Bulldogs counting on Kenarious Gates to come through once again
Right now it looks like it will be junior Kenarious Gates who will be protecting quarterback Aaron Murray's blind side in 2012. (UGA photo by John Kelley)
ATHENS — There are a lot of question marks along Georgia’s offensive line. But there is at least one thing we know for certain: Kenarious Gates is going to be an integral part of it.
That has pretty much been that case with Gates ever since he showed up. Though he was a late addition to the 2010 recruiting class — he snapped up UGA’s last-minute offer on the eve of national signing day — Gates started three games as a true freshman and has played in every game ever since for which he was physically able.
Now a 6-foot-5, 328-pound junior, Gates’ role becomes even more significant this season. He opened spring camp as the Bulldogs’ first option at the all-important left tackle position. He is heir apparent to Cordy Glenn, who has graduated and moved on to the NFL after protecting quarterback Aaron Murray’s blind side last season.
It’s a role Gates saw coming and one he is more than happy to accept.
“I knew as soon as the bowl got over with that was a position I needed to get familiar with,” said Gates, who started nine games at left guard last season and missed two with an ankle injury. “I knew I’d probably be the guy to pick that up. So before spring ever got here I’ve been working on it, trying to get better at it.”
Gates is getting plenty of competition. Junior Austin Long is getting some looks at left tackle and the Bulldogs brought in Mark Beard from junior college to compete at that and other positions. Later this summer, 5-star signee John Theus of Jacksonville will join the fray.
For the most part, it appears to be Gates’ position to lose. He has much work to do after playing guard for the Bulldogs the past two seasons.
“It’s not that big of a difference,” he said. “You’ve just got to be quicker to the outside and to the inside. I’m somewhat used to it because I played it throughout high school and I’ve practiced at it here. . . . You’ve got to be an athlete. You’ve got to have quick feet and be athletic to play the position because it’s the blind side of the quarterback. It’s one of the most important positions out there.”
Whatever flaws and imperfections Gates may have as a left tackle, they figure to get exposed during this camp. In the spring, the Bulldogs always scrimmage the No. 1 offense and defense against each other. That means Gates is often matched up with All-American outside linebacker Jarvis Jones, who led the SEC in quarterback sacks this past season.
“Jarvis Jones is one of the best outside linebackers in the nation and we go against each other every day,” Gates said. “He helps me and I help him all the time. We’re going against each other throughout every practice. He makes me better; I make him better.”
Georgia is quite fortunate to have Gates on board. He was originally committed to Kentucky but switched when the Bulldogs offered him the day before national signing day in 2010. UGA came forward with an offer only after a couple of other prospects turned it down.
Gates ended up playing seven games in 2010 with three starts at right guard.
“I’m here now and I’m glad to be here; I never looked back at the way all that happened,” Gates said. “I’m happy to play here and now I have the opportunity to play my natural position.”
Gates played his entire career at Greenville High at left tackle. He calls “The Blind Side” his favorite movie and Michael Oher, the inspiration for said movie, his favorite player.
So if anybody is anxious about Gates playing left tackle, it’s not Gates.
“I’ve got to get better with my footwork and with my hands,” Gates said. “But overall I feel like I’ve done good there. . . . They wouldn’t put me there if they didn’t think I could do it. They’ve believed in me and trusted me to fill other positions.”
Now the Bulldogs are looking for Gates to come through once again.
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171 comments Add your comment
Gulf Shores Dawg
March 26th, 2012
6:23 pm
Way to go , Big Dawg Gates! 2012 gonna be rockin in Athens!!!!
Joey
March 26th, 2012
6:27 pm
ESPN: “The Tide is 48-6 over the past four seasons. Saban has restored the program to the point that a 10-3 title followup in 2010 was viewed as a big disappointment.”
*********************************************
Saban should coach at UGA.
All you gotta do in Athens is go 10-4 to get a raise and extension . . .
AltamahaDawg
March 26th, 2012
6:51 pm
You need to study the culture and history of Georgia more, if you think that a Saban, or the events that lead to his being at Bama, would be a good fit.
