University of Georgia Athletics
2009 Georgia Football Outlook
May 17, 2009 | Football
As the Bulldogs embark on the 2009 fall camp, Coach Mark Richt has made it clear that he and his staff are hungry for a championship just like the fans. And Richt, who is starting his ninth season in Athens, said he is going to have a renewed emphasis on attention to detail and accountability.
“The main thing for us is we absolutely want to maximize our potential in every area of our program,” Richt said. “I want our coaches to get better, for myself to become a better leader, our players to become the best possible players they can be in the off-season, spring ball, academically, socially. I want everything to improve. We’ve got a tremendous base of talent, outstanding coaches and tremendous support. We’ve got the ingredients. Each player, coach, everybody involved, we need to make sure they are hungry and get after it. We play in a tough league and everybody else is trying to do the same. We’re going to bang heads and be the best we can be.”
That approach was never more apparent than at the Capital One Bowl workouts in Orlando, where the Bulldogs tackled more than they had for most of the regular season. The end result was a 24-12 victory over Michigan State in the bowl. Georgia had similar workouts during the spring camp.
“We practiced different (in 2008), and it was attributed to the number of injuries starting in pre-season camp,” Richt said. “We addressed that in the way we practiced for the bowl. I think our defense improved in that time frame. They tackled better and had more of a swagger in that game. That’s part of it, practicing the way we need to practice.”
The Bulldogs have an important fall camp in front of them as they look to replace several key players, including their top passer, rusher and receiver from a year ago. Georgia will return 49 lettermen, including seven starters on offense, six on defense and the placekicker. Here now is a position-by-position look at the Bulldogs heading into fall camp:
QUARTERBACKS
With the early departure of overall No. 1 draft pick Matthew Stafford to the NFL, the Bulldogs will turn to the venerable Joe Cox (6-1, 198, Sr.) to lead the signal-callers.
Cox has been the consummate teammate during his career, serving as an at-the-ready quarterback and encouraging his fellow Bulldogs. Cox saw action in just three games last year, but he has appeared in 13 career games, including one start. Despite his lim- ited playing time, Cox has delivered five touchdown passes (about one per every six completions) and has impressed the coaches with his arm strength and game savvy. Most memorable is his fourth- quarter performance off the bench in leading the Bulldogs to two touchdowns to beat Colorado 14-13 in 2006.
Logan Gray (6-2, 192, RSo.) returns to give the Bulldogs a quarterback entering his third season in the system. Gray did not attempt a pass attempt in 2008, but he logged valuable playing time as a sure-handed punt returner.
The Georgia coaches also will take a look at highly regarded freshmen Zach Mettenberger (6-5, 234, Fr.) and Aaron Murray (6-1, 206, Fr.). Mettenberger and Murray enrolled early at Georgia and participated in spring drills.
RUNNING BACKS
Caleb King (5-11, 210, RSo.) finished as the Bulldogs’ second-leading rusher in 2008, gaining 247 yards with a touch- down. Richard Samuel was the team’s third-leading rusher in 2008
with 133 yards. Carlton Thomas (5-7, 178, RFr.) was impressive in workouts during his redshirt campaign and he scored the only touchdown in the G-Day Game. Dontavius Jackson (5-10, 200, RFr.) and Kalvin Daniels (5-10, 193, Jr.) will give the Bulldogs additional options.
At fullback, the Bulldogs lost bruising stalwart Brannan Southerland to graduation. Fortunately, Shaun Chapas (6-2, 238, Jr.) stepped up a year ago as Southerland missed the first part of the season with an injury. In addition to his blocking and rushing, Chapas became a reliable receiver out of the backfield, catching nine passes for 120 yards and one touchdown. Fred Munzenmaier (6-2, 224, Jr.) also brings valuable experience, having played in 11 games in 2008. Justin Fields (6-1, 215, Jr.) gives the Bulldogs additional depth.
WIDE RECEIVERSFor new receivers coach Tony Ball (who shifts over from the running backs), the loss of Mohamed Massaquoi to graduation is tempered by the return of SEC Freshman of the Year A.J. Green (6-4, 207, So.). Green earned several Freshman All-America and All-SEC accolades after hauling in 56 passes for a team-best 963 yards and eight touchdowns in 2008. Michael Moore (6-1, 207, Sr.) had perhaps his best collegiate game in the Capital One Bowl with six receptions for 97 yards and one touchdown. Georgia also returns Israel Troupe (6-1, 215, RSo.) and Vernon Spellman (6-1, 185, Sr.) at flanker.
