if you dont mind
Yes, amid all the hoops, spring football practice also starts today | UGA sports blog
March 10th, 2011
10:08 am
[...] And for 10 players to watch this spring, please click here. [...]
BigDawg86
March 10th, 2011
10:39 am
I think the Dawgs have an excellent chance to be extremely good this season. They will be in great condition thanks to Coach Tereshinski and the entire coaching staff has something to prove. Don’t be surprised if these Dawgs put a bite on the the SEC
jerry
March 10th, 2011
1:30 pm
bb are you simple simon because if you are, you’ll never be a winner, no matter how hard you type.Go Dawgs
WIN WITH RICHT
March 10th, 2011
2:12 pm
Patrick
Your mama just bought you a new dictionary, Didn’t she? For using all those big words, you deserve some Chips Ahoy cookies and some red koolaid.
Bitter vince dooly
March 10th, 2011
6:19 pm
all great georgia teams cut there teeth with great “D”—-PLAY—–, no 1980 championship without great play from the “D”—-3 shut outs in 1980—-42-0 over tex a@m—-
PS—bottom line ——-tough smash mouth gains respect———-SEC toughest league in collage
none sec fans su-x as—, and bamma tree KILLERS———hahahahahahahahah
bitter larry munson (9") size does matter
March 10th, 2011
6:25 pm
patrick—————————————-whatttttttttt??????????????????????????
hob-nail boot —4—-uuuuuuuuuuuuuu—wise as—–sssssssssssssss
big o
March 10th, 2011
11:27 pm
@ Rich
Thanks dude !!! I just think Smith is a talented player who can help us but you never hear anything about him. So can B. Smith get some ink please and some time at cb
Stinger
March 11th, 2011
7:12 pm
Is UGA going to sign the 4 Auburn players that were kicked off the team for robbery? Just wondered. They would probably fit in nicely.
woebegong
March 11th, 2011
8:19 pm
Stinger, You are aware that two of them are from the Atlanta area, aren’t you. Tech. didn’t try to recruit them by any chance now, did they? I would be interested to know.
GOOOOOOOO DAWGSSSSSSSSSSSSS
JDAWG
March 11th, 2011
9:13 pm
http://isportsweb.com/2011/03/11/georgia-football-5-biggest-questions/
woebegong
March 12th, 2011
8:55 am
It would appear that coach T is indeed having the desired affect on some of the players. Read where a number of the linemen have put up to 20 lbs. on their frame. Our NG from last year now weights in at 350 pounds. I think the hole has been plugged with Jenkins and him.
We will see a whole lot of improvement if that extra muscle translates into strength and stamina. The running game will look a lot better and our QB, will have some time to read, his seconds and thirds. Add the tightend\fullback into the mix, and UGA is gonna put up some points no matter the school.
GOOOOO DAWGSSSSSSSSSS
UGA Dawgster wife
March 12th, 2011
2:29 pm
Im surprised that they don’t have the kid Jamel Allen a walk-on from Sylvester, Ga this is an interesting kid with a remarkable story, and if he makes it, it would make for a great success documentary, only time will tell.
Mike finneka
March 12th, 2011
2:33 pm
I’ve heard of Jamel Allen before, he was the talented but troubled kid who didnt get the chance to play football in high school because he was in and out of juvenile detention centers. I cant wait to see if he does well at the G-day game, I can only see positive things coming from him, I just hope that he has truly changed his ways and can become the dominant player that he can be, especially at outside linebacker.
trent k
March 12th, 2011
2:52 pm
whats Jamel Allen’s number?
Bama Cow Hide@
March 12th, 2011
2:55 pm
He is #24
woebegong
March 12th, 2011
3:21 pm
UGA DAWGSTERS WIFE,
My bet is he is not financially able to pay his own way, and his grades do not qualify him for the hope scholarship. It is too bad that there are such limited ways for some folks to get some type of monetary help in this day and age. I could not go to the school I needed to go to either as my folks did not have the money. If it had not been for the military, I never would have gotten my degree.
GOOOOOOO DAWGSSSSSSSSSSSS
UGA Dawgster wife
March 12th, 2011
3:39 pm
@woebegong
His case is actually the opposite, he has near perfect grades, its just the fact that he was constantly getting into trouble with the law when he was growing up and many other situations that he endured that makes this kid special and interesting to watch, I cant wait until G-day to see what he does.
GOOOOOO DAWGSSSSSSSS!!!!