TampaGator
March 26th, 2012
6:55 pm
AltamahaDawg….
Meyer never mentioned “character” as a focal point of his recruiting the way that Muschamp has…repeatedly. In addition, Meyer never handled players the way Mushcamp has when they get into trouble (Muschamp has dismissed some serious talent at Florida already for repeat offenses). He has also asked certain players to go play elsewhere for not buying in to the new way of doing things in Gainesville. It is obvious that Mushcamp has begun a “new and improved” brand of Florida Gators football (there are no entitled players under his leadership and you earn everything you get on the practice field….and I like it a lot. And the team, I believe, will be drastically improved this coming year. And he has already proven (and is currently doing it again) what an outstanding recruiter he is.
Big Ol Stinger
March 26th, 2012
6:56 pm
Usually don’t post on the UGA blog, but since the Tech blog is closed and I need to vent………….
A tennis coach charged with rape and drug posession………………really? Son of a B, it F’n embarrasing to be a GD Tech fan these days. They need to clean F’n house, starting with Radakovich.
Thanks for the space……I feel better now.
TampaGator
March 26th, 2012
7:02 pm
Joey….
It is obvious to any open-minded college football fan that Saban is the best college football coach in America…..period. He was also that good at LSU and left. Sometimes those national title or else demands and presssure can motivate a coach to pack his bags for a new challenge….
AltamahaDawg
March 26th, 2012
7:05 pm
I don’t have any reason to doubt he cracks down on knucklehead when they screw up. That a completely different thing though. And good for him. (funny to see you all turn on what a rotten coach Meyer was though)
You said he was picking and choosing “good character” on the FRONT side. Everybody says that repeatedly. And I am saying if he knows what kids might screw up 2 or 3 yrs later, he is wasting his time as a mere football coach. I assume he isn’t recruiting high school hooligans, nobody is.
Thomas Brown = Mr Negativity = 13-1 East (blogger) = Techie
March 26th, 2012
7:07 pm
Good job Stinger!!!! I think you feel a lot better now.
AltamahaDawg
March 26th, 2012
7:09 pm
I think Saban is probably the best coach in the game now. But there, at Alabama, where he fits very well. I have said so many times.
Chip Towers
March 26th, 2012
8:31 pm
“leg humpers” an unacceptable term for obvious reasons. If it’s in your handle, change it. All references will be deleted going forward.
Jockich Ahn Smelley, II
March 26th, 2012
9:21 pm
Is Ken-arious like Kenneth?????? Really????
Mobile Dawg
March 26th, 2012
9:44 pm
And tell me why Saban (theoritically according to you) wouldn’t be a good fit at Georgia?
Mobile Dawg
March 26th, 2012
9:49 pm
Saban’s first year at Bama was a real challenge. The players had to learn who was in charge, those who didn’t buy in were gone in short order. The results since have spoken volumes. I for one would love to imagine what it would be like for someone like Saban to step in and “take control”. Richt doesn’t “command” the respect of his players, that’s obvious. Not saying his approach “never” works, but it doesn’t work consistently.
Real OL... Get it Right
March 26th, 2012
10:41 pm
I’m not worried about AM’s blind side. Chip, please ask these guys what they are doing to be more effective in the run game. I don’t care about their footwork and their hands. This isn’t a ballet company. This is SEC football. What are they going to do if we’re back in the SECCG and we need to pick up a tough 3 or 4 yards against a nasty LSU or Bama D-line to keep a drive going? Are they going to do the cha cha with them or block them? I don’t care how quick their damn feet are or how good their hands are. Who cares. We’re not going to win anything untill they start PUSHING PEOPLE BACKWARDS. This offense and coaching staff simply does not get it I’m afraid.
dawgfan,
have you actually ever played offensive line? I seriously doubt it or you would understand the importance of doing the little things like good hands and good feet. Hands move faster than hats(helmets) and deliver half of your blow to the defender. Good hands also keeps you in good position on the inside which results in less holding calls. The importance of feet is simply position for running plays. Your first 3-5 steps will determine the kind of position that you have on your defender. If your feet suck then you lost off the snap of the ball. Please get educated. Running like a bull into a person is what D-Line does. Doing that as an O Lineman will get you face down on the ground right where you should be blocking while your running back is getting some dental work from a defensive lineman
FL Jacket
March 26th, 2012
10:57 pm
Wow…so this is what it feels like to be on a blog where derogatory comments about your team’s Defensive captain and top LB, who can no longer play football because of a neck injury, wouldn’t be tolerated…
AltamahaDawg
March 26th, 2012
10:57 pm
As I said, history and culture as it relates to the football programs. Alabama was smart to hire a guy like Saban, for them, but they are clearly different in how they go about it.
