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
Joey
March 23rd, 2012
12:35 pm
Well, being that we have to count those 42 points, I think that so far, my statement IS technically true.
8-18 all 11 yrs vs 10-Win Opponents. AP Poll Top 10 one-time after 2005 - 2005 was eight (8) seasons ago now this up-coming 2012 season.
March 23rd, 2012
12:36 pm
AltamahaDawg March 23rd, 2012 11:36 am
“Well actually for a dropped TD and a missed tackle or two (and missed call)we still couldhave won the SEC”
______________________________________
10-42 ? Are you even talking about the same game I wasted my money on ? Oh, I forget – you told us all repeatedly you do not even go to the games.
10-42 and if not for a bad call, we would have won.
New heights with each post. Congratulations.
Thomas Brown = Mr Negativity = 13-1 East (blogger) = Techie
March 23rd, 2012
12:40 pm
Seems like OL are suddenly appearing from everywhere……like sugar falling from the sky!!! Hopefully we can also sign the Maryland kid.
AltamahaDawg
March 23rd, 2012
1:07 pm
BuLLdawg I counted 2 outright lies in that post. Very disappointing.
AltamahaDawg
March 23rd, 2012
1:12 pm
Joey, you do realize that when you change some variable in an equation, the result tend to be different? In football in particular as it tend to have a cumulative effect.
My point was that while Murray can certainly improve, we ALSO have other areas that can (and would have) increased our odds of winning the SEC.
Nothing Could Be Finer
March 23rd, 2012
1:17 pm
Can’t wait to see Clowney & Co. destroy that patchwork o-line again in October.
Joey
March 23rd, 2012
1:24 pm
Sure I understand variables, but I’m still trying to figure out how my statement was “technically not true.”
Top Dawg
March 23rd, 2012
1:40 pm
All I will say is I think that CMR year in and year out puts on the field one of the most talent laden teams in the SEC, but because he is such a poor gameday coach, they continue to disappoint every year. This season, with a schedule so soft that it makes a twinkie seem harder, I really see them going 9-3 at best.
JB
March 23rd, 2012
1:42 pm
Well you know if LeMay can’t see any playing time, you know QB Tamburo, a walk on, will never see the field. Enjoy college life besides being red meat for the #1 defensive unit every practice.
Nothing Could Be Finer
March 23rd, 2012
1:44 pm
Top Dog,
Ga’s schedule isn’t soft.
Dog fans want to say this so that when the team loses they can complain more about the coach.
JB
March 23rd, 2012
1:44 pm
Top Dawg, If Richt doesn’t go at least 11-1 with THAT schedule and THIS team coming back, McGarity has made a big mistake. It ain’t like we don’t have the players.
Calhoundawg
March 23rd, 2012
1:46 pm
I can’t wait to see which middle-of-the-road no-name program South Carolina chokes to this year. Hope it’s Vanderbilt or Tennessee. And, from what I hear, Clowney may be academically ineligible. Anyway, if we score 42 points on “Clowney & Co.” again this year, y’all can hang it up. Go Dawgs !!!!
JB
March 23rd, 2012
1:47 pm
Potential 2012 Georgia losses. Mizzou,SC,Fla,AU…………..
Nothing Could Be Finer
March 23rd, 2012
1:48 pm
No way Ga scores 42 points in Columbia.
They’ll score 17 max.
Nothing Could Be Finer
March 23rd, 2012
1:49 pm
JB
March 23rd, 2012
1:47 pm
Potential 2012 Georgia losses. Mizzou,SC,Fla,AU…………..
———————————–
Thats pretty accurate.
Mizzou on the road sans a secondary will be tough.
SC is always tough.
Fla is, well, you know.
Aub on the road ain’t easy either.
JB
March 23rd, 2012
1:49 pm
Carolina will have trouble scoring on us also. Count on it.
LogicalUS
March 23rd, 2012
1:50 pm
“line wasn’t very impressive last year, so I don’t see how it’s a concern to replace these guys who left”
The logic in his post is so ABSENT that it seems almost unfair to embarrass the poster in question…..
If the staff had any available options to replace those unimpressive OL last season they would have played. UGA had only those players to go with…there were not any supermen hiding in the wings who are going to magically appear this season.
