UGA expects OG Kolton Houston to have his eligibility restored
ATHENS – Georgia coach Mark Richt remains vague about the “NCAA issue” that kept Kolton Houston sidelined all last season. But as evidenced by Houston’s regular presence with the No. 1 offense at left guard during spring camp, the Bulldogs obviously expect to have him for the coming season.
“We anticipate him to be able to play, but it’s not set in stone yet on him,” Richt said.
Houston
Houston is listed as a redshirt sophomore in Georgia’s spring media guide, even though he has not played since he has been with the Bulldogs. The Buford native was redshirted in 2010, his initial year of eligibility, then appeared to be a rising star in 2011. He was listed as backup to Kenarious Gates at left guard heading into preseason camp.
But by the time the season began, Houston had dropped off the depth chart. Richt has never referred to Houston as “suspended,” only that he was ineligible due to “an NCAA issue.” Requests to interview Houston have been denied since last fall.
The NCAA can suspend student-athletes from competition for one full year for a positive test of one of its random screens for banned substances. But The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Freedom of Information requests for documentation regarding the status of Houston’s NCAA eligibility have been denied by UGA citing federal laws that protect students’ academic and medical privacy.
Richt remained evasive when pressed on the issue again Thursday.
“What did we say it was?,” he asked rhetorically. “I forgot how much I’ve said so far.”
Reminded by another reporter of his standard reply, Richt laughed. “Yeah, NCAA issue. That’s what it is, an NCAA issue.”
Nevertheless, it’s clear the Bulldogs are getting Houston ready to play. During the short times the media is allowed to view practice, Houston has been lining up at left guard with the No. 1 unit.
Lee
Junior Dallas Lee, who is also a Buford product, started seven games at guard (and five at left guard) before breaking a leg against Florida this past season. He seems to be working more with the No. 2 unit.
“[Offensive line] Coach [Will] Friend is rotating the lineup around pretty good, so I wouldn’t say Kolton [Houston] is ahead of Dallas [Lee] right now,” Richt said. “On any given day or in any given rotation he may be in there and Dallas may be with the 2s. But they’re moving back and forth.”
So far, Richt likes what he’s seeing out of both players. The 6-foot-5, 291-pound Houston was an 2009 AJC Super 11 selection and an Under Armour High School All-American coming out of Buford High.
“We think Kolton can play,” Richt said. “He’s got a ways to go but, again, and I say this to the team a lot, I’m not that worried about who the starters are. I’m worried about how many guys are ready to play football for Georgia in the Southeastern Conference. That’s what I’m hoping these guys can prove to us. All those guys are fighting for that.
“Do I think Dallas can? Yes. Do I think Kolton can? Yes. We’re working our way through some of these other guys. Gates has already done it. Chris Burnette has already done it. So we’ve got guys that can do it.”
The Bulldogs are having to replace three starters off last season’s offensive line: left tackle Cordy Glenn, center Ben Jones and right tackle Justin Anderson. Currently the first five are Gates at left tackle, Houston, sophomore David Andrews at center, Burnette at right guard and sophomore Watts Dantzler at right tackle.
“We have high hopes for Andrews,” Richt said. “Right now he’s the No. 1 center. If he can get it done that will help us a lot, free up a guy like Burnette to stay at the guard position. We wouldn’t have David line up at anything but center at this point. But he’s doing a great job as far as knowing what to do and working on communicating and everything that has to be done. Next to the quarterback he’s got the toughest job there is as far as recognizing things, communicating things and doing it really fast.”
The second unit has JUCO transfer Mark Beard at left tackle, Lee at guard, walkon Hugh Williams at center, Hunter Long at right guard and Austin Long at right tackle.
OTHER NOTES: Richt said quarterback Michael Tamburo of Suwanee has decided to give up football. The junior out of North Gwinnett injured a knee but will remain with the team in a “student assistant” capacity. . . . Junior wide receiver Rantavious Wooten was unable to practice Thursday due to a pulled leg muscle. . . . The Bulldogs began their “competitive phase” of camp, as Richt called it, with their first contact practice of the spring. The coaches kept score of drills that pitted the offense against the defense and “the defense won the day,” Richt said.
