Back row left to right: Kendall Baker, Dyshon Sims, Hunter Long, Lamont Gaillard, Aulden Bynum.
Photos courtesy of UGA. Edit by Bob Miller.
[su_spacer size=”20″]
While not as sexy to talk about as the skill positions on offense like the quarterbacks, receivers, and running backs, an offense will not function and move the ball without a good, solid offensive line playing as a well oiled unit. For Georgia, they return 4 starters on the o-line, having only to replace center David Andrews from last year’s group.
[su_spacer size=”40″] However, Boss’ shoes are large ones to fill. In fact, for the past seven to eight years, the Bulldawgs have had consistency and very good play from the center position on the offensive line from Ben Jones and David Andrews. Who is the guy that is going to step up and fill those shoes and carry on that tradition, to be that stall worth rock that anchors the middle of the line?
[su_spacer size=”40″] Right now, headed into fall camp, it appears to be junior Brandon Kublanow’s position to lose. Last year “Kubs” started 13 games at offensive guard for the Dawgs as a sophomore and played well, but center is a different animal on the o-line compared to playing guard or tackle. Besides snapping the ball, the center is for all intents and purposes the quarterback of the offensive line, making sure he gets them set in the right protections based on what the defensive formations and sets the offense faces on each play. So far, Kubs appears to be holding his own.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Besides Kublanow, there is fifth year senior Hunter Long who has played in 14 games at center over 4 years at UGA, but Long has been inconsistent. In addition to Long, athletic junior Greg Pyke, who also started 13 games at guard on the o-line for the Dawgs in 2014, is a candidate for the center position.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Unless Kubs struggles, I expect him to win the start during fall camp for the opening game versus ULM on September 5th.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Here is a look at the projected depth chart of the offensive line positions headed into fall camp:
[su_spacer size=”40″] [su_box title=” Offensive Line depth chart entering into Fall Camp:” box_color=”#050505″ title_color=”#ffffff”] [su_spacer size=”20″] [su_tabs] [su_tab title=”LEFT TACKLE“][su_animate type=”fadeInUp”] 1. 71 John Theus (6-6, 313 lbs, Sr.)
2. 70 Aulden Bynum (6-5, 276 lbs, RdSo.)
3. 65 Kendall Baker (6-6, 310 lbs, RdFr.)
[/su_tab] [su_tab title=” LEFT GUARD “][su_animate type=”fadeInUp”] 1. 77 Isaiah Wynn (6-2, 283 lbs, So.)
2. 53 Lamont Gaillard (6-2, 305 lbs, RdFr.)
3. 55 Dyshon Sims (6-4, 302 lbs, So.)
4. 63 Sage Hardin (6-6, 281 lbs, Fr.)
5. 67 Michael Scullin (6-2, 285 lbs, RdSo.)
[/su_animate] [/su_tab] [su_tab title=”CENTER “][su_animate type=”fadeInUp”] 1. 54 Brandon Kublanow (6-3, 294 lbs, Jr.)
2. 66 Hunter Long (6-4, 302 lbs, Sr.)
[/su_animate] [/su_tab] [su_tab title=”RIGHT GUARD “] [su_animate type=”fadeInUp”] 1. 73 Greg Pyke (6-6, 321 lbs, Jr.)
2. 55 Dyshon Sims (6-4, 302 lbs, So.)
3. 67 Sam Madden (6-6, 346 lbs, Fr.)
4. 74 Thomas Swilley (6-3, 301 lbs, RdSo.)
5. 64 Jake Edwards (6-4, 273 lbs, RdFr.)
6. 60 Mirko Jurkovic (6-5, 275 lbs, Fr.)
[/su_animate] [/su_tab] [su_tab title=”RIGHT TACKLE“] [su_animate type=”fadeInUp”] 1. 75 Kolton Houston (6-5, 287 lbs, Sr.)
2. 65 Kendall Baker (6-6, 310 lbs, RdFr.)
3. 58 Patrick Allen (6-4, 297 lbs, Fr.)
4. 58 Billy Seward (6-3, 270 lbs, RdSo.)
5. 57 Alex Essex (6-5, 269 lbs, RdFr.)
[/su_animate] [/su_tab] [/su_tabs] [/su_box] [su_spacer size=”40″] One of the first things you will notice is that there are a lot of bodies for Coach Sale to work with on the offensive line; however, a lot of it is young and inexperienced behind the starters. Georgia has signed some good offensive line talent in the last couple of recruiting classes.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Freshman Patrick Allen from Reisterstown, Maryland is Georgia’s highest rated offensive lineman from this year’s recruiting class, and he is projected to be a future starter at offensive tackle in 2016. Ideally, on the offensive line, it is best to develop your freshman offensive linemen behind the upper classman and not play them till they have had a chance to build some good strength and bulk in a collegiate strength and conditioning program as well as get coached up on footwork and technique.
[su_spacer size=”40″] That is not to say that a freshman o-lineman couldn’t play or start for Georgia in the SEC, John Theus did back in 2012.
[su_spacer size=”40″] One player that certainly looks like he is SEC ready as far as his physical size is 2015 signee Sam Madden. At 6 foot 6 and 346 lbs, he has the size. He will be a future starter at offensive guard for the Dawgs.
[su_spacer size=”40″] 2014 signee Jake Edwards would be higher up on the depth chart if he had not been injured last year, but reports are that he has recovered and ready to start where he left off. He needs to gain back some muscle and weight, but he could come climb up higher on the depth chart as fall practice progresses.
[su_spacer size=”40″] I have fielded numerous questions about redshirt freshman OT Kendall Baker and if he is able to play due to an eye injury suffered earlier this year in the spring? He is a-OK. Reports are that his eye is fine, and his vision is fine. He is good to go and will be battling for significant playing at offensive tackle.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Sophomore Dyshon Sims played in 8 games last year as a true freshman and will be battling sophomore Isaiah Wynn, who played in 11 games and started 1 last year, for the starting left guard spot. In the mix for the left guard position battle is redshirt freshman Lamont Gaillard who moved from the defensive line to the offensive line in the spring. It will be interesting to see if one of the true freshmen in the incoming 2015 recruiting class like Patrick Allen, Sage Hardin, or Sam Madden or if Gaillard pushes Sims or Wynn.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Here is who I project to be the starters on the offensive line:
[su_spacer size=”40″] [su_box title=” Projected Starting UGA Offensive Line for September 5th:” box_color=”#050505″ title_color=”#ffffff”] [su_spacer size=”20″] LT 71 John Theus (6-6, 313 lbs, Sr.)
LG 77 Isaiah Wynn (6-2, 283 lbs, So.)
C 54 Brandon Kublanow (6-3, 294 lbs, Jr.)
RG 73 Greg Pyke (6-6, 321 lbs, Jr.)
RT 75 Kolton Houston (6-5, 287 lbs, Sr.)
[/su_box] [su_spacer size=”40″] For Georgia to continue in 2015 what they did in 2014 on the ground, the offensive line has to be consistent from series to series and game to game throughout the year. Next, we will take a look at the tight ends.
[su_spacer size=”40″] [su_box title=” UGA Fall Preview 2015 Series” box_color=”#050505″ title_color=”#ffffff”] [su_spacer size=”20″] QUARTERBACKS
[su_spacer size=”20″] RUNNING BACKS
[/su_box] [su_spacer size=”40″]