You lost unimpressive stiffs and are replacing them with even less impressive stiffs who couldn’t beat them out.
JB
March 23rd, 2012
1:55 pm
LogicalUS…………..I’ve used that same analogy with Gator fans about their QB situation. If they had a better QB than Brantley, we would of seen them, and we we did, they stunk, thus I feel Florida will have QB problems this year. They don’t buy my theory. I don’t buy yours
Nothing Could Be Finer
March 23rd, 2012
1:57 pm
JB
March 23rd, 2012
1:49 pm
Carolina will have trouble scoring on us also. Count on it.
———————————–
Agreed.
SC will truly miss Alshon next year and who knows whats gonna happen with Latti.
8-18 all 11 yrs vs 10-Win Opponents. AP Poll Top 10 one-time after 2005 - 2005 was eight (8) seasons ago now this up-coming 2012 season.
March 23rd, 2012
1:59 pm
hogwash, name the 2
Alabama | MrSEC
March 23rd, 2012
2:01 pm
[...] thinks O-lineman Kolton Houston — sidelined all last year with an “NCAA issue — will be eligible to play this fall.15. John Calipari and Tom Crean — buddies off the court — will battle for a spot in [...]
The Monger
March 23rd, 2012
2:04 pm
To Answer Zoli: I’m not sure what you mean 3rd Db? I think you are talking about 5th db in nickel situations, right? The 4 db’s we will have on the field will for Mizzou will probably be Damian Swann at one corner, Malcolm Mitchell at the other, Sean Williams at SS, and Bacari Rambo at FS. Now keep in mind that Brandon Smith is still not out of this game for sure, the UGA athletic dept. has said the penalty for first offense involving drugs, is 10 percent of season, or for football 1 game, but it is left to the coach’s discretion on that. So Richt still may decide that 1 game is fair enough and not add additional games. Take into consideration that Smith is a Senior, and this is his first and only offense in 4 years on campus. So there is a probability that Branden Smith plays at Mizzou. In that case, Swann moves to nickel. If he doesn’t play there will be a competition between most likely Devin Bowman, Sheldon Dawson (#1 corner in TN last year), and Corey Moore. All 3 are young, fast, and very promising. This of course changes after Mizzou, when Commings and Smith are back for sure. Malcolm would probably go back to playing mainly WR, im guessing, unless he amazes in those 2 games, and Swann moves to Nickel back.
AltamahaDawg
March 23rd, 2012
2:05 pm
“no way will we win the SEC.” As I understand that, you “technically” say it’s impossible, is not circumstance under which that could happen.
I am saying that there IS a way we could (and even could have this past year) win the SEC even with his mistakes, albiet more difficult, depending on some othr factors.
I’m not saying we definetely would have, or should have, or that his mistake were not a factor.
Personally, I have absolutely no doubt that Murray is going to improve this season in those trouble areas.
Calhoundawg
March 23rd, 2012
2:05 pm
My point was, “Nothing Could Be Lamer”, is that you didn’t “destroy” anything last year. You were lucky to leave with a “W” and Spurrier said so. Our defense will be lights out, and you all will have no Garcia or Jeffery. Plus, I’ll take our 2012 offense against your 2012 defense every day of the week and twice on Saturday. See you in Columbia — Go Dawgs !!!!
8-18 all 11 yrs vs 10-Win Opponents. AP Poll Top 10 one-time after 2005 - 2005 was eight (8) seasons ago now this up-coming 2012 season.
March 23rd, 2012
2:05 pm
“Top Dog, Ga’s schedule isn’t soft.
Dog fans want to say this so that when the team loses they can complain more about the coach.”
________________________________________________________
Are we talking about 2012, because 2013 with his entire defense GONE, he plays Alabama and LSU – 2 more losses, which would have been 6 for the season just over.
(1) 2-10 Ole Miss at Sanford Stadium and
(2) 0-00 Georgia Southern at Sanford Stadium and
(3) 1-11 Florida Atlantic at Sanford Stadium and
(4) 3-09 Buffalo bills at Sanford Stadium and
(5) Vandie with their losing record too and
(6) vols with their losing record as well
These are the 6 Home Games other than lowly (7) Georgia tek which we have at Sanford Stadium.