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182 comments Add your comment
Captain
March 23rd, 2012
8:11 am
@hop 4:04
Who is “Hudson Mason”? No such person on the Georgia roster. Zach Mittenberg at LSU? I checked the LSU roster, no such player. Not sure how you can call people out if they don’t exist, renders your post worthless.
CJ
March 23rd, 2012
8:38 am
Why is the info about why this guy cannot play so guarded. Im SMh, because when it comes to other players it’s all this inside info and other sources who let the media know what’s going on.
RHall55
March 23rd, 2012
8:40 am
C’mon Coach Will Friend!! Need to have more OL!!! Recruit, man. recruit!! Lost too many high quality OL: B Shell, A Richardson, D Glauser, D Hawkins, V Alexander, J Harris, K Broome!! And no commits so far for OL; Man, you’ve got to recruit!! Grimes @ Auburn is kicking your butt!! “Win, Baby, Win”!! Get Max Garcia!!!
UGA man here, class of 71 & 73
March 23rd, 2012
8:44 am
If Murray continues to play like has has for two sloppy years and losing games like he does with his bone headed mistakes ……… fumbles for quick TDs or Quick 6 pics, UGA will go with Christian LeMay. Hutson Mason too can help UGA, with his QUICK release and his ability to SEE the field, unlike 5′10″ Murray. Mason will likely red shirt but I say HOLD ON there …………….let us first watch AM in some important games.
For UGA to WIN BIG ………………….it has to start at QB. ALL of the pieces are there for UGA ………………… but can our QB run this show without hurting us?? THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.
Go Dogs.
flo-ri-duh
March 23rd, 2012
8:46 am
Those of you writing a book on here should know it’s a waste of time because we don’t have the desire to read a book right now.
flo-ri-duh
March 23rd, 2012
8:48 am
Lack of consistent OL play has not helped Murray and is a direct contributor to his errors in big games. Give him 4 seconds and he can do the job.
crackbaby
March 23rd, 2012
8:55 am
Dawg Fans – Good luck in 2012. I hope the last game in Sanford Stadium is between undefeated Dawgs and Jackets.
Let’s put 13-1 (your “know it all”) and WnE (Tech blog know it all) on an ice flow and send them out to sea.
Obama Sin Laden
March 23rd, 2012
8:57 am
defense won the day. Wow … who woulda thunk it. the sorry ass offense coaching sure aint gona win it.
dawgfan
March 23rd, 2012
8:59 am
Everybody trashes Murray and says Mason should get a look but why don’t we start holding our O-line accountable too? Whenever you bring up our deficiencies on the O-line most just shrug it off and say it will be fine. These guys are every bit as responsible for our poor offensive performance against top teams as Murray. Murray doesn’t do any run blocking. Murray wasn’t the one getting his butt kicked by LSU and MSU’s defensive lines. Murray’s job would be a lot easier if we had even the slightest hint of a respectable running game against teams like that. The game wouldn’t have to be “on his shoulders” as Aschoff said.
Thanks.
PapaDawg
March 23rd, 2012
9:00 am
We need all the Big Butted Linemen we can find.
matt
March 23rd, 2012
9:04 am
@13-1. You write like a 2nd grader. It’s really hard to take you seriously or understand what your point is when you can barely put a legible sentence together.
D Fence
March 23rd, 2012
9:04 am
By the way we finished the year against LSU and MSU when we had no running game, I would guess it cant be any worse. Though Richt seems to like this bunch of 8 or 9 guys who will be in the rotation, assuming of course none of them act like a dang fool b/w now and Sept. I think Friend is a good coach with a mean streak, heck anyone who played for Stallings was tough. We must run the ball to control the games this year or else we are once again just above average. And please get Mitchell back to WR.
Lakedawg
March 23rd, 2012
9:05 am
Hop, not sure which one of us has been to the most practices, but the ones I and friends have been at , the better guy is our starting QB
dawgfacedboy
March 23rd, 2012
9:07 am
Dawgfan- I agree. The run blocking is usually nonexistent and the pass blocking is inconsistent at best. Murray is constantly running for his life. Make a team one dimensional and chances are you will win. UGA did not have anyhthing close to consistent running game last year. Partly due to the blocking and partly due to depth at RB.
