Loss of Brandon Burrows adds to UGA’s depth concerns at linebacker
Apologies for the brief absence. I had the matter of a 20th wedding anniversary to attend to. Thanks for your patience. Now, back to football. . . .
Georgia lost another linebacker on Thursday. The Bulldogs announced that Brandon Burrows, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound redshirt freshman from Marietta, will undergo shoulder surgery Tuesday morning at St. Mary’s. The procedure is meant to repair what they’re calling “chronic instability” in Burrows’ right shoulder. As one might expect, surgery on a linebacker’s shoulder the day players report for camp rules out any chance to play this season. It is not, however, expected to be a career-ending injury for Burrows.
Burrows
Not to ring the panic bell or anything but the linebacker position is beginning to look perilously thin. By my count, Burrows’ loss means the Bulldogs are now down to six eligible and healthy scholarship lettermen for their four linebacker positions.
That, of course, is not counting sophomore Jarvis Jones, who is slated to start at strong-side outside linebacker. But Jones’ eligibility is in question due to his relationship with a Columbus parks and recreation administrator recently convicted of theft and fraud. A new report out of Columbus this week alleges there may be more issues raised.
So assuming Jones is not available at least for a game or two, that leaves Georgia with three experienced inside linebackers and three experienced outside linebacker. That’s not ideal.
Junior Christian Robinson is a team leader with All-SEC potential at the “Mike” inside linebacker position. Sophomore Alec Ogletree also has all-conference potential, but he has never played a snap at the “Mo” inside ‘backer spot. He was moved there after excelling as a freshman at strong safety. Junior Michael Gilliard backs up Robinson and Burrows was behind those two on the depth chart.
Georgia’s not any deeper out on the flanks. Without Jones in the lineup, redshirt sophomore Chase Vasser is the only letterman left at Sam. Sophomores Cornelius Washington and Reuben Faloughi (a former walkon) man the “Will,” or weak-side position. The availability of sophomore T.J. Stripling (knee) and Dexter Morant (shoulder) remains unclear. Junior Richard Samuel, who was working at both inside and outside linebacker, moved back to tailback recently to shore up depth problems there.
What’s all this mean? Chiefly that the Bulldogs’ are going to need significant contributions from freshman linebackers. Georgia signed five in February. Two of those are currently unavailable. Sterling Bailey is still recovering from surgery last spring and Kent Turene has yet to receive the blessing of the NCAA Eligibility Center for freshman eligibility.
That leaves five-star prospect Ray Drew of Thomasville to shore up depth at outside linebacker and four-star prospects Amarlo Herrera of College Park and Ramik Wilson of Tampa for the inside positions. After that at least nine walkons stand at the ready.
Robinson met with reporters on Wednesday and I asked him about the depth issues at his position.
“People think we have depth issues,” Robinson said. “I just think we need guys to step up. That’s at any position. We have enough guys here at Georgia to get it done. Richard’s going to step up and help us at the running back position and somebody’s going to step up at linebacker and make those plays. They may not have as many reps, but it’s a matter of guys realizing they have shoes to fill.”
In the meantime, the Bulldogs might want to bubblewrap their remaining linebackers when camp gets underway late next week.
So who do you expect to step up at linebacker for Georgia this fall?
GEORGIA’S LINEBACKERS
- Mike — Christian Robinson (6-2, 226, Jr.), Mike Gilliard (6-2, 220, Jr.), Taylor Maxey (5-10, 220, Fr.), Jason Veal (5-11, 220, So)
- Mo – Alec Ogletree (6-3, 236, So), Jeremy Sulek (6-1, 209, Sr.), Kosta Vavlas (6-0, 219, Fr.), Cory Campbell (5-10, 210, Fr.), Robert Davis (6-2, 214, So.)
- Will – Cornelius Washington (6-4, 260, So.), Reuben Faloughi (6-5, 255, So.), Ricky Lowe (6-7, 258, Jr.)
- * Sam – Chase Vasser (6-3, 227, So.), Matthew DeGenova (6-1, 236, Sr.), Jamel Allen (6-2, 226, Jr.)
- Injured: OLB T.J. Stripling, OLB Dexter Morant, ILB Brandon Burrows
- Freshmen: Sterling Bailey (6-5, 260), Ray Drew (6-5, 243), Amarlo Herrera (6-1, 224), **Kent Turene (6-3, 225), Ramik Wilson (6-2, 218)
* Sophomore Jarvis Jones is expected to start once the NCAA addresses his eligibility issues.
** Turene has not yet been granted freshman eligibility by the NCAA.
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233 comments Add your comment
DawginLexIsSmart
July 29th, 2011
4:33 pm
He is a whole lot smarter than you troll girl
dawgislez
July 29th, 2011
4:38 pm
He has already stated he is a dumb redneck from south ga who likes to drink and fight. I think my degree from UF with a licensed CPA may trump the redneck and his feeble thoughts and biased opinions that just expose his dimwitted concepts.