With Kris Durham expected to miss the 2009 season with an injury, Tavarres King (6-1, 178, RFr.) will enter camp atop the depth chart at split end. King showed signs of contributing early in 2008 before an injury derailed his season. Marquise Brown (5-11, 179, Jr.) and special teams ace Zach Renner (5-11, 195, RSo.) provide additional depth.
TIGHT ENDSAt tight end, where the Bulldogs lost veteran Tripp Chandler to graduation, Aron White (6-4, 227, RSo.) will enter the fall atop the depth chart. White had two touchdowns among his three catch- es a year ago, including one in the Capital One Bowl. Part-time starter Bruce Figgins (6-4, 260, Jr.) also is back, and the Bulldogs will take a look at Derek Rich (6-2, 256, Jr.) and Bryce Ros (6-4, 242, RFr.).
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
A year ago, the Bulldogs averaged 426 total yards and 31 points per game. While those numbers speak to the talent Georgia had at the skill positions on offense, they also show the effective- ness of the Bulldogs’ offensive line despite starting three freshmen and dealing with numerous injuries. A year older and healthier, the offensive line should be a considerable strength.
Clint Boling (6-5, 297, Jr.) will anchor the Bulldogs’ line at left tackle after his All-SEC season a year ago during which he played both guard and tackle. Trinton Sturdivant (6-5, 306, RSo.) will back him up after missing all of last year with an injury. A.J. Harmon (6-5, 310, RFr.), who made the switch from defensive line during his redshirt season, also will get a look.
Tanner Strickland (6-5, 328, RSo.) tops the preseason depth chart at left guard. Chris Davis (6-4, 290, Jr.), following off-season surgery, is the backup and the Bulldogs also have Jonathan Owens (6-4, 294, RFr.).
On the right side, the Bulldogs are flip-flopping 2008 guard Cordy Glenn (6-5, 330, So.) and 2008 tackle Justin Anderson (6-5, 328, RSo.). Glenn will head into fall as the No. 1 right tackle, fol- lowed by Casey Nickels (6-4, 274, Jr.), Vince Vance (6-8, 325, Jr.) and Josh Davis (6-6, 300, Jr.). Vance and Davis are both coming off injuries that caused them to miss spring workouts. Anderson is listed atop the depth chart at right guard, with Ben Harden (6-6, 303, RSo.) as the backup.
At center, 2008 Freshman All-American and 10-game starter Ben Jones (6-3, 294, So.) returns. Kevin Perez (6-3, 264, Jr.) and early enrollee Dallas Lee (6-4, 293, Fr.) will back him up.
DEFENSIVE LINEMENGeorgia’s strength in the trenches won’t be limited to the of- fensive side of the ball. On defense, the Bulldogs will be returning several all-star candidates and experienced veterans.
Geno Atkins (6-1, 290, Sr.) started all 13 games at one of the defensive tackle spots and paced the linemen with 34 tackles, includ- ing 7.5 for loss, in 2008. Kade Weston (6-5, 320, Sr.) will back him up in camp along with Brandon Wheeling (6-3, 276, Sr.).
Georgia will get a boost at the other tackle with the return of Jeff Owens (6-3, 306, Sr.), who was lost for the 2008 season with a knee injury suffered in the first game. DeAngelo Tyson (6-2, 294, So.), a 2008 Freshman All-SEC selection, Ricardo Crawford (6-1, 303, Jr.) and Brandon Wood (6-1, 275, Jr.) are slated as reserves.
DEFENSIVE ENDSBulldogs are making it a priority this season to come up with more pressure on opposing quarterbacks from the perimeter. Georgia battled injuries throughout last season at the end position and finished with only 9.5 sacks from that group.
Justin Houston (6-3, 259, RSo.) is Georgia’s returning leader with sacks at 2.5 a year ago. Houston totaled 19 overall tackles, including 4.5 for loss, primarily in a reserve role. Kiante Tripp (6-6, 270, Jr.) is back on defense after a stint on the offensive line to shore up the Bulldogs’ depth. Cornelius Washington (6-4, 217, RFr.) and Jeremy Longo (6-3, 241, RFr.) will enter the mix after redshirting.