13-1 SEC East Champions 2012
March 23rd, 2012
9:10 am
# 11 all-time Wins UGA quoting me : Gator
27 teams 10-Wins 2011, beat -0- lost all 4
34 teams 9-Wins 2011, beat -0- lost all 4
48 teams 8-Wins 2011, beat 2
23 teams 10-Wins 2010, beat -0- lost all 3
32 teams 9-Wins 2010, beat -0- lost all 5
48 teams 8-Wins 2010, beat -0- lost all 6
63 teams 7-Wins 2010, beat -0- lost all 6
74 teams 6-7 in 2010, beat 3
85 teams 5-Wins 2010, lost 1 Colorado 5-7
21 teams 10-Wins 2009 beat #13 G tek, lost 1
34 teams 9-Wins in 2009, beat 1, lost 3
54 teams 8-Wins in 2009, beat 3, lost 3
65 teams 7-6 in 2009, lost 2 : vols, Home KY
20 teams 10-Wins 2008, beat -0- lost both
35 teams 9-Wins 2008, beat 1 lost 3
19 teams 10-Wins 2007, beat 1, lost 1
71 teams 6-Wins in 2007, lost 1 of those USCe
25 teams 10-Wins 2006, beat 2, lost 1
50 teams 8-Wins 2006, beat 4, lost 3
97 teams 4-Wins 2006, lost 1 of those Vandie 4-8
10-Win teams 2005 won 1 lost 1
22 teams 9-Wins 2005, won 2 lost 3
31 teams 8-Wins 2005, won 2 lost 3
10-Win teams 2004, lost both games
25 teams 9-Wins 2004, won 2 lost 2
36 teams 8-Wins 2004, won 2 lost 2
23 teams 10-Wins 2003, won 1 lost 2
34 teams 9-Wins 2003, won 3 lost 2
53 teams 8-Wins 2003, won 3 lost 3
20 teams 10-Wins 2002, beat 1
47 teams 8-Wins 2002 , lost 1 FL 8-5
18 teams 10-Wins 2001, beat 1 lost 1
21 teams 9-Wins 2001, beat 1 lost 2
36 teams 8-Wins 2001, beat 2 lost 3
54 teams 7-Wins 2001, beat 4 lost 4
As you can see, consistently all 11 years Mark Richt has LOST to the top teams and also coupled that with excruciating losses to poor teams as well.
Overall for the 11 seasons Mark Richt is :
8-18 all 11 yrs vs 10-Win teams
So, the next time someone tells you Mark Richt has been ranked in the
AP Poll Top 10 :
2002
2003
2004
2005 and none since except 2007
Ask them why where you finish up doesn’t matter ?
_________________________________________
Since that is what they said that it isn’t even tracked where a team finishes up, just where they were at game time in game 2 of 14-game season.
______________________________________
So, the next time someone tells you Mark Richt finished with a 10-Win Season in 7 of his 11 years :
Tell them he is 8-18 vs 10-Win teams
_____________________________
dawgfan
March 23rd, 2012
9:17 am
Our offense has tremendous potential. But that’s all it is, potential. I really feel like our offense could do great things if we had a physical offensive line that could push people back. The sky would be the limit. You put Murray and our stable of running backs behind Alabama’s offensive line and we would average 40 ppg and win the SEC. I firmly believe that. The missing ingredient is the O-line, not the quarterback. This isn’t a quarterback league. You don’t need a Peyton Manning behind center to win big in college football like you do in the NFL. I didn’t even know who LSU and Bama’s quarterbacks were until halfway through the season and look how many games they won. You win in the SEC with great defense and a physical and dominating offensive line. That’s the formula.
Thanks.
G-Dawg
March 23rd, 2012
9:23 am
nobody is reading your material..dbag!!!
as for the haters, the east wont be a cake walk for anybody next year either!!!
Joey
March 23rd, 2012
9:28 am
“These guys (O-line) are every bit as responsible for our poor offensive performance against top teams as Murray.”
