2008 Football Spring Outlook

The Sugar Bowl victory was just a few minutes old when the talk began about the 2008 prospects for the Georgia football team.

The talk of a national championship run in 2008 was understandable. The Bulldogs finished with an 11-2 record, closing as one of the nation’s hottest teams, and wound up ranked No. 2 in the final APpoll and third in the final USA Today/Coaches poll. Moreover, the Bulldogs will be returning 15 of the 22 starters from the Sugar Bowl squad that rolled up a 31-point victory over Hawai’i.

Georgia coach Mark Richt doesn’t mind having his team mentioned among the nation’s elite. In fact, he welcomes it. However, he knows that any run for an SEC or national title begins with the Bulldogs’ spring practice drills.

“If guys want to start talking about it out in the open, then they have to understand there is a lot of responsibility that goes with it,” Richt said. “They have to understand that those type of seasons don’t happen by accident. They happen because you pay the price, mainly with hard work.”

The Bulldogs got off to a slow start in 2007, losing twice (both in the conference) in their first six games. But similar to the end of the 2006 campaign, the Bulldogs righted the ship with seven consecutive victories. Included in that run was a victory over Florida and the Sanford Stadium “blackout” game in which they knocked off Auburn. Georgia also sported the black jerseys in its Allstate Sugar Bowl victory.

“We hit our stride at the halfway point of the season,” Richt said. “The players responded to the things we asked them to do, and I responded to the things they asked me to do. There was a lot of drama, a lot of excitement and a lot of passion. It was an emotional year, but it was a fun year.

“I think (2007) was exciting for our fans and our players. I think we got a taste of just how close we might be toward getting that ultimate goal. I do think that we’re going to have a more veteran team than we’ve had in awhile, and I think we’ll have some good depth. We hope we’re ranked fairly high preseason. I think we’re going to return a very good football team.”

The following is a position-by-position look at the Bulldogs heading into spring practice:

QUARTERBACKS: The Bulldogs check into the spring with talent, experience and potential among their signal-callers.

Matthew Stafford (pictured right) (6-3, 237, Jr.) entrenched himself as Georgia’s quarterback and as a team leader, triggering the powerful offense last season that averaged more than 375 yards and 32 points per game. Stafford hit on 194-of-348 passes for 2,523 yards and 19 touchdowns, bouncing back from a rookie campaign in which he had seven touchdowns and was picked off 13 times.

Joe Cox (6-1, 208, Jr.) has been a valuable reserve for the Bulldogs, showing the ability to come off the bench and keep the offense clicking. Coaches remember his fourth-quarter, two-TD-drive performance off the bench to beat Colorado in 2006. Coming this spring will also be the first live-action look at Logan Gray (6-2, 180, RFr.) after his redshirt campaign. Jonathan deLaureal (6-2, 213, RSo.) also returns.

RUNNING BACKS: The return of one of the nation’s most explosive backs in 2007 has the Georgia faithful recalling why Georgia has been called “Tailback U.”

Knowshon Moreno (5-11, 207, RSo.) burst on the scene last year, rolling up 1,334 yards and scoring 14 touchdowns. His yardage figure was second-best among freshmen in school history (trailing only Herschel Walker’s 1,616) and ranked fourth-best in Southeastern Conference annals. He had a five-game span in the middle of the season in which he rushed for 766 yards and nine touchdowns. Following the year, Moreno was chosen as the SEC Freshman of the Year, named First-Team All-SEC and was a consensus Freshman All-American.

Highly touted Caleb King (5-11, 212, RFr.) will enter the mix this spring and should complement Moreno. The Bulldogs also will take a look at Kalvin Daniels (5-10, 182, So.), early enrollees Richard Samuel (6-2, 215, Fr.) and Dontavius Jackson (5-10, 190, Fr.), and Cortney Newmans (5-9, 220, RFr.). Helping pave the way for Georgia’s tailbacks will be a veteran group of fullbacks. Brannan Southerland (6-0, 240, Sr.) scored five touchdowns last season on just 17 carries, was automatic on short-yardage plays and was a punishing blocker. Shaun Chapas (6-2, 236, RSo.) and Fred Munzenmaier (6-2, 233, RSo.) each saw valuable time on offense and on special teams in 2007.

TIGHT ENDS: Traditionally, this has been a strength for the Bulldogs and 2008 appears to be no different. First-year tight ends coach John Lilly will be surrounded by players who have taken plenty of snaps.

