Defensive-minded Black Team favored over Red as G-Day rosters revealed
ATHENS – Georgia finally released its rosters for the G-Day Game late Wednesday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Basically the Black Team is the defensive team and the Red Team is the offensive team. The No. 1 units for those respective sides of the ball are represented and they’re stacked even deeper at certain positions. Accordingly, expect the Black, with two All-Americans and 10 returning starters, to be favored to win.
- Quarterbacks Aaron Murray and Hutson Mason are both on the Red team, as well as tailbacks Isaiah Crowell and Ken Malcome and every standout wide receiver. The starting offensive line, as cited by position coach Will Friend earlier this week, is wearing red — LT Kenarious Gates, LG Dallas Lee, C David Andrews, RG Chris Burnette, RT Kolton Houston.
- The Black team features the entire starting defense and includes newly minted cornerback Malcolm Mitchell. However, Mitchell is expected to have to sit out due to a recent hamstring pull.
- Noseguard Kwame Geathers ended up on the Red team along with defensive end Garrison Smith, an indication they finished the spring behind John Jenkins and Cornelius Washington, respectively.
- Mike Gilliard is at middle linebacker with the Black squad while Christian Robinson is with the Red. Jarvis Jones and Chase Vasser are the Black team OLBs.
- True freshman tailback Keith Marshall is listed with the Black but is doubtful due to a hamstring injury. If he doesn’t go, every other back on that offense originally walked on at UGA. The Red team’s Richard Samuel (concussion) also is not expected to play.
- There are only six defensive backs on the Black squad and one of those is strong safety Shawn Williams, who is expected to miss with a minor knee injury. With no other safety listed on the roster, don’t be surprised if Sanders Commings plays safety and Damian Swann starts at corner. Williams’ backup Corey Moore is with the Red team.
- There are 50 players on the Red roster and 53 on the Black. But cornerback Devin Bowman is listed on both rosters and there is expected to be much switching back and forth, especially at positions at which the hierarchy hasn’t been firmly set.
- There are no celebrity coaches or any other gimmicks surrounding this year’s game. Remember to bring at least one canned good for admission and the 3 p.m. game is scheduled to be televised on tape delay by CSS at 5 p.m. on Saturday. . . .