***************************************
True dawgfan, but isn’t is a bit curious that two of last season’s O-linemen will be drafted in the 1st two rounds, and a third will go in the later rounds? Shouldn’t we have been able to protect the QB and run-block better with that talent? And the O-line was, “a weakness?”
What other SEC team will send 3 O-linemen to the NFL this season?
There has to be something wrong with: 1) our offensive schemes, 2) our playcalling (predictable or easily identified by sets), or 3) good DCs can easily disrupt our offensive plays, leading to poor O-line play.
As usual, it ain’t the lack of talent with UGA. It’s the coaching.
Joey
March 23rd, 2012
9:31 am
“You put Murray and our stable of running backs behind Alabama’s offensive line and we would average 40 ppg and win the SEC.”
******************************************
Right again, dawgfan, but only if Bama’s coaches were used also . . .
dawggirl
March 23rd, 2012
9:36 am
Wow, someone needs to seriously get a life.
I like this article, good to read about the depth we are developing on the front line. I was initially worried about the OL the most, but the more I read the less I worry.
Go Dawgs!
Burdell
March 23rd, 2012
9:40 am
Here’s the deal with the NCAA suspension….
UGA’s Kolton Houston = Tech’s Daniel Drummond
And you’ll never hear either school detail the infraction…
TOOL!
March 23rd, 2012
9:45 am
Yeah you 13-1 SEC East Champions 2012
Please shut up! How old are you, 12?
BG
March 23rd, 2012
9:47 am
Great news. GO DAWGS!
stupid redneck dawgfan
March 23rd, 2012
9:52 am
zach mett is looking very, very impressive in spring practices…Lsu sends their thanks…
13-1 SEC East Champions 2012
March 23rd, 2012
9:53 am
No. I am not 12, I am just dawg-tired of being
8 wins 18 losses all 11 yrs vs 10-Win opponents.
dawgfan
March 23rd, 2012
9:54 am
Joey, I totally agree that it all goes back to Bobo’s soft offensive philosophy. I probably should have said that. I just don’t think Bobo has any real interest in developing a respectable running game. Its not just the playcalling on games. In fact, I think that is Bobo’s only strength as an offensive coordinator. I’ve never understood the criticism that Bobo is predictable. I don’t see that. I think he’s been pretty good at mixing things up on Saturdays and every now and then comes up with a brilliant play call. But there is more to being an offensive coordinator than calling the plays on gameday. Bobo is responsible for the offense 24/7/365. If our O-linemen are not being taught how to block properly that ultimately falls on Bobo. I think our poor run blocking is attributable to Bobo’s lack of respect for the running game. His whole philosopy is flawed. Bobo would be a better fit out west where they like to pass a lot.
Its great to know it all.
SouthGaBrave
March 23rd, 2012
9:55 am
13-1 SEC East Champions 2012,
Thanks for the URL links and, I’m sure, countless hours of research that you put into your delsional obsession. I’d be interested in hearing more from you at the Lettermen’s Barbecue at Stegeman after the G-Day game on April 14th. Now, I’m not sure they’ll let you in…..but you can try to sweet talk the person at the door. There’s lots of good conversation inside with people who actually played the game. I have respect for their opinions, not the opinion of a stathead.
Paddy
March 23rd, 2012
9:57 am
If any school can’t or won’t talk about a player and his issues, I respect that. The players privacy and well-being should be held to the highest standard. We as fans do not need or are entitled to every scrap of information in theses cases. This is not Entertainment Tonight, you know, or Jersey Shore!
mcdavidastro
March 23rd, 2012
9:59 am
We still have a disinteressted head coach who is at his worse when favored. This has the smell of a very disappointing year.
Delbert D.
March 23rd, 2012
10:11 am
Georgia Tech beat the #5 team in the country in 2011, Clemson. Woo-hoo. Everybody knows that perceptions of the voters at the time is what really counts, rather than the final reality of the end of the season.
Concerned
March 23rd, 2012
10:22 am
Wow again here we go reaching. I have a hard time understanding how a pre-season top 10 or 5 can be in a place where they are going on a hope that the NCAA allows Houston to play. It may be HGH, Anabolic Steriods, or another like substance, but how does a high level program put themselves in a position to practice a player on an if? I just do not see this as productive to the team. Yes practice him, but not on the first team until he is free to REALLY play in a game. That is the price we pay for what we do, and the boy had to have done something hugh for such a tight consequence.