Tripp Chandler (pictured left) (6-6, 263, Sr.) ranked third on the team last season with 21 catches for 283 yards and two touchdowns. Bruce Figgins (6-4, 254, So.) had a touchdown among his three receptions. Aron White (6-4, 228, RFr.) will enter the mix after his redshirt season. NaDerris Ward (6-5, 255, RSo.) also returns after seeing most of his action on special teams.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Despite the graduation of 2007 leading receiver Sean Bailey, the Bulldogs return six lettermen and a wealth of experience among the receivers.

At flanker, Mohamed Massaquoi (6-2, 198, Sr.) is back after hauling in 32 passes for 491 yards and four touchdowns last season. Backing him up this spring will be Michael Moore (6-1, 188, Jr.), Tony Wilson (5-11, 198, RSo.) and Israel Troupe (6-1, 215, RFr.). Moore had a touchdown catch among his three receptions in 2007, while Wilson hauled in 14 passes for 124 yards.

Kris Durham (6-5, 200, Jr.) leads the split ends, coming off a season in which he caught 11 balls for 169 yards. Kenneth Harris (6-3, 215, Sr.) and Demiko Goodman (6-2, 190, Sr.) bring more experience to the rotation. Walter Hill (6-4, 214, RFr.) continued to develop last year as he redshirted. and early enrollee Tavarres King (6-1, 172, Fr.) will get valuable reps this spring as well.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: In 2007, most of Georgia’s players in the trenches got on-the-job training as three freshmen were regular starters and rookies served as the primary backups. But their progress was unmistakable throughout the year, making them offensive leaders this season.

Left tackle Trinton Sturdivant (pictured right) (6-5, 293, So.) earned Freshman All-America and Freshman All-SEC honors last season. In the spring, he will be backed up by Josh Davis (6-6, 293, RSo.) and John Potts (6-3, 285, RFr.).

Vince Vance (6-8, 320, Jr.) will begin the spring at the top of the depth chart at left guard. Tanner Strickland (6-5, 328, RFr.) and Micky White (6-3, 331, RSo.) also will get a look.

Chris Davis (6-4, 292, RSo.) was Georgia’s starter at left guard last season, but he also logged time as team captain Fernando Velasco’s backup at center. Davis, a 2007 Freshman All-America honorable mention selection, will open the spring No. 1 on the depth chart at center, with Ben Harden (6-3, 310, RFr.), Kevin Perez (6-3, 270, RSo.) and early enrollee Ben Jones (6-3, 300, Fr.) spelling him.

Clint Boling (6-5, 290, So.) started the final 10 games of 2007 at right guard, earning Freshman All-America and Freshman All-SEC honors. Justin Anderson (6-5, 335, RFr.) and Chris Little (6-6, 335, RFr.) will vie for playing time after redshirting.
Kiante Tripp (6-6, 270, RSo.) made strides after converting from defensive end during 2007 preseason camp. He will open the spring atop the depth chart at right tackle, succeeding 2007 starter Chester Adams.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Georgia has a tradition of excellence in the trenches, and it appears the Bulldogs have the players in place to continue that tradition.

Geno Atkins (pictured left) (6-1, 290, Jr.) had a breakout season in 2007, rolling up 41 tackles, including 7.5 sacks, and a team-best 37 quarterback hurries. Following the season, Atkins garnered First-Team All-SEC honors. Veteran Jeff Owens (6-3, 298, Sr.) will man the other tackle spot after posting 27 stops, 4.5 for loss, and helping clog up the middle. Part time starter Kade Weston (6-5, 316, Jr.) and Corvey Irvin (6-4, 286, Sr.) also give the Bulldogs a veteran presence, having combined for 32 tackles and 8.5 tackles-for-loss a year ago.

Ricardo Crawford (6-1, 297, RSo.) and Brandon Wood (6-1, 280, RSo.) saw their first action last season and should contribute even more this year.

DEFENSIVE ENDS: Even with the departure of Sugar Bowl MVP Marcus Howard, the Bulldogs are stocked with talented players on the edges.
Roderick Battle (6-4, 261, Jr.) started all 13 games last season, recording 24 tackles, including 2.5 sacks, and he will enter the spring No. 1 at one end. Versatile Jarius Wynn (6-5, 273, Sr.) had nine tackles and nine hurries as a reserve in 2007. Demarcus Dobbs (6-2, 266, RSo.), who played in every game last season primarily on special teams, is back, along with Andrew Gully (6-4, 250, Jr.) and Matthew DeGenova (6-1, 210, RFr.).

On the other side, the Bulldogs have Jeremy Lomax (6-4, 247, Sr.), who recorded 4.5 sacks among his 16 tackles. Michael Lemon (6-4, 274, RSo.) picked up valuable game experience in 2007. Neland Ball (6-6, 232, RFr.) and Justin Houston (6-3, 240, RFr.) are expected to be factors as they come off redshirt campaigns. Wes Jacobs (6-2, 245, Jr.) gives Georgia additional depth.