BLACK TEAM
No. Name Pos. Class Hgt. Wgt. Hometown
1 Branden Smith DB Sr. 5-11 176 Atlanta, Ga.
2 Parker Welch QB RSo. 6-3 204 Jesup, Ga.
4 Keith Marshall RB Fr. 5-11 202 Raleigh, N.C.
5 Damian Swann DB So. 5-11 177 Atlanta, Ga.
6 Michael Erdman WR RSo. 5-10 191 Merritt Island, Fla.
6 John Jenkins DL Sr. 6-3 351 Meriden, Conn.
7 Greg Bingham QB RSo. 6-4 223 Columbus, Ga.
9 Alec Ogletree ILB Jr. 6-3 236 Newnan, Ga.
9 Curtis Wyatt WR RSo. 6-1 195 Locust Grove, Ga.
10 Faton Bauta QB Fr. 6-3 222 West Palm Beach, Fla.
16 Christian Lemay QB RFr. 6-2 198 Matthews, N.C.
17 Rantavious Wooten WR Jr. 5-10 185 Belle Glade, Fla.
18 Bacarri Rambo DB Sr. 6-0 218 Donalsonville, Ga.
19 Sanders Commings DB Sr. 6-2 217 Augusta, Ga.
20 Brandon Harton RB Jr. 5-6 174 Reidsville, Ga.
23 Alex Parsons RB Jr. 5-10 194 Fayetteville, Ga.
25 Rhett McGowan WR Jr. 6-0 190 Calhoun, Ga.
26 Malcolm Mitchell DB So. 6-1 184 Valdosta, Ga.
29 Jarvis Jones OLB Jr. 6-3 241 Columbus, Ga.
29 Jamal Payette WR RFr. 6-3 183 Cleveland, Ga.
33 Kyle Karempelis RB So. 5-9 180 Roswell, Ga.
33 Chase Vasser OLB Jr. 6-3 227 Gainesville, Ga.
35 Michael Gilliard ILB Sr. 6-2 220 Valdosta, Ga.
35 Chris Young RB Jr. 6-1 230 Hinesville, Ga.
36 Shawn Williams DB Sr. 6-1 220 Damascus, Ga.
37 Devin Bowman DB RFr. 6-0 175 Rossville, Ga.
42 Dustin Royston RB Jr. 5-11 242 Royston, Ga.
45 Ben Mozingo RB Fr. 6-0 225 Alpharetta, Ga.
49 Corey Campbell RB RSo. 5-10 210 Hephzibah, Ga.
55 Ben Reynolds OL Jr. 6-2 255 Bainbridge, Ga.
59 Nathan Theus SP RFr. 6-3 254 Jacksonville, Fla.
63 Xzavier Ward OL RFr. 6-7 264 Moultrie, Ga.
66 Hunter Long OL So. 6-4 300 Memphis, Tenn.
70 Eddie McQuillen OL RFr. 6-8 264 Newnan, Ga.
74 Austin Long OL Jr. 6-5 304 Memphis, Tenn.
76 Zach DeBell OL RFr. 6-6 273 Tarpon Springs, Fla.
77 Caleb Drake OL RFr. 6-1 275 Hogansville Ga.
78 Watts Dantzler OL So. 6-7 310 Dalton, Ga.
79 Mark Beard OL So. 6-5 300 Adamsville, Ala.
81 Taylor Bradberry WR Sr. 6-3 192 Winder, Ga.
83 Cornelius Washington DL Sr. 6-4 269 Hephzibah, Ga.
84 Hugh Williams TE RSo. 6-5 254 Atlanta, Ga.
85 Geoff Rapp TE RFr. 6-3 230 Kennesaw, Ga.
87 Jay Rome TE RFr. 6-6 254 Valdosta, Ga.
89 Daniel Williams TE Fr. 6-2 220 Lawrenceville, Ga.
93 Patrick Beless SP Fr. 5-9 155 Atlanta, Ga.
93 Abry Jones DL Sr. 6-3 309 Warner Robins,Ga.
96 Mike Thornton DL RSo. 6-1 287 Stone Mountain, Ga.
97 Adam Erickson SP RSo. 5-10 168 Athens, Ga.
98 Cody Johnson SP RSo. 6-1 200 Marietta, Ga.
RED TEAM
No. Name Pos. Class Hgt. Wgt. Hometown
1 Isaiah Crowell RB So. 5-11 215 Columbus, Ga.
3 Blake Sailors DB Jr. 5-11 186 Athens, Ga.
4 Luis Capella DB Jr. 5-10 176 Augusta, Ga.
5 Ben Shelton QB Fr. 6-1 180 Wayland, Mass.
7 Jesse Jones DB RFr. 6-0 190 Habersham, Ga.
11 Aaron Murray QB Jr. 6-1 211 Tampa, Fla.
11 Connor Norman DB RSo. 5-10 208 Duluth, Ga.
12 Austin Herod DB Jr. 5-10 191 Woodstock, Ga.
12 Tavarres King WR Sr. 6-1 192 Mount Airy, Ga.
14 Hutson Mason QB Jr. 6-3 196 Marietta, Ga.
15 Marlon Brown WR Sr. 6-5 222 Memphis, Tenn.
20 Lucas Redd DB Fr. 6-1 210 Jefferson, Ga.
22 Richard Samuel IV RB Sr. 6-2 243 Cartersville, Ga.
24 Ken Malcome RB RSo. 6-0 226 Decatur, Ga.
25 Marc Deas DB RSo. 6-1 197 Kissimmee, Fla.
27 Greg Mulkey TE RFr. 6-3 230 Fairmount, Ga.
31 Chris Conley WR So. 6-3 202 Dallas, Ga.
32 James Davis RB Fr. 5-11 215 Baronton, Ga.
37 Devin Bowman DB RFr. 6-0 175 Rossville, Ga.
39 Corey Moore DB So. 6-2 207 Griffi n, Ga.
41 Brandon Burrows ILB RSo. 6-3 240 Marietta, Ga.
43 Merritt Hall RB RFr. 5-11 216 Alpharetta, Ga.
43 Quintavious Harrow DB So. 5-11 183 Columbus, Ga.
44 T.J. Stripling OLB Jr. 6-6 222 Decatur, Ga.
44 Drew Wilson TE Jr. 6-2 206 Tignall, Ga.
45 Christian Robinson ILB Sr. 6-2 226 Norcros, Ga.
46 AJ McDonald ILB So. 6-0 240 Suwanee, Ga.
46 Alexander Ogletree RB Jr. 5-10 224 Newnan, Ga.
47 Ray Drew DL So. 6-5 263 Thomasville, Ga.
47 Taylor Maxey RB RFr. 5-10 220 Statham, Ga.
48 Kosta Vavlas ILB RSo. 6-0 219 Tarpon Springs, Fla.
51 Ramik Wilson OLB So. 6-2 224 Tampa, Fla.
52 Amarlo Herrara ILB So. 6-2 231 College Park, Ga.
56 Garrison Smith DL Jr. 6-3 294 Atlanta, Ga.