As for our HC, and his staff………..it begs the question, do they or are they really on top of things. Over the years I come away with the fact that Saban is a micro manager, and a person who cannot sit still. Conversely, Richt is a laid back guy who lets things happen. Alabama is intense, hands on, in your face, and on it. Georgia is wanting, searching, trying, and hoping it happens. Yes we are great at recruiting, and this is but one large part of the equation. The development, the implimentation, and the management is the other side of the full equation. On Saban, he will not look you in the eye, talks to few while on the plane, stays to himself, and is highly introverted. What you see on TV is not the same guy in his element which is with coaches and players. He is a nervous person who thrives on the work, the momentum. Mark is not the same person, and yes Mark is the type of guy you want to present your program. As for the management, both can be successful, and are. but each has his own style. From that one is better placed in his field than the other, and that is on how to handle people i.e. players. My feedback here is not without support as I know many very close to the Tide program. I reserve my sources, but the men work differently, and therefore one style is more effective than the other.
I fully support our team and players. Contructive in thought, our kids / players seem to have a long leash which is good in many ways as they learn from their mistakes, and Coach Richt is teaching them to become men. No one goes behind these coaches to check how their players turned out later in life. My guess is UGA guys ramp up quicker, and own their lives before Tide players. Just my opinion, as we compare The Program with our desire to shoot for the top.
I hope Coach Richt changes more things, and one big one is more than the recent hire they would like to make as the recruiting czar implies, and that is someone who is close to the players that he knows more about them than they know about themselves. I recommend highly a sports psychologist who is multi dimensonal is areas of building incredable trust and belief, and that is where Saban shines. He is a master at getting in their heads, and bring them to where he wants them to be. It is way too hard to get 30 or 60 players doing that on their own, and this is the difference in where they are at, and where we are at. In this situation that sports psychologist has to be your head football coach. Reason being is the players need to see who their loyalities are to as in knowing them well brings them to the table for the right reasons. Weeds thin when the Father see us for who we are, and this is where Mark must excell in order to win BIG. Unfortunatly, everyone one the Dawgs team does not see our King the same way, therefore Mark has be become their King.
That is my story and I am stricking to it.
8-18 all 11 yrs vs 10-Win Opponents
March 23rd, 2012
10:25 am
I didn’t realize that only posters who have a letter in football at UGA could post.
Calhoundawg
March 23rd, 2012
10:28 am
Murray may never play in the NFL, but there are many QB’s who do well in college who don’t succeed in the NFL. Anyway, AM threw 35 TD’s last year, so I don’t think his arm or his judgment are problems. We need a running game — pure and simple. Also, I love Hutson Mason and would love to see him play, but to suggest that CMR/Bobo are mistaken in playing Murray ahead of him is ludicrous. Murray has made tremendous progress each year since being thrown to the wolves as a true freshman. I expect great things from both him and our team this year.
It’s Great To Be a Georgia Bulldog!! Go Dawgs !!!!
8-18 all 11 yrs vs 10-Win Opponents
March 23rd, 2012
10:33 am
Delbert D. March 23rd, 2012 10:11 am
“Georgia Tech beat the #5 team in the country in 2011, Clemson. Woo-hoo. Everybody knows that perceptions of the voters at the time is what really counts, rather than the final reality of the end of the season.”
________________________________________________
I thought Climpsum Farmers LOST four (4) games 2011.
If Mark Richt has been ranked in the AP Poll Top 10 four times in a row from :
2002
2003
2004
2005 and none since except 2007
Why is that important again please ?
Oh, I see. It is important where Mark Richt finishes up, just no one else. No, wait. You said it is not important where a team finishes up.
So, doesn’t that mean that it doesn’t matter where Mark Richt ended up either ?
WHICH IS IT ?
Jeez Louise, it’s hard to follow around here with the MOVING TARGET same poster, from 1 post to the next post by the same poster.