LINEBACKERS: Highlighted by the return of their leading tackler from 2007, the Bulldogs again look strong at the linebacker slots.

All-SEC performer Dannell Ellerbe (pictured left) (6-1, 232, Sr.) had a team-best 93 tackles last season, including 12 for loss and 4.5 sacks, and will anchor the defense at Mike linebacker. Part-time starter Marcus Washington (6-0, 250, Sr.) contributed 40 tackles in 2007. Charles White (6-1, 217, RFr.) consistently improved during his redshirt season and the Bulldogs also return special teams ace Benjamin Boyd (6-1, 210, Sr.). Coaches will also take a look at Devin Hollander (6-1, 237, RSo.).

At Will linebacker, the Bulldogs are bolstered by the return of Rennie Curran (5-11, 220, So.), who ranked fourth on the team in 2007 with 53 tackles, including 13 against Kentucky. After the season, Curran earned Freshman All-America honors. Darryl Gamble (6-2, 237, RSo.) had 13 tackles last season, and it was his forced fumble that led to the game-winning field goal against Vanderbilt kick-starting the Bulldogs’ seven-game win streak. Akeem Hebron (6-1, 225, RSo.) is back with the program after a year at Georgia Military College and will start out at the Will position. The Bulldogs also have Justin Fields (6-1, 244, RSo.).

Akeem Dent (6-2, 218, RSo.) leads the way for Georgia at Sam linebacker. Dent became a late-season starter in 2007 and finished with 36 tackles. Darius Dewberry (6-3, 236, Jr.), who also has starting experience, rolled up 24 stops last season. Georgia gets additional depth from Will Sullivan (6-1, 210, RSo.).

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Three of Georgia’s top returning tacklers come from the secondary, making it a potential strength for 2008.

At one cornerback slot, Asher Allen (pictured right) (5-10, 198, Jr.) followed Ellerbe with 64 tackles and is the Bulldogs’ leading returning interceptor after snatching three last year. Ramarcus Brown (5-11, 170, Sr.) added 10 tackles om 2007, and the Bulldogs also return Chad Gloer (6-0, 191, RSo.) and Molloy VanGorder (5-8,160, RFr.).

Prince Miller (5-8, 190, Jr.) will open the spring No. 1 at the other cornerback slot. Miller had 24 tackles and made a key interception in the Sugar Bowl. Bryan Evans (5-11, 188, Jr.) had 17 tackles and an interception in 2007, while Vance Cuff (5-11, 170, So.) picked up valuable playing time. Brad Arsenault (6-0, 200, RSo.) and Christian Norton (5-7, 160, RSo.) will provide additional depth this spring.

At free safety, Reshad Jones (6-2, 203, RSo.) is atop the depth chart after ranking third last year with 57 tackles and picking off two passes. Jones picked up honorable mention Freshman All-America honors a year ago. Donavon Baldwin (6-2, 204, Jr.) and special teams standouts Andrew Williams (6-0, 197, Sr.) and Rowdy Francis (5-10, 190, Sr.) will back him up.

Returning starter CJ Byrd (6-2, 193, Sr.) came into his own at strong safety last year, making 44 tackles with one interception and one fumble recovery. Quintin Banks (6-2, 210, RSo.) contributed eight tackles in 2007 and he, along with and John Knox (6-2, 194, RFr.), will compete for playing time. Andrew Johnson (6-0, 195, RSo.) and Jonathan Nwiloh (6-1, 190, RFr.) also return.

SPECIALISTS: The Bulldogs must develop a place-kicker during the offseason, but the other areas on special teams will be manned by veterans.

Brian Mimbs (pictured left) (5-11, 205, Sr.) took over the punting duties last season and responded with a 42.4-yard average. Sixteen of his 57 punts pinned opponents inside the 20 and he had a long punt of 66 yards. Drew Butler (6-2, 205, RFr.), the son of ex-Bulldog and Hall of Fame kicker Kevin Butler, will challenge Mimbs this spring.
Despite the fact they are primarily punters, Mimbs and Butler will be called on to handle the place-kicking duties this spring following the departure of Brandon Coutu and before the arrival of newcomers in the fall.

Mimbs and Francis return as the Bulldogs’ top candidates as holder, and delivering those snaps again will be Jeff Henson (6-3, 228, Sr.) and Bo Fowler (6-2, 215, Sr.).

Allen again will handle kickoff returns after averaging 24.6 yards last season and he will get a look as the punt returner. Brown, Miller and Caleb King are additional candidates on returns.

Up Next:
G-Day is scheduled for April 5th at 2:00 pm.

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