58 Sterling Bailey DL RFr. 6-3 259 Gainesville, Ga.
60 Wright Gazaway SP RFr. 6-0 240 Buford, Ga.
61 David Andrews OL So. 6-2 280 Norcross, Ga.
64 Dallas Lee OL Jr. 6-4 300 Buford, Ga.
68 Chris Burnette OL Jr. 6-2 313 LaGrange, Ga.
69 Ty Frix SP Sr. 6-0 213 Calhoun, Ga.
72 Kenarious Gates OL Jr. 6-5 328 Grantville, Ga.
75 Kolton Houston OL RSo. 6-5 291 Buford, Ga.
82 Michael Bennett WR RSo. 6-3 208 Alpharetta, Ga.
83 Jack Loonam TE RFr. 6-0 215 Lexington, S.C.
86 Justin Scott-Wesley WR RFr. 5-11 218 Camilla, Ga.
88 Ricky Lowe DL Sr. 6-7 258 Duluth, Ga.
88 Arthur Lynch TE Jr. 6-5 272 Dartmouth, Mass.
90 Ethan Jackson SP RFr. 5-11 182 Sandersville, Ga.
91 Scott Eichler SP Sr. 5-11 184 Oakwood, Ga.
92 Dexter Morant OLB RSo. 6-7 245 Manning, S.C.
95 Reuben Faloughi OLB Jr. 6-5 255 Martinez, Ga.
99 Kwame Geathers DL Jr. 6-6 350 Georgetown, S.C.
99 Jamie Lindley SP Sr. 5-11 177 Savannah, Ga.
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117 comments Add your comment
bsg3003
April 12th, 2012
3:03 pm
why is our fanbase so divided about who starts at QB? It should be a simple choice of who starts. It should be the guy that’s already played two years of SEC football. It should be the guy that took devastating hits from animals like Jadeveon Clowney and Nick Fairley. It should be the guy that completely obliterated Stafford’s TD numbers. It should be the guy that shattered the Single-Season Touchdown record in only HIS SECOND YEAR.
Fellow Dawg fans you should be ashamed of yourselves, Mason is untested, and has only faced a defense that he has been practicing against for the last 3 years. Do you really want to throw Mason into the fire when we have maybe the best chance of going to the NC in decades? (easy schedule + more seniority = better than 2008) You want to risk a guy going up against Jadeveon Clowney for the first time? Just think of what you are asking for.
WDE
April 12th, 2012
3:07 pm
Who in the world is Eric Murray?
bsg3003
April 12th, 2012
3:19 pm
How much better can Mason be anyways? throw 10 pics instead of 14? 40 TD’s instead of 35? In Mason’s first year? yeah right, keep dreaming.
His TD’s would be significantly lower, perhaps in the 24-27 range and (that’s pushing it.) I’m guessing his INT’s would be something in the 7-10 range, but i’m not sure, because I haven’t seen him face anyone! and neither have anyone else except his own coaches, who obviously think he’s not as talented or seasoned as Murray, because he’s not starting!!! Jeez people get with the program, and even if Mason shows out and passes for 300 yards and 3 TDs during G-Day it won’t matter because he would be doing it against the second team, on a SCRIMMAGE.
7576DAWG
April 12th, 2012
3:39 pm
Why did Alabama win the national championship last year? LSU’s quarterback was not that good at times and Alabama’s Quarterback didn’t make very many mistakes. Alabama didn’t beat themselves.
Aaron Murray has got to get it in his head that he doesn’t have to MAKE something happen all the time. Two great teams should be low scoring as the Alabama and LSU game was last year. The key is who will make the most mistakes at critical times and lose the game for their team . Most of the time it’s not that we won the game as much as that we lost the game because of too many mistakes.
The reason Georgia got blown out in the LSU game was because of Murray turning the ball over just before half time making the game a very close 10 to 7 when if not for of a few dropped passes and that turnover just before half Georgia could have gone in at half winning 17-0 at worst. It could have been as much as 24-0.
All Murray need to have learned from last year is sometimes it is better to just make sure you: DO NOT HURT THE TEAM . LET OUR DEFENSE WIN THE GAME SOMETIMES AS ALABAMA DID AGAINST LSU.This is not Murray’s strong point, to be patient but if he has matured and really learned something from last year he will need to be patient and let the progression of the game dictate what is the best way to go in winning the game.