FL Jacket
March 26th, 2012
10:59 pm
Can’t say “heg lumpers”, but you can say this around here…
“F’n embarrasing to be a GD Tech fan these days. They need to clean F’n house, starting with Radakovich”
AltamahaDawg
March 26th, 2012
11:11 pm
Darn tech fans can’t catch a break trolling Georgia blogs, can they?
FL Jacket
March 26th, 2012
11:16 pm
Wrong is wrong. Facts are facts.
Fully expect to be taken down within 2 hours…maybe less
Dawg48
March 26th, 2012
11:17 pm
Mobile Dawg
March 26th, 2012
9:49 pm
Saban’s first year at Bama was a real challenge. The players had to learn who was in charge, those who didn’t buy in were gone in short order. The results since have spoken volumes. I for one would love to imagine what it would be like for someone like Saban to step in and “take control”. Richt doesn’t “command” the respect of his players, that’s obvious. Not saying his approach “never” works, but it doesn’t work .
“Command ” respect? If you command people to respect you are they truly respecting you?
Respect is not commanded it’s earned. Napolian and Hitler types commanded people to respect them. If you respect others they respect you back.
Dawg48
March 26th, 2012
11:20 pm
re·spect [ri-spekt] Show IPA
noun
1.
a particular, detail, or point (usually preceded by in ): to differ in some respect.
2.
relation or reference: inquiries with respect to a route.
3.
esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or ability: I have great respect for her judgment.
4.
deference to a right, privilege, privileged position, or someone or something considered to have certain rights or privileges; proper acceptance or courtesy; acknowledgment: respect for a suspect’s right to counsel; to show respect for the flag; respect for the elderly.
5.
the condition of being esteemed or honored: to be held in respect.
Dawg48
March 26th, 2012
11:22 pm
From this point on I COMMAND every one to respect me on this blog!
From now on call me MR DAWG48!
2 SEC Championships
March 27th, 2012
4:04 am
bham dawg March 26th, 2012 12:35 pm
“@2 SEC CHAMPIONSHIPS… I understand your frustration with richt but who would we replace him with? If you hire a new coach you are looking at at least 3 years before we are even competing again. The fall out within the program would do much more harm than good if we let Richt go. I believe in McGarity and for him to give Richt an extension I fully believe he thinks Richt can turn this thing around.”
__________________________________________________
I like Mark Richt. He does well in recruiting. He does not do well in hiring his coaching staff, discipline, and offense. I am absolutely certain that the issues we have as a football program such as home game schedule exacerbated by insistence to play in JAX, not having a full field indoor practice facility, being # 6 in SEC in wins and # 21 nationally in wins after 2005, are all a direct result of the fact that not enough of us are frustrated – not the least of which is Mark Richt himself. Thank you for the shout.
2 SEC Championships
March 27th, 2012
4:50 am
Big Ol Stinger March 26th, 2012 6:56 pm
“A Georgia Tech tennis coach charged with rape and cocaine marijuana drug posession………………really? It is embarrasing to be a Tech fan these days. They need to clean house, starting with Radakovich.”
