SOLOMON KINDLEY (OG, #66)
Just a 3-star prospect coming out of Raines High School in Jacksonville, Fla., the 6-4, 330-pound Kindley has evolved into one of Georgia’s top O-linemen and team leaders. After being redshirted in 2016, when he played in only the Missouri game, Kindley played in 15 games in 2017, making seven starts at right guard to help the Bulldogs win the SEC championship and Rose Bowl playoff game while earning a slot in the national championship game against Alabama. After landing Coaches’ Freshman All-SEC honors that season, Kindley started all 14 games at left guard in 2018 and played in 75 percent of Georgia’s offensive snaps during the Bulldogs’ eight SEC games. Kindley, who sat out the win over Tennessee this season with an ankle injury, should continue to create running space for the UGA tailbacks as the Bulldogs gear up for the rugged SEC stretch run ahead.
CADE MAYS (OL, #77)
An original Tennessee commitment who was rated the No. 1 prep prospect in that state, Mays has proven the Bulldogs’ most versatile offensive lineman the past two seasons. He has seen action at both guard and tackle and also has the talent to man the center position if called upon. The 6-6, 320-pound sophomore out of Knoxville is a fierce blocker who doesn’t let up on his man until the whistle blows. Mays was named to the Football Writers Assn. of America Freshman All-America Team in 2018 when he played in 11 of 14 games while drawing the starting assignment in seven of those games. Along with Kindley and Georgia’s other big guys in the trenches, Mays will be attacking Kentucky’s defensive front Saturday.
DAVID MARSHALL (DE, #51)
Although he’s been plagued by injuries during his career in Athens, this 6-3, 274-pound senior out of Upson-Lee High School in Thomaston has been one of the Bulldogs’ most reliable defensive performers. Marshall, in his freshman season in 2016 played in 12 games, making four starts, and had 26 total tackles including 2.5 QB sacks, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, and five QB pressures. In Georgia’s 2017 run to the SEC title, Rose Bowl and national championship game, Marshall again had 26 total stops while playing in 14 games. He posted a season-high four tackles with a QB sack in the Rose Bowl win over Oklahoma. Then last season Marshall played in only six of the 14 games, missing the last eight games due to injury. As Kirby Smart uses the “committee” approach with his defensive front substitution, Marshall will be a key cog as the Bulldogs look to lock up their third consecutive SEC East crown.
MALIK HERRING (DE, #10)
Another middle Georgia product out of Mary Persons High in Forsyth, Herring also has the quickness and strength off the edge to disrupt opposing offenses. The 6-3, 280-pound junior played in all 15 games for the SEC and Rose Bowl champions of 2017 and then stepped up his game in his sophomore campaign in 2018 when he again saw action in all 14 games and finished with 23 total stops, including 3.5 for lost yardage and assists on two QB sacks. His career-best five tackles came in his first career start vs. Georgia Tech. With six quarterback pressures already this season, increased good play by Herring will be vital against the offenses that lie in wait for the Bulldogs.
