ATHENS – Never mind a starting spot. The more Andrew Thomas is discussed, the question is how soon anyone can gather the clay for a marble sculpture to commemorate the UGA offensive lineman’s upcoming freshman season.

OK, let’s not get carried away. That starting spot isn’t a done deal yet. But …

“He’s amazing,” sophomore Julian Rochester said of Thomas. “He has arms – I think he can scratch his knees when he stands up. His arms are so long and he is so patient.”

So whether or not Thomas is the real deal, we will always have the quote: “He can scratch his knees when he stands up.”

Rochester then went on to compare Thomas to Isaiah Wynn, the senior left tackle and soon-to-be three-year starter. The two are different in size – Thomas is about an inch taller and 30 pounds heavier – but the comparison is about their athletic ability and technique.

And he wasn’t the only person to make that comparison. Pat Allen, the redshirt sophomore who has been working as the first-team left guard, said the same thing.

“He reminds me of Isaiah a lot,” Allen said. “Because it’s just natural for him. His pass set is very calm. It never changes. His hands are good. When it comes to run blocking there are some things he works on. But mainly I feel like Drew is working like everybody else, he’s getting accustomed to being the ones, and being comfortable with where he is.”

Allen may be competing with Thomas for playing time, though lately both have been working with the first team. Thomas has been at right tackle, after taking Allen’s spot at left guard two weeks ago.

Georgia has a loaded group of newcomers on the offensive line, and many thought junior college transfer D’Marcus Hayes or five-star freshman Isaiah Wilson would be the favorites to plug and play.

But Thomas emerged because of his smarts and fundamentals, which he honed at Pace Academy in Atlanta. He is the most ready to play.

‘’He’s quiet and very mature.  He’s always focused and locked in,” senior tailback Nick Chubb said. “When he’s in live action, you can’t even tell he’s a freshman.  He just attacks every day. He looks great.’’

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