ATHENS — Whether or not Shaquery Wilson’s move to tailback ends up sticking is an open question. But so far the experiment appears to be going very well.
Wilson drew some praise from offensive coordinator Jim Chaney during Thursday’s media viewing period of practice. It was just a small drill, a “play polish” in which the tailback gets a handoff and goes straight ahead. But Chaney liked what he saw as Wilson took handoffs from Jacob Eason.
“I like it. You’re getting better, Shaquery,” Chaney said, his voice carrying across the field. “I like it. I like it a lot!”
Wilson was moved to tailback last week to alleviate Georgia’s numbers problems there. Nick Chubb and Brendan Douglas are still limited in practice, A.J. Turman transferred awhile ago, leaving just Sony Michel and Tae Crowder as healthy scholarship backs. (There are no scholarship fullbacks.)
It may be that Wilson moves back to receiver once the summer arrives, and along with it freshman Elijah Holyfield and a healthier Chubb and Douglas. But for now, the coaches like what Wilson offers at tailback in terms of size (6-1 and about 210 pounds) and athletic ability.
Chubb, meanwhile, continues to progress a bit seemingly every week. On Thursday the injured star had shed his knee brace, and was doing a drill that required jumping while cradling the ball.
Some more observations from the final spring practice:
- Defensive lineman Julian Rochester and defensive back Chad Clay were back at practice. They missed Tuesday’s practice after their felony arrests the previous night.
- Defensive back Deandre Baker was practicing without limitations after leaving Tuesday’s practice with what apparently was a minor leg injury.
- Inside linebacker Ryne Rankin was not practicing, his injury status unknown.
- The first and second team offensive lines were the same as they’ve been the past two weeks, with Isaiah Wynn at left tackle with the first team and Kendall Baker with the second team.