2005 season was eight (8) seasons ago now this up-coming season and Mark Richt has been ranked since then exactly one time in the AP Poll Top 10.
And, remains 8-18 vs 10-Win Opponents all 11 years.
You’ll are so FOS.
McDawg
March 23rd, 2012
10:34 am
i thought Dallas Lee did a fine job last year-not as worried as most about our O-Line
more concerned w/ QB play
godaddy
March 23rd, 2012
10:41 am
You need to praise those Pine Hill Panthers-outscoring teams 77-8 in baeball this season, 3 no-hitters, and undefeated in the past three years while seeking their third straight title-CAN YOU SPELL DOMINANCE-I CAN PINE HILL BASEBALL-GO DAWGS!!!
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
March 23rd, 2012
10:56 am
@ 13-1:
Please read the ole dawg 7:59 am posts.Ditto for me.
I saved a good 45 minutes by doing as “ole dawg” did!!!!!!!
stupid redneck dawgfan
March 23rd, 2012
10:57 am
can you spell “RECRUITING”…
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
March 23rd, 2012
11:01 am
@ Calhoun Dawg: (10:28 am post)
Right on Bro!!!
My feelings exactly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
March 23rd, 2012
11:10 am
@ Concerned:
Pretty long but mostly good stuff and be sure you “STrICK to it”.
Just funning Bro!!!
Joey
March 23rd, 2012
11:15 am
“Murray has made tremendous progress each year since being thrown to the wolves as a true freshman.”
**************************************************
You mean, redshirt freshman, right Calhoun Dawg?
Murray’s just got to somehow play better in the Dawgs big games for him to take us to greater heights – the turnovers have killed us. 14 Ints, several of them pick-6s, and probably half-dozen lost fumbles.
Until he cleans that stuff up, no way will we win the SEC.
Calhoundawg
March 23rd, 2012
11:36 am
Yes, redshirt
I know the numbers look bad, but it’s pretty much a matter of perspective, I think. For instance, Alabama QB’s throw far fewer picks, but attempt far fewer passes. I know Murray has room for “improvement, but he was last year’s pre-season All-SEC 1st team QB. We need the team to improve around him, as well. Namely, the running game! Go Dawgs !!!
AltamahaDawg
March 23rd, 2012
11:36 am
Well actually for a dropped TD and a missed tackle or two (and missed call) we still could have won the SEC, so that is not technically true, but the point that it’s a lot easier if he doesnt make those mistakes is for sure.
AltamahaDawg
March 23rd, 2012
11:40 am
And he could have made all those mistakes and more, and with any sort of running game we can certainly win the SEC. But he can’t make those mistake AND not have a running game. Or more to the point, can’t screw up and still to compensate for not having a running game.
(ignoring the obvious that if we DID have any sort of running game he would not have forced himself into so many mistake in the first place)
Boss Dog
March 23rd, 2012
11:45 am
13-1. Do you ever shut up????? Everyone on here wishes your jaws would lock up and your fingers go numb. Just saying nobody cares about your posts.
stupid redneck dawgfan
March 23rd, 2012
11:56 am
i love the way you dawg lovers get upset at anyone who doesn’t drink the kool-ade…keep preachin’ 13-1, i’m listening…
Jborodawg
March 23rd, 2012
11:56 am
Great news that K Houston is playing with the 1’s and 2’s…mainly that he’s back. Hopefully we’ll have a dominating O line. “Games are won and lost on the line of scrimmage.”
AltamahaDawg
March 23rd, 2012
12:01 pm
Boss, you are wasting your time. We are all, just the unwitting surrogates for whatever demons that is all meant to expel.
Thomas Brown = Mr Negativity = 13-1 East (blogger) = Techie
March 23rd, 2012
12:06 pm
@8-18
You are an idiot just like 13-1 and Thomas Brown (oh, I almost forgot you are the same nutcase)!!! P.S. It has reached the point where no one reads your manic ramblings…….kinda like the ramblin wreck that you are. Get a life and go back to your GT blog where you belong.
RxDawg
March 23rd, 2012
12:21 pm
LOL I never knew Kolton Houston was white! I think I kept getting him and Kenaroius Gates mixed up. Or thought they were actually the same guy.