ATHENS — Jared Wilson is perhaps the most important piece on the Georgia offensive line this fall. For a group that returns four starters, Wilson is stepping in for long-time starter Sedrick Van Pran-Granger.
This is a huge fall camp for Wilson, as it’s the first time in his career he’s had the chance to earn starter reps at the center position.
Which is why it isn’t good news that he was off working to the side at practice on Tuesday with injured defensive linemen Warren Brinson and Jordan Hall.
“Jared has missed some things, but he’s gotten to do as much as possible,” Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said. “That’s a very important position on the offensive line and in the offensive unit. They communicate really to everybody what goes on up front. Jared (is) still being able to do that with a large majority of what we’re doing. We’re just being careful with Jared, but it also gives guys more opportunities to work at center and make those calls.”
The injury doesn’t appear to be serious at this point and Wilson was not in a black non-contact jersey.
Wilson missing time could be compounding for the Georgia offense because the depth behind him is not great at the moment. Drew Bobo is the second-team center at this point, but if Georgia were to play Clemson tomorrow, the Bulldogs could very well put Tate Ratledge at center and move one of Dylan Fairchild or Micah Morris at right guard.
Communicating calls to the rest of the offensive line is a key part of playing center. Wilson needs those reps while those behind the fourth-year center aren’t yet fully comfortable in doing so.
“It’s probably more important this year because we’ve got so many young linemen that might not be able to hear the call and know what they got, and a lot of times that center’s got to pass everything down the line and make the call front side and back side for those guys,” Mike Bobo said.
Van Pran-Granger started every game for Georgia at center over the past three seasons. The Bulldogs went 42-2 over that time and the expectation will be for Wilson to play to that standard.
“He’s really stepping into the role of a center, taking control of the offensive line and getting us on the right page,” Ratledge said of Wilson earlier in camp. “He’s done a really good job at that, stepping up his voice and being confident. I think that’s been the biggest part for him.”
Georgia still has time to get Wilson healthy, as the Bulldogs don’t open the season until Aug. 31. But with a game against Clemson and Wilson currently at less than full strength, the center position will be under a much bigger microscope moving forward.
