ATHENS – Georgia started a freshman at right tackle in 2017. It started a redshirt freshman at right guard, then replaced him with another redshirt freshman. So offensive coordinator Jim Chaney was asked, prior to the Rose Bowl, if he ever looked over there and wondered what he was doing.
“No. Because I look on the bench, and there’s nobody else,” he said. “If there were two great seniors over there …”
He was kidding, of course. Mostly. The right side of Georgia’s line was actually pretty effective, youthful or not, as was Georgia’s entire offensive line, in a bit of a pleasant surprise.
What happened? Chaney didn’t point as much to personnel as to “familiarity.” It was the second year under Chaney and offensive line coach Sam Pittman.
“When you’re working with somebody for two years you understand what [ticks] them off and what doesn’t and you understand the dynamics of the workplace. That’s what’s taking place now,” Chaney said. “There’s a lot of familiarity with what we do, and we all know one another and we understand that we share one common thing and that is to put Georgia football in the relevance and win a championship in the SEC and move on. And we did.”
There should be even more familiarity this year – and more options on the bench.
Georgia does lose its best offensive lineman, Isaiah Wynn, and its sixth man, the versatile Dyshon Sims. But Wynn’s immediate replacement at left tackle is already known. And the Bulldogs have signed the best offensive line class in the country. That doesn’t automatically mean the O-line will be even better in 2018; the team was 18-2 with Wynn at left tackle. But it does mean the line will have more depth and familiarity and will have a very good chance to be better.
As we transition into Georgia’s offseason, we will take a look at the changes at each position group, the incoming players, and analyze how it could play out in 2018. This week we take care of all five offensive line positions in one swoop.
Left tackle
Key losses: Isaiah Wynn (eligibility), Dyshon Sims (eligibility), Aulden Bynum (eligibility).
Top returners: Andrew Thomas, Soph.
Newcomers: Cade Mays, Fr.; Owen Condon, Fr.
Other contenders: D’Marcus Hayes, R-Jr.
Analysis: Andrew Thomas started every game at right tackle as a freshman and did so well that Pittman didn’t hesitate to say that Thomas would replace Wynn at left tackle once the season was over. So no drama at that spot. Mays will compete at right tackle, and either he or Condon could be options if something befalls Thomas. As for Hayes, he redshirted last season after transferring in from junior college, and he also could enter into the discussion at right tackle, but for now we’ll pencil him in as a backup to Thomas.
One guarantee: If the coaches had any doubts about Thomas’ ability to handle the more high-profile left tackle spot, they would leave open the possibility of a competition this spring. Right now that doesn’t appear to be happening.
Left guard
Key loss: None.
Top returners: Kendall Baker, R-Sr.
Newcomers: Jamaree Salyer, Fr.; Trey Hill, Fr.
Others: Pat Allen, R-Jr.; Netori Johnson, R-Fr.; Justin Shaffer, Soph.; Sam Madden, R-Jr.
Analysis: Kendall Baker was the surprise of the line, and perhaps the team, in 2017, at least in terms of a full-time starter few would have seen coming. Baker is also a lesson to not discount a player because he doesn’t play right away (or for three years, in Baker’s case). Baker had a good season, and his reward will be having to hold off Salyer, Hill or someone else. That’s what happens when a team recruits well, and Georgia is recruiting very well right now, as you might have heard. There’s also the possibility that the player who doesn’t win the right guard spot – more on that in a second – will get a look here.
One guarantee: Reporters will follow this one closely.
Center
Key loss: None.
Top returners: Lamont Gaillard, R-Sr.
Newcomers: Warren Ericson, Fr.
Other contenders: Sean Fogarty, Sr. (walk-on), Chris Barnes, R-Soph.
Analysis: Lamont Gaillard did very well in his first year as the starting center after a solid season at right guard. But will he also face competition from a youngster? Perhaps, especially if Salyer and/or Hill are able to play center and prove worthy of playing right away. But Gaillard’s spot seems safer than Baker’s.
One guarantee: Allison Janney will win Best Supporting Actress for her role in I, Tonya. That’s not really related to Georgia’s center situation, but we couldn’t think of any real relevant guarantee.
Right guard
Key loss: None.
Top returners: Ben Cleveland, R-Soph.; Solomon Kindley, R-Soph.
Newcomers: Salyer, Hill.
Other contenders: Allen, Johnson, Shaffer, Madden.
Analysis: Solomon Kindley seemed fairly entrenched here, but then Ben Cleveland kept coming and got the starting spot after the first Auburn game and didn’t let it go. In fact he was quite impressive in the role. So does he return as the definite starter? Not yet. Kindley will keep getting a look, unless they decide to try him at left guard. Cleveland also could get a look at the vacated right tackle spot. Pittman said the coaches planned to keep Cleveland at guard, then added “if we can.” So the coaches appear to like him at guard, and hope someone grabs that right tackle spot.
One guarantee: It’s also hard to make a confident guarantee at this spot, so we’ll just say that the Golden State Warriors will win the NBA Western Conference.
Right tackle
Key loss: Andrew Thomas, Soph. (switching to left tackle)
Top returners: Isaiah Wilson, R-Fr.
Newcomers: Cade Mays, Fr.; Owen Condon, Fr.
Other contenders: Hayes.
Analysis: Andrew Thomas’ move to the left side leaves this spot wide open, especially if Cleveland stays at guard. Wilson may enter with an edge, as coaches said he had a good redshirt season, and he’s a massive (6-foot-7, 345 pounds) presence. But Mays, a 5-star talent whom Pittman somehow plucked from Tennessee’s backyard, has enrolled early and will get a long look here.
One guarantee: Reporters will watch this one just as closely as left guard. Those won’t be the only two positions we watch closely. It won’t be the only thing we watch all year – we have lives. Some of us may watch I, Tonya. The world is full of possibilities.
Next: Defensive line.