___________________________________________
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/ga-tech-assistant-coach-facing-rape-drug-charges/nLdBD/
This has been a really bad year for Georgia tek already March 2012, your football player Most Wanted FBI Reuben Houston for 93 lbs of drugs on your campus in a van daughter in lap to sell it, Football and Men’s Basketball put on Major Infractions Database NCAA PROBATION, back-to-back in FOOTBALL, Tennis Coach arrested for rape and cocaine etc last night, Lost in Baseball to Georgia again, finished in all the polls for 2011-2012 not ranked in football again, lost in football to Georgia again for the 10th time in the 11 years of our mediocre coach only # 6 of SEC and only # 21 nationally after 2005, men’s basketball worst season in years which is saying something, and your fans over here in our blog WHINING about how your APR and Graduation Rates stink to high heaven compared to ours and you bragging you are # 36 in the nation – like that is Harvard at # 36. You pompous losers with all the bad press you have to attempt to ignore while you have 29 % women in student body downtown in a city of 6 million, next to the slums while daily your students are absolutely not safe and no one attending anything for the fear of muggings and robberies. Can I ask you a question sir ? Did you graduate from Georgia tek ?
Christy Daniel
March 27th, 2012
5:32 am
I believe in u ken !!! Soooooo proud of u… Ur cousin & ghs alumni
2 SEC Championships
March 27th, 2012
5:42 am
TampaGator March 26th, 2012 2:32 pm
“@Joey…… I don’t believe a single Muschamp recruit has been arrested for anything yet”
___________________________________________
HOGWASH propaganda, no different than the Mark Richt fans’ posts to this blog about how great he is, too.
2010 Will Muschamp hired by Jeremy Foley, December 11, 2010. Recruiting Class February, three months later, he signed
A.C. LEONARD # 6 best Tight End in nation
Feb 15, 2012 he is arrested and charged with pushing his live-in girlfriend to the ground banging her head on a dog cage there, then grabbing her by the hair and yanking her out of the apt.
Nice character, son, for a Will Muschamp Scholarship he gave him over a year prior.
7-6 as a head football coach, Will Muschamp has been fiery on the field during games, and ended the season 3-5 in The SEC East – a very DOWN division.
Bragged all year 2010 and 2011 about how he was going to beat Georgia.
The tight end is the tenth Florida player arrested since Will Muschamp took over as head coach.
Who COMMANDS RESPECT ?
Who respects whom ?
Will Muschamp allows A.C. LEONARD whom he gave a Scholarship to last season in February 2011 three months after being hired as coach at Florida to attend the pro-day :
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_uf/2012/03/uf-tight-end-a-c-leonard-remains-suspended-attends-pro-day.html
Florida’s lone true freshman to record a reception on the season, A.C. LEONARD is an example of the very best recruits Will Muschamp can possibly find anywhere.
Beating up little girls and dragging them around by their hair after pushing them to the ground banging their head on dog cages. Really nice
LIAR
TampaGator
Kingdaddy
March 27th, 2012
5:49 am
Mr.Dawg48
Are you Commanding or Demanding? Let me be the first to congratulate you on your uber-respectability. Can you spare a little respect for GT? They’re a little down on their luck right now and if you’ve got a little extra respect laying around, they could sure use it. Have a very respectful day…
Kingdaddy
March 27th, 2012
6:15 am
This is how I see it. The SECe has been in a little slump, but like Everything else, nothing remains the same. This is true and will not change. OK, UGA was a.little ahead of the eastern curve but I don’t expect for Florida or Tennessee to remain in a slump for much longer. Notice I’m not talking about S.C.because well, they’re S.C. The SECw will fall as the SECe rises. I’m not saying they won’t be good, just that the east Will retake the lead, just like the west retook the lead back from us. Hope it’s not to confusing, that’s just the way it is. It’s delusional to think you’ll never lose another game or will always be N.C. Poor ol Alabama fans…
Kingdaddy
March 27th, 2012
6:18 am
Crickets???