You obviously are not a seasons’ ticket holder, or you would know this.
Nothing Could Be Finer
March 23rd, 2012
2:08 pm
Calhoundog,
No Garcia is fine. No Jeffery is not fine but SC’s defense will be more stout next year (believe it or not).
That game will be a bloodbath, but I like SC’s chances at home.
The Monger
March 23rd, 2012
2:09 pm
My prediciton for the OL this year is
LT- John Theus
LG- Kenarious Gates
C- David Andrews
RG- Chris Burnette
RT- Watts Dantzler
I think Theus is SEC ready as soon as he gets here this summer. He is already so technically sound, and strong enough to handle LT. I think Mark Beard, Kolton Houston, and Dallas Lee will get significant playing time as well.
Nothing Could Be Finer
March 23rd, 2012
2:12 pm
Monger,
You can say what you want about Theus, but starting a true freshman on the o-line is never a good feeling.
JB
March 23rd, 2012
2:19 pm
The killer for Carolina playing Dawgs this year is that it’s game 6, not game 2 after they warm up with Charleston Barber college. Spurrier has always spent ALL summer prepping for us….not this year. Also, ANYONE who knows anything about Richt knows his teams get stronger as the year goes on, not weaker,,,,and anybody that follows Carolina knows they get worse as the year goes on. ALL facts.
The Monger
March 23rd, 2012
2:20 pm
Why are people so scared of the Mizzou game, they were a middle of the road Big 12 team last year, and they have never seen an SEC defense like Georgia’s in quite a while. South Carolina is the only team during the regular season that scares me. I doubt Mizzou’s defense (on the lower end of Div. 1) will keep our offense off the field at all, and we will probably score at least 35-38 points. UGA is returning 10 of 11 starters from a defense that was #4 overall in the Nation last year, and you are worried about a mid-tier Big 12 team? I understand we won’t have Commings, and possibly Smith, but still we have Malcolm Mitchell and Damian Swann to take their place. So it will either be Mitchell and Smith or Mitchell and Swann at Cornerback. Not to mention our All-American Safeties Sean Williams and Baccari Rambo. We have the best linebacking unit in the country with Jarvis Jones, Alec Ogletree, Michael Gilliard, Amarlo Herrara, Christian Robinson, and Cornelius Washington. Our defensive line has Kwame Geathers, John Jenkins, Abry Jones, Garrison Smith, and Ray Drew. I highly doubt they score more than 10 points on that defense.
The Monger
March 23rd, 2012
2:22 pm
Forgot to add Josh Harvey-Clemons to the mix at linebacker….man, this defense is DEEP and should certainly scare ANY team in the Nation, even an Alabama or LSU.
JB
March 23rd, 2012
2:22 pm
Monger.Agree. Go Dawgs.
JB
March 23rd, 2012
2:26 pm
Vegas must know something. Early betting, Dawgs 12-1 odds to win the NC, like in the top 6…..Carolina by the way, 30-1, way down on the list. Those boys out there pretty good at picks.
Google yourself for a fact check Mr. Carolina. Laugh away.
stupid redneck dawgfan
March 23rd, 2012
2:27 pm
I can’t wait to see which middle-of-the-road no-name program South Carolina chokes to this year….
one of those I can’t wait to see which middle-of-the-road no-name program won’t be georgia…and the description DOES fit you clowns…
8-18 all 11 yrs vs 10-Win Opponents. AP Poll Top 10 one-time after 2005 - 2005 was eight (8) seasons ago now this up-coming 2012 season.
March 23rd, 2012
2:27 pm
1-year window 2012 only. And, it only because of the 12 regular season games, only 1 ended in any top 25 poll.
After 2012 :
(1) Lose 14 Defensive Players all 14 of whom have or will have Started
(2) play Alabama and LSU 2013 – which if we played 2011 regular season would have made six (6) losses.
Nothing Could Be Finer
March 23rd, 2012
2:28 pm
JB
March 23rd, 2012
2:19 pm
The killer for Carolina playing Dawgs this year is that it’s game 6, not game 2 after they warm up with Charleston Barber college. Spurrier has always spent ALL summer prepping for us….not this year.
———————————————
Guess he’ll spend all summer prepping for Vandy this year.
The wildcard will be Lattimore.
