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Entering the 2010 season, the offensive line was supposed to be a strength for the Georgia Bulldogs, opening up lanes for Washaun Ealey and Caleb King while protecting redshirt freshman QB Aaron Murray long enough for the rookie to get comfortable. Suffice to say the Bulldogs have a brand new offensive line coach in Will Friend so that tells you how last season went. The offensive line will be looked at by many as one of the team’s question marks entering 2011, but perhaps the question mark should be why this unit is being questioned. The offensive line, as it shapes up right now is heavy on former starters but lacks experienced depth. The last inexperienced line in recent memory was the 2007 line which counted on a pair of true freshmen to anchor the left side; this line will only really rely on redshirt freshmen to offer relief.
The starting line-up right now looks like redshirt senior Trinton Sturdivant at left tackle, bookended with Cordy Glenn at right tackle. Glenn has started most of his career at left guard but did play left tackle in 2009. Coaches have said they plan to use Glenn at tackle his senior season after he was named to several All-America teams following the 2010 season. The senior should have no problem moving to the outside for his final go in Athens.
Rising sophomore Kenarious Gates played in seven games last year, making three starts at guard, so it would be a safe bet that Gates has one of the guard spots locked up. Ben Jones, a rising senior has started at center since his freshman year. He plays with a nasty streak and could well be drafted following his senior campaign. Who will join them on the interior of the line is an interesting race.
Justin Anderson has been moved back to the offensive line after a one-year hiatus to the defensive side of the ball. Anderson missed most of last season with a toe injury but made a combined twelve starts in 25 games over 2008 and 2009. He made several starts at right tackle as a redshirt freshman in 2008 but will likely slide inside beside Sturdivant on the left side of the line. If Anderson doesn’t get the nod at left guard, look for Kolton Houston, a redshirt freshman, or Dallas Lee, a redshirt sophomore, to nab the starting spot or at least some significant playing time. Lee appeared in three games in 2010 and has nice size at 6’4, 300.
The depth will rely on Chris Burnette and Austin Long, both redshirt sophomores with no in-game experience, as well as redshirt freshman Brent Benedict, a phenomenal recruit who redshirted last year after surgery. Two in-coming freshmen that will likely see playing time over redshirting are Zach DeBell and Watts Dantzler. Each is over 6’7 and both will likely see time on the right side of the line. Benedict is talented enough to step in behind Sturdivant at left tackle. Burnette will spell Jones at center while Long could become the next great Georgia guard.
The depth is young but the only way to earn experience is to play. Georgia’s future looks bright if these youngsters can get some reps this season. Don’t discount this present line though: the mix of old and new is nice and a shake-up in philosophy could lead to this line using its experience to mash open holes for Crowell while protecting Murray.
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