LOL
July 29th, 2011
4:45 pm
The guy probably works for H & R Block. I think that’s where most of the UF CPA’s land, isn’t it.
Hey Troll
July 29th, 2011
4:51 pm
I do owe you an apology. I called you a Tech fan recently. Sorry about that because I know that was an serious insult. Didn’t realize you were a Gator fan. I mean, I don’t like you guys at all, but there is no reason to get down right nasty.
RedandBlackDAWG
July 29th, 2011
5:17 pm
Nothing could be finer,
You say inbreeding. You are so hopeless, you can’t even find a cousin on your side of the family to breed with. I do notice your farm animals keep a weary eye on you though, so I suppose there is hope.
Language Impairment
July 29th, 2011
5:48 pm
I do notice your farm animals keep a weary eye on you though…
You mean “wary,” of course. You studied spelling at UGA, right?
RedandBlackDAWG
July 29th, 2011
6:44 pm
Nothing could be finer,
Learned that in your fourth grade did you? No doubt, you considered 5th grade as post graduate for yourself. By the way, weary is the correct speeling. Wary, i don’t think I have heard of before.
Sorry also, because I completed my degree in physics in the military, I couldn’t attend UGA.
I'm in the know too
July 29th, 2011
6:47 pm
I know Obama is driving the bus the wrong way down the road. We are all going to die and football will mean very little.
Duard Sechler
July 29th, 2011
7:03 pm
“That, of course, is not counting sophomore Jarvis Jones, who is slated to start at strong-side outside linebacker. But Jones’ eligibility is in question due to his relationship with a Columbus parks and recreation administrator recently convicted of theft and fraud. A new report out of Columbus this week alleges there may be more issues raised.”
Relationship with a guy from Columbus. A full wedge from Auburn. Hummm.
RedandBlackDAWG
July 29th, 2011
7:32 pm
Give you dredit Tide Roll,
At least that time you didn’t borrow your lines from somebody else by cutting and pasting as far as I can see. It is one of the few times you didn’t. I would have to figure you don’t do much work, or maybe you are still in high school, since you have so much time to read, sports articles and borrow lines from them.
I am retired and don’t have that much time on my hands.
RedandBlackDAWG
July 29th, 2011
7:33 pm
Make that credit. And to think I even used a spell checker, since the ole eyes aren’t what they used to be.
Hit A Single
July 29th, 2011
8:33 pm
UGA will be fine. With the number of scholarships there shouldn’t be a depth problem. With the talent that is recruited this is blown up to be a bigger problem than it is. Sure if you lose a top QB, running back, or a one on one cover guy it is a problem. But other positions are replaceable. Hey try coaching college baseball with only 11 and 1/4 scholarships.
cadawg
July 29th, 2011
10:36 pm
so, not counting the incoming freshman, guys who were hurt last year, or jarvis jones, we have 6 experienced LB’s? i’ll go to war with 6. they say that stripling is 100% go for the fall, so that’s 7. we can count on at least 1 of the 3 freshmen who have already reported to contribute, so that’s 8.
what are people worried about again? i’m worried about losing jarvis, but not because we don’t have any other linebackers behind him; it’s because he’s awesome and it’s always hard to lose an awesome player.
Hit A Single
July 29th, 2011
11:25 pm
We are fixing to find out what kind of guts the NCAA has when they deal with this Alabama situation.
MikeP
July 29th, 2011
11:30 pm
Quoting Columbus Law Dawg: “….. As a very prominent sports reporter just told me this past weekend. The three past recruiters of the year” all have been found guilty of violating NCAA rules and now have been issued ’show causes” and either are out of college football or are awaiting additional rulings.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tell your “very prominent sports reporter” he is wrong. Trooper Taylor and Curtis Luper at Auburn are two of the past three recruiters of the year. Neither has even been accused of any wrong doing and they are out beating the recruiting trails and rounding up another top five class for Auburn even as we speak.
Maybe he meant the three recruiters of the year back before Trooper and Luper started winning the award?
UGA Dawg 97
July 29th, 2011
11:59 pm
Bye, Bye Richt! Enjoy your last year in Athens!
Dogs Smell
July 30th, 2011
8:16 am
DawginLex , Wow you are a fine display of someone who likes to post on uga blogs yet has never been to Athens on a week day. I see the truth really gets your blood boiling, as it should when you “homers” brag so much only to be put in your place year after year. . This season may be worse than last year but DawginLex , Im sure you feel that georgia could conquer the BCS fielsing only 6 players. Ha. Its going to be fun seeing a first year coach @ UF keep the tradition of owning the pups going. Seeing that smile on Steve S, face as he walks off the field in victory. Hell Dooley maybe looking at the score board at hlaf time thinking “should we score again? Enjoy !
