For the first time since 2006, the University of Georgia Bulldogs will not be counting on Trinton Sturdivant to be a part of the offensive line. The oft-injured tackle never quite lived up to his phenomenal first year on campus, but his eligibility is finally up and he has moved on. Despite the injuries, Bulldog fans always seemed to pencil him in at left tackle ever since a magical 2007 true freshman year.
So who will start out at the all-important left tackle spot? Odds are Kenarious Gates will receive the opening day nod as he does have some experience at the position and has practiced there over the last few years. Much-hyped high school recruit John Theus could also see some time there, as could redshirt freshman Xzavier Ward and junior Austin Long.
Watts Dantzler played quite a bit as a true freshman last year and seemed a perfect fit for the right tackle position while still at Dalton (Ga.) High School. Last year’s prize offensive lineman recruit Zach DeBell will back up Dantzler unless he can seize the position away in spring practice, which is doubtful. Mark Beard was brought in from the junior college ranks and could see time on the outside though his size may be better suited for guard.
The interior positions on the line have some question marks but also some answers. It appears as though Kolton Houston’s NCAA issues have been resolved, and the coaches seem confident he will be back in 2012 after missing all of 2011. Houston could have started one year ago and he seems on pace to excel this year. Dallas Lee offers a bit of depth after playing and starting for much of last year. His season was ended by a broken leg in the Florida game, but Lee will see plenty of field time this year. Beard could play at guard as well. Chris Burnette is an option at right guard but he may be used as a center.
Speaking of center, David Andrews was brought in from the Wesleyan (Ga.) School to be the heir apparent at center to Ben Jones. Andrews received some reps last year, but Burnette is also cross-training at the position. Austin Long’s younger brother Hunter is another candidate for the spot.
So what would be the ideal situation? In a perfect world, Andrews would seize the center position and hold on to it for the next three years like Ben Jones did. If Theus could come in and play immediately, he would likely be able to hold up, if the recruiting experts are correct about him. (Sturdivant played as a true freshman as you may remember.) If Theus can start from Day One, that would allow Gates to slide back inside, opposite Houston with Beard, Burnette and Lee offering depth. Dantzler or DeBell on the other side would enable the running game to go off tackle on the right side. While that lineup is full of youth, it is also full of talent. Mark Richt and company brought this talent to Athens. Now it is up to Will Friend and the players themselves to turn a question mark into an exclamation mark.
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