GTBob
April 12th, 2012
4:21 pm
From twitter:
Spurrier not happy playing UGA later this year. “you could always count on them having 2 or 3 key players suspended.”
Gotta love the ole ball coach.
HardTruth Soldier
April 12th, 2012
4:35 pm
LeMay, is about to wake UGA Nation up! All you fans crying about Hutson, please! It’s a reason Richt wants this kid sitting, it’s simple he doesn’t want to make another mistake like hr did with Shockley. Play time is over, it’s time to let the talent shine. LeMay will rise like a hot Southern Biscuit on a cool Southern morning.
HardTruth Soldier
April 12th, 2012
4:42 pm
7576 Dawg, You forgot that Murray threw two perfect passes to two receivers in the SECCG that easily puts Georgia up by 24-0 at half. It wasn’t his fault, LSU JUST HAD TO MANY BACKS to contend with. The Defense wore down and that’s why Mark Richt recruited heavily at running back this year.
GTBob
April 12th, 2012
4:53 pm
The Defense wore down and that’s why Mark Richt recruited heavily at running back this year.
If UGA’s new strategy is to try to mimic LSU’s offense from last year then they will be worse on offense in the future. LSU wasn’t very good in any offensive category.
7576DAWG
April 12th, 2012
5:44 pm
HardTruth Soldier
I agree with you on LeMay. Richt needs to play him and see what he can do. In the G-game last year the favorite Black team, that Murray couldn’t move late in the game , scored with a minute or two left because LeMay took over and lead them all the way down the field to score and win 18-11. We will never know what LeMay can do under pressure until Richt gives him a chance and as much as everybody wants Mason, I would rather give LeMay the back up job and let Mason red shirt like they are talking about doing. The G-game will answer some of those questions.
20-yd TD in OT to Mikey Henderson
April 12th, 2012
6:28 pm
I’ll take Murray at this point. He’s on the brink of breaking through and he has improved drastically each season. If the Oline gets on the same page during the summer/fall, UGA is poised in every position except placekicker and punter. Starting two freshmen at those positions will hurt us at least once this year. The defense is going to be nasty. Tons of playmakers, lots of depth on the line and in the backers. The 1’s and 2’s look solid at DB. I’d say 13-1 this season with a BCS Bowl victory is imminent.
Christy
April 12th, 2012
6:49 pm
Red Team #32- James Davis is from BACONTON, GA. (SW Georgia- Mitchell County) He played at Baconton Charter School. GO JAMES!!!!
BonkersDog
April 12th, 2012
6:56 pm
Lemay is 4th in the rotation right now, not close to starting or back up. How much better would Mason be than Murray? Well, considering Mason has never been sacked or picked off in a game yet, that’s 2 areas for starters. He’d probably reduce the number of bad plays at QB from 30+ sacks with Murray to under 10, just can’t sack him, he has a fast release like Peyton Manning. Interceptions would drop from 14 per season with Murray, to a normal (AJ McCarron/Shaw) 6 or 7 with Mason per year. Td’s would likely go up, Mason threw 7 td;s in high school in 1 game. Wins would probably increase from 10 per year with Murray maximum due to making less sacks and interceptions, but throwing as many td’s, to 12-14 wins per season with Mason.
ugab
April 12th, 2012
9:44 pm
It is hard to get excited for Gday. There has been to much negative things happen to the dawgs. I still can not believe the players were drug tested after spring break.. It would be ok if all the other schools done the same drug testing…. Other schools are in it to win. Other schools know players would fail test, so they don’t drug test
Zumadawg
April 13th, 2012
12:58 am
Why do all you people think it so cool to come on this site and make derogatory comments about 18-22 year old kids athat are out there every pactice working their tails off to get better and represent UGA on game day. You’ve turned on the very same people that you were jumping for joy due to the news that they had selected UGA to sign with instead of brand X.. What has happened to loyalty within the Dog Nation?
Bob Guy Dog
April 13th, 2012
10:34 pm
LOL! DOGS WILL WIN; GO DOGS
Bob Guy Dog
April 13th, 2012
10:35 pm
LOL, THE DOGS WILL WIN. GO, GO, GO DAWGS!
west ga dawg
April 14th, 2012
2:51 pm
I dont know about yall but if lemay is going to be the back up to murray this season shouldnt he be with red team in case of injury he would already have his reps with the no 1’s?