Preview – Running Backs

Football

Tailback

Junior Caleb King is finally 100% healthy, has his weight down to 206 and feels like he is ready for the best season of his career. The result is he has been named the starter at tailback for the Dawg’s opener.

King was the second leading ball carrier last year gaining 594 yard on 114 carries and scoring 7 TD’s, he also caught 10 passes for 108 yards and another TD.

The aspect of his game that separates King from the rest of the pack though is his ability to protect the quarterback in passing situations, he doesn’t hesitate to stick his helmet on a defender’s numbers when needed.

Washaun Ealey sat out the first four games last season before proceeding to show the Dawg Nation the skills that allowed him to set the single season (58) and career (133) touchdown records while playing for Emanuel County Institute.

The 5-11, 215 pound sophomore gained 717 yards on 125 carries and ended the season as the Dawg’s leading rusher. Ealey is the only back in the SEC to gain 70 yards or more in the last 7 games of 2009.

Ealey will split the carries with King this year and behind an experienced offensive line, both are likely to reach the 1,000 yard mark.

Sophomore Carlton Thomas at 5-7, 176 pounds is not an every down back in the SEC but his elusiveness and speed makes him difficult for defensive linemen and linebackers to find.

Thomas appeared in seven games picking up 92 yards on 22 carries last year and if he can overcome a propensity to fumble on contact, he will surpass those numbers this season. He will also see action on special teams and returning kicks.

True freshman Ken Malcome at 6-0, 218 is the largest of all the tailbacks and could see action this year if King or Ealy suffer an injury.

Depth Chart:

Caleb King, Junior, 5-11, 206, 5 starts

Washaun Ealey, Sophomore, 5-11, 205, 2 starts

Carlton Thomas, Sophomore, 5-7, 176

Ken Malcome, Freshman, 6-0, 218

FULLBACK

Senior Shaun Chapas, 6-2, 246 is often overlooked by most fans but ask any opposing defender what it’s like seeing him lead a tailback out of the backfield and the usual answer is, “He hits you like a run away train.”

Fullbacks usually only see their name mentioned when they miss a block, Chapas is a critical link in the Dawg’s running game and his final season should earn him some post season recognition.

Senior Fred Munzenmaier, 6-2, 242 has 12 career rushing attempts, 4 of them resulted in touchdowns. Like Chapas, he is a devastating lead blocker and relishes his role in the running game.

Junior Charles White, 6-1, 230 switched from linebacker to fullback last year and has yet to see any action other than on special teams. He is being counted on to be ready for next year.

Junior Josh Sailors, 5-9, 240 was awarded a scholarship during the summer, the former walk-on’s work ethic and tenacious attitude continues to move him up the depth chart.

Walk-on sophomore Kevin Lanier, 5-11, 216 was a standout on special teams last season and continues to impress the coaching staff at the fullback position, he is typical of prior walk-ons at UGA that eventually earned a spot on NFL rosters.

Freshman Alex Ogletree, 5-9, 205 seems a likely candidate to redshirt this year but the coaching staff has already mentioned that he may earn some playing time on special teams.

Depth Chart:

Shaun Chapas, Senior, 6-2, 246, 13 starts

Fred Munzenmaier, Senior, 6-2, 242, 1 start

Charles White, Junior, 6-1, 230

Josh Sailors, Junior, 5-9, 240

Kevin Lanier, Sophomore, 5-11, 216

Alex Ogletree, Freshman, 5-9, 205