On the other side, the Bulldogs have Roderick Battle (6-4, 259, Sr.) and DeMarcus Dobbs (6-2, 274, Jr.) bracketed atop the depth chart. Battle is a 20-game starter for Georgia, while Dobbs had an interception return for a touchdown against Central Michigan and a critical pick in the Kentucky victory last year. Neland Ball (6-6, 236, RSo.) also will give Georgia some options.
LINEBACKERS
This should be a strength for the Bulldogs in 2009 as they have a solid mix of veterans and up-and-coming newcomers.
All-SEC performer Rennie Curran (5-11, 222, Jr.) paced the Bulldogs with 115 tackles a year ago, nearly 40 more than the closest teammate. Curran, who had five games with double digits in tackles in 2008, will anchor the defense from the Will linebacker position. Nick Williams (6-2, 219, So.), who picked up valuable playing time on special teams a year ago, and Christian Robinson (6-2, 216, RFr.) will serve as his backups.
At the Sam spot, Darryl Gamble (6-2, 250, Jr.) is the second- leading returning tackler among the linebackers with 60 last season. Gamble also picked off two passes and returned them for touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ win at LSU in 2008. Darius Dewberry (6-3, 231, Sr.) will get back in action following rehab from surgery. Georgia also has Jackson Griffeth (6-2, 197, RFr.) and Devin Hollander (5-11, 231, Sr.) at the position.
Akeem Dent (6-2, 226, Jr.) returns to lead the charge at the Mike slot. The Bulldogs also get Marcus Washington (6-0, 256, Sr.) and Charles White (6-1, 224, RSo.) back from injuries that kept them off the field in 2008, and they return Marcus Dowtin (6- 2, 228, So.), who saw valuable playing time as a rookie.
DEFENSIVE BACKSDespite cornerback Asher Allen’s decision to leave a year early for the NFL and the graduation of safety CJ Byrd, the Bulldogs figure the secondary to still be formidable in 2009.
Strong safety Reshad Jones (6-2, 214, Jr.), who decided to return rather than pursue the next level, followed Curran with 76 tackles last year and paced the Bulldogs with five interceptions none more critical than the one to preserve victory at the end of the South Carolina game. Georgia also will get a look at Bacarri Rambo (6-0, 208, RFr.) and a healthy Quintin Banks (6-2, 213, Jr.) this fall. At free safety, Bryan Evans (5-11, 190, Sr.) returns after moving from cornerback during the 2008 season. John Knox (6-2, 205, RSo.) has starting experience and Makiri Pugh (6-0, 196, RFr.) will vie for playing time.
Prince Miller (5-8, 198, Sr.), who had 50 tackles a year ago, is back to hold down one of the cornerback slots for the Bulldogs. He will be spelled this fall by Vance Cuff (5-11, 177, Jr.). On the other side, Brandon Boykin (5-10, 182, So.) gets the first crack at replacing Allen. Sanders Commings (6-2, 214, RFr.) and Chad Gloer (5-10, 193, Jr.) also will be competing.
SPECIALISTSBlair Walsh (5-10, 180, So.) earned Freshman All-SEC honors by admirably handling the place-kicking duties his rookie season. Walsh went 50-for-50 on extra points and 15-of-23 on field goals, including a 52-yarder on his first collegiate kick. Andrew Jensen (6-3, 219, Jr.) and Jamie Lindley (5-11, 170, So.) could factor into the Bulldogs’ plans, particularly on kickoffs.
Drew Butler (6-2, 203, RSo.) will look to take over the punting duties for Brian Mimbs. Butler was the Bulldogs’ coffin-corner specialist in 2008. Trent Dittmer (5-9, 175, RSo.) will back up Butler, who also will serve as the holder on placement kicks.
Ty Frix (6-1, 206, RFr.), Rich and Billy Johnson (6-0, 225, RFr.) are the top candidates to succeed Bo Fowler at snapper.
Miller, Gray and Reshad Jones will handle the punt return duties. Miller averaged 21.2 yards last season on nine returns, includ- ing one for a 92-yard touchdown against Alabama. Gray and Jones had 12- and 19-yard averages, respectively. Boykin and Thomas are penciled in as kickoff returners entering camp.