Dogs Smell
July 30th, 2011
8:18 am
No need to comment on typos as that would only display another weak side of your mentality.
RedandBlackDAWG
July 30th, 2011
8:49 am
Dogs Smell,
Just for the record, what team is your favorite? Don’t tell me it is UGA, because no fan writes as negatively about his own favorite team as you do.
flo-ri-duh
July 30th, 2011
9:40 am
As far as I know Dawgs NEED 4 LB;s on the field and they will have more than enough.
Tampa Gator
July 30th, 2011
11:14 am
Speaking of LBs…..did any of you, Dawg fans (the ones who are always on here ripping GT)…..read the story on Albert Rocker….the kid who just landed a near six figure job with Microsoft….and took the job over playing his Sr. year at Tech. Now…that is my type of football player…and school.
Joey
July 30th, 2011
12:10 pm
NERDS! NERDS! NERDS!
Judge
July 30th, 2011
12:12 pm
Whimps again—-here come the excuses again—blah blah blah—-at least Spurrier has the guts to say something about a player when he is stupid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RedandBlackDAWG
July 30th, 2011
2:30 pm
Judge,
How much would you respect your boss, if he talked down to and about you in the national media. I think you might be a poor judge of character.
PeePants the hobo clown
July 30th, 2011
4:31 pm
I feel goo dabout the LB corps. I really do.There gonna need for some frosh to step up,but that’s just part of the game, it happens from time to time. What he really should be focusing on is the talent we DO HAVE. Individually each of the incoming freshman would most likely be starting at another school….say Michigan or Oregon off the rip because of what they bring. HARD HITTING!!!!!
Nope, with Drew,Wilson and Herrera in the future,along with Stripling and Vasser?…We’re good.
klastephens
July 30th, 2011
11:25 pm
I believe as the coach said, it’s time for the dawgs to show their metal. No mater if their a senior, junior, or freshman… They need to realize their the MAN… Get er done!!!!!!!!
rats
July 31st, 2011
12:06 am
i’m sure that boise and SC are licking their chops with the thoughts of freshmen LBs in games 1 and 2. both offenses have tons of experience working together and Kellen Moore will probably eat them for lunch. Garcia, well, if he’s sober perhaps. Spurrier will take advantage for sure.
if you start 0-2, well, the wheels will be off the wagon by week 5
RedandBlackDAWG
July 31st, 2011
5:43 pm
Rats,
If at week 5 the DAWGS are 3-2, it would be what most every pundit that writes an article for publication is predicting. I see 4-1 myself, but hey, no journalist here, LOL.
Next year blows
July 31st, 2011
7:44 pm
the slow painful inevitable end of the Richt era is getting closer. Optimism is great but it doesn’t change reality.
RedandBlackDAWG
August 1st, 2011
9:05 am
Must be getting closer to kick off time. All the jerks are out in force and can’t wait for a new article with anything about UGA, to spout their pathetic attempt at being witty.
If any of these negative blogger had half an ounce of brains, they would realize that psychological warfare, only works when they person can deliver it in person to a captive audience. Like a prisoner for instance. Interestingly enough, they are the prisoners of their own stupidity, so they are actually the ones being persuaded in their own minds, not the UGA fans. UGA fans have already won, because the prisoners are are already so worried, that they are trying to form barriers and platforms for their defense. In other words, you are gonna get your butt handed to you when UGA plays you, so you have set up your
defensive mechanisms ahead of time. Fear is your motivator, not superior skills or intelligence. You fear UGA and are jealous of the players, the team, the coaches, the fans and the great institution it is. I feel sorry sort of in a way, a soldier feels, just before he pulls the trigger, to end the enemies life.
It leaves such a mess if you do it right.
I don’t think it is right to call these folks Trolls, anymore. I think I will just call them “Prisoners Of UGA”. It has a nice ring to it.
Jordan
August 1st, 2011
11:12 am
Where will Georgia be playing come January? Check it out here: http://isportsweb.com/2011/08/01/2011-bowl-projections/
Chip Towers
August 3rd, 2011
12:44 pm
Thomas Brown: Nice list. Reality is you can post a similar one for every Division I team.
BoiseStFan
August 3rd, 2011
5:29 pm
Remember nonAQs have no depth and with our 2 deep not even worthy of recruiting by SEC teams I really see no problem here. UGA will show up and wear out our guys, then put in their freshmen anyway.
Or so the SEC logic goes.
The SEC is the bomb and widdle ol Boise can’t compete, so no worries y’all.