He should be at full strength come October if everything goes as planned.
So, the dogs better learn how to tackle him if they want a win.
JB
March 23rd, 2012
2:31 pm
NCBF………………The defense you see this year from the Dawgs will probably be the best ya’ll see all year. All the early pre seasson love the Dawgs are getting is from this #4 ranked defense coming back in tact. Buckle up.
JB
March 23rd, 2012
2:33 pm
And maybe, just maybe, we don’t gift wrap 20 something points this year. Your offense scored 17 on our D last year. Look it up.
Top Dawg
March 23rd, 2012
2:33 pm
They have one of the easiest schedules in the country, even easier than the 10 straight they won last season, and SHOULD be able to win at least 11, but with CMR and CMBooBoo running the show, at least 3 losses(Mizzou, USCe, Florida, Vandy, Auburn the possibilities)and no trip to Atlanta to be embarrassed again by either LSU or Alabama.
stupid redneck dawgfan
March 23rd, 2012
2:33 pm
Why are people so scared of the Mizzou game, they were a middle of the road Big 12 team last year, and they have never seen an SEC defense like Georgia’s in quite a while….
they put 28 on oklahoma in norman…maybe uga is better than oklahoma???…only in your stupid redneck minds…hahahahahaha….
Joey
March 23rd, 2012
2:34 pm
I wrote, “Until he cleans that stuff up, no way will we win the SEC.”
Until Murray proves me wrong, what I wrote is, and will continue to be, technically true.
stupid redneck dawgfan
March 23rd, 2012
2:35 pm
ps…only by miracle tackle by your legacy punter did you beat vandy…mizzou ain’t new mexico state…you ‘necks will soon find that out…
Nothing Could Be Finer
March 23rd, 2012
2:35 pm
JB,
Same goes for SC. Clowney & Co will be as strong as last year. All the starting linebackers are seniors and the secondary will be better next year. Better hope Murray doesn’t turn the ball over against this team if you want to win.
Joey
March 23rd, 2012
2:42 pm
“….and they have never seen an SEC defense like Georgia’s in quite a while.”
****************************************
Monger, you weren’t one of our fans writing that same line about Boise last August were you? Anybody who thinks that game will be a cakewalk needs to remember our last couple of high-profile road games – OK State and Colorado.
Yeah, it’s a different year, and we have an excellent DC, but we still have Bobo/Richt game planning for the offense.
Richt’s “national TV, big game” record ain’t so great anymore.
JB
March 23rd, 2012
2:47 pm
Joey, The Grantham extension was the big news in Athens. The stats for Richt the last 3 years against quality opposition is alarming.
8-18 all 11 yrs vs 10-Win Opponents. AP Poll Top 10 one-time after 2005 - 2005 was eight (8) seasons ago now this up-coming 2012 season.
March 23rd, 2012
2:50 pm
Last 3 years against quality opposition is alarming ?
All 11 years Mark Richt is
8 wins 18 losses against 10-Win teams
7576DAWG
March 23rd, 2012
2:59 pm
I expect the South Carolina game to be a match up between two top 10 programs. Georgia will be 4TH and South Carolina will be 8TH by then. Will be a great game. Lattimore will be at full stride by the 6TH game but we are use to getting him at his best anyway, he doesn’t get hurt until after the Georgia game. The South Carolina defense will be very good but the key to their season will be Conner Shaw.
AltamahaDawg
March 23rd, 2012
3:08 pm
If by technically true, you mean: simply your opinion based on assumptions about hypothetical situations, then yes.
But sure you understand that the term was hardly the main point to my post, right?
7576DAWG
March 23rd, 2012
3:17 pm
JB
That is interesting about Vegas having Georgia 12-1 to become national champions. It always amazes me how accurate they are. I can’t wait for the Missouri game. That will tell a lot about where Georgia stands nationally. Missouri lost a lot to graduation but their Quarterback will be back if not injured. If we win that game 35-10 then my predictions as to how good Georgia is this year will be validated. Our coaches are very excited about Georgia’s potential this year.
Joey
March 23rd, 2012
3:32 pm
I understand perfectly, AD.
I just didn’t agree that sentence in my post was, “technically not true.” And it was absolutely proven true in the Dome.