2 SEC Championships
March 27th, 2012
6:41 am
What’s delusional is to believe we are doing well, are fine, can beat top teams, IC will have 1600 yards and win Heisman 2012, Aaron Murray will win the Heisman or play in NFL one play, that Will Muschamp is great, that USCe is repeat SECe, that Georgia tek is anything but a joke for their Academics in their Athletics’ Department which their posters come in here to our blog to discuss like then we will all stop and talk to them about their Athletics’ Dept none of us give a hoot about joke that it is, that we have nothing to do with our own Schedule of Home Games 2012 for my seasons’ tickets, that Mizzou is not a run-oriented offense, not a pass-happy one, that our QB is better than Mizzou’s QB, or the vols’ QB, or the Arky QB, or anyone else’s QB, that it is ok to discuss Georgia tek’s Arrest News Overnight in their Athletics’ Dept bad news continuing saga but that it isn’t ok to admit we have our own issues such as # 21 nation after 2005 in wins and # 6 SEC after 2005 in wins for now this 8th season since up-coming 2012 campaign of nothing but cupcakes with 1 team on the entire regular season schedule of 12 games who made it to the top 25 just released for 2011-2012, while we start # 6 in the nation and Mike Bobo is great, Mark Richt the # 4 best coach in America never mind have to discount every coach not been at their school for 11 years – when only 6 have, meaning two-thirds of those are better than he too; yet we are instilled as 12-1 odds to win the national championship 2012 with 9 consecutive losses to teams who made the top 25 and 7 consecutive losses all the way back to 2006 who made the top 10.
2 SEC Championships
March 27th, 2012
6:41 am
Or that you are a better fan because you do want to come in here and talk about Las Vegas 12:1 odds UGA wins NC.
Kingdaddy
March 27th, 2012
6:48 am
Things Change …
Kingdaddy
March 27th, 2012
7:16 am
Chip
Nice article on Gates, he’s a DGD. Can you get us an update on the Fullback situation? ??
AltamahaDawg
March 27th, 2012
7:17 am
I agree. If the rest of us would pretend that we are doing more, your doing absolutely nothing would seem more important.
Chip Towers
March 27th, 2012
7:51 am
Kingdaddy: Sure, I’ll check it out and ask about FBs today.
Chip Towers
March 27th, 2012
8:00 am
PaulPaul: DeBell and Ward just have to get healthy. Ward’s coming off of knee surgery and DeBell had work done on an ankle. Both are limping pretty good right now but each is expected to return for summer camp. A agree that both players will eventually be good linemen.
Joey
March 27th, 2012
8:01 am
History and culture? Saban not a good fit? Lol.
Yeah, what program would want a coach who has won 3 BCS Titles, with two different (pathetic before he got there) teams, in the same time frame of Richt’s tenure in Athens? A coach who works his butt off, and fires unproducing assistants. A coach who has not been on NCAA probation, and I bet has less than half of the secondary violations that Richt and Co have committed.
But obviously, the UGAAA is full of folks who are perfectly happy with being “better than average.” 10 WINS – WHOO HOO!!
I guess you’re right though, Saban would not “be a good fit,” cause Saban wants to be the best.
Kingdaddy
March 27th, 2012
8:02 am
Chip, thank-you so much. You know how important they are to a power running game. Could be a big year for UGAs run game if Coach Bobo will use ALL of his resources and not just his W/Rs. 2012 Year of the Dawg…
2 SEC Championships
March 27th, 2012
8:09 am
Mike Bobo had Knowshon Moreno 2008. In the only 3 games we played all season long, he averaged giving Knowshon the football 17 plays a game. Coincidently, we therefore, gave up 29, 31 and 42 consecutive points in all 3 losses. By stark contrast, Aaron Murray threw 403 mostly errant passes, ending up the # 72 QB in the nation 2011 in pass completion percentage and has averaged 1 yard a carry in his 2 years with 173 carries himself, doing too much. 2012 all that goes out the window.
AltamahaDawg
March 27th, 2012
8:14 am
Yes I get it Joey. Becky has a prettier dress.
AltamahaDawg
March 27th, 2012
8:28 am
You simply ignore the various thing that seperate Alabama and UGA when it come to the football program. Lets just ignore everything that our administration and fanbase has specifically said they dislike about some of whats going on over there. Obviously people prefer to win ballgames rather than lose. Yea, ok. So we just be, not us, to get there? better to me us, and get there, as we have before. We don’t have any history of hiring and firing handfuls of coach to find that next guy. We have no history of going out and simply paying the highest salary we can, to hire the biggest name out there, with no regard to how long that will last, as long as we win, and big. That’s perfectly fine. its smart .I’ve said that. If it fits. It’s just not who we are. Don’t like that? Not sure what to tell you. It is what it is. Denying that, and just pointing out Saban success……really? come on. You know exactly what I am talking about.
