Position Battles: Offensive Line
One of the most competitive position battles Georgia will have this upcoming season is upfront on the offensive line. With three returning starters, the positions open would be pretty obvious. However, this battle might be more intriguing than you think.
The Offensive line room is one of if not the deepest on the team. Micah Morris, Dylan Fairchild, and Austin Blaske are all players who could easily have significant playing time on other rosters around the country but have been sitting and developing under offensive line coach Stacy Searels.
The Bulldogs are also returning starters Sedrick Van Pran, Tate Ratledge, and Xavier Truss. Of the three, Van Pran is the easiest player to pencil in. Of Van Pran's return, Dawgs Dailly's Brooks Austin had this to say:
"Sedrick is a center because he's a leader, even dating back to his high school days at Warren Easton where he took home the state of Louisiana leadership award as a senior. Sedrick is a center because he's vocal. Have you ever noticed who Kirby Smart has brought with him to nearly every press conference for two seasons? Sedrick is a center because he's extremely smart, a relentless student of the game that possesses the ability to correct all of his teammates' assignments because he knows them."
Ratledge and Truss will have to fight off several up-and-comers to maintain their starting roles. Both started every game for the Bulldogs this past season.
The Dawgs will also have Amarius Mims returning, who played in all 15 games and was even the starter at right tackle in the semi-final and national championship game due to Warren Mclendon's Injury.
The other tackle looks more up for grabs. Ernest Greene is the early favorite to lock down one of the tackle positions, whether it be at left or whether Mims flips over to the left side. Greene impressed in practice before a back injury hampered him. Xavier Truss and Austin Blaske are other players who could challenge for this important spot with their history of positional versatility.
Under Stacy Searels, it has been clear Georgia will rotate throughout the game to keep players fresh. As a result, we could see a lot of Micah Morris, Austin Blaske, Dylan Fairchild, or even Jared Wilson and company in spurts during the season.
Even with multiple positions up for grabs, there are a few things we know will be true about Georgia's 2023-24 Offensive line. They will work hard and play very physical; they will try to impose their will every time they step on the field. That was fully on display in 2022, and that likely won't change this spring or fall.
Other Georgia News:
- Kirby Smart Gets Eyes on Several Top Targets in Latest Recruiting Rounds
- Ranking Every Team of the Kirby Smart Era
- WATCH: Georgia Releases Highlight Reel From 2022 Season
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