The Tide is rolling and nothing can stop it
March 27th, 2012
8:31 am
Mike Bobo’s offense placed 4th in the SEC in scoring with a patch work line, 5 ft backup quarterback, and a man-baby of a running back and you guys want to fire him and promote the Mr. Choke who averaged 39 pts to ranked teams.
And you call Alabamians dumb…
AltamahaDawg
March 27th, 2012
8:39 am
The other point is that, IMO, Alabama has hired a better pure winning football coach than anybody in the SEC, ACC, or the country probably. So what are they ALL suppose to do, fire thier guy and go pay Saban 10 million dollars?
Mobile Dawg
March 27th, 2012
8:58 am
Dawg 48, your bending and twisting of my words is humorous. There are numerous ways you can earn the respect of those who report to you. Saban is “no nonsense”, Richt is “no nonsense”, what’s the difference. It would seem from the outside looking in that Saban is the one who has his players respect, regardless of how he got it. It’s so obvious in Athens that the culture that Altamaha speaks of has changed dramatically since Richt has been here. “Command Respect” is a short phrase that can be taken “literally” several different ways. I have no problem with a coach’s attitude, style, philosophy, preparation, work ethic, etc “commanding the respect” of his players. I guess that’s why I have a problem with Mark Richt the “coach”.
Mobile Dawg
March 27th, 2012
9:02 am
While I wouldn’t want to marry her I sure would like to date her, Becky that is.
Joey
March 27th, 2012
9:13 am
Becky kicks our girl’s ass too.
I made a sarcastic remark yesterday regarding Saban’s new raise and extension, in effect citing our lower standards for new contract extensions – you know, if he were in Athens, he wouldn’t have to bother winning BCS Titles, just hit that 10-win threshhold . . . You are the one who took a facetious remark and tried to make something serious about it.
I get it. It IS what it is. I’m a lifelong UGA fan, therefore I know well that most UGA fans want more, but as long as the administration and AA are happy with 10 wins, 10 wins is what we’ll get. Unless of course, our coach forgets to study football for a few years at the time . . .
Joey
March 27th, 2012
9:17 am
I wonder if Saban hugs a committed recruit, or shakes his hand like a man?
Just wondering . . .
TampaGator
March 27th, 2012
9:18 am
Enter your comments here
2 SEC Championships
March 27th, 2012
10:04 am
“Obviously people prefer to win ballgames rather than lose.”
________________________________________________
Huh, ?
Which is it ?
You would rather LOSE ballgames, say we don’t have the history # 11 all-time in wins, want to keep the # 21 nationally wins instead after 2005, be # 6 in wins just compared to 2012 SEC teams after 2005, and as long as you say we don’t over-sign with 109 signed to his 85-man limit and only 78 today on Scholarship counting 3 walk-ons who never play offense or defense. The guy is such a scum and Alabama well their # 1 and want these 3 BCS NC in The SEC Nick Saban has in the Mark Richt era.
Forget that Auburn has BCS NC. Forget that Florida has two BCS NC. Forget LSU has 2 BCS NC.
We’re UGA. We do it the RIGHT WAY HERE.
No Expectations.
Everything is fine.
# 6 in SEC just good enough for us Georgia Bulldogs’ Football fans like you who don’t even go the games, just blog how we do it the RIGHT WAY here at UGA
for you. 26 of our Scholarships Mark Richt gave out for 2012 transferred out, to which YOU said to each good riddance.
yeah, boy, I just love it how we do it – according to you. You don’t know what to tell the 65 posters who have told you we’re not like you. We actually hold him accountable on and off the field.
MOSTLY for being # 6 in SEC after 2005
you know ?
After the Jim Donnan recruits were all gone.
AltamahaDawg
March 27th, 2012
10:05 am
Personally, I believe that the “just happy to win 10 games” is a complete straw man argument. Pure blog drama. I suspect McGarity would laugh you out of his office to even suggest that.