Wide Receiver

FOOTBALL

Flanker

Tavarres King will be the starting flanker and the 6-1, 192 pound junior looks to become the go to receiver for Aaron Murray this year. King has started 14 of the 28 games he has appeared in and averages 20.1 yards per reception. He has 947 yards on 47 catches, the longest, a 63 yard TD against Florida last year.

King struggled early in his career getting separation when jammed by physical corners at the line, he now has the size and experience to get behind the defense and will be expected to stretch the field more this year. He showed his big play ability with a spectacular one handed grab over the middle in the spring game.

Junior Rantavious Wooten wants the ball and it doesn’t matter if you throw it to him or hand it to him, he just wants to make plays. The 5-10, 185 pound speedster has 17 receptions for 238 yards and 3 touchdowns, he’s also carried the ball 12 times over the past two seasons. Wooten’s game is one of quickness and making defenders miss, he will get more opportunities this fall.

Malcolm Mitchell was rated by some as the number one cornerback in the country coming out of high school, he has the athletic ability to play on either side of the ball. After amassing over 1,400 yards receiving at Valdosta last season, he will be given the opportunity to become a game changer in Athens. Mitchell at 6-1, 190 pounds has created the most buzz among the veterans during the summer workouts, the freshman’s ability to get open during passing drills has already caught the attention of quarterback Aaron Murray. Expect to see him early in the Georgia Dome against Boise State.

Freshman Chris Conley has the size at 6-3, 202 pounds to play early, he enrolled in January and participated in spring practice, he impressed the coaching staff with his toughness and ability to pick up the offense quickly. Fellow freshman Justin Scott-Wesley at 6-1, 220 pounds will use his size and sprinters speed to test a defenses ability to cover the deep route.

Walk-on junior Taylor Bradberry, 6-3, 192 pounds, appeared in three games last season and had an outstanding spring, he likely will see a few snaps this year too. Freshman walk-on Jamal Payette at 6-3, 183 pounds will work with the scout team this year.

Split End

Marlon Brown is penciled in as the starter as fall camp begins, he will need an exceptional camp to hold the position. Brown has the size at 6-5, 222 pounds to dominate but needs to play more aggressively and improve his ability to separate from defenders.

Brown has appeared in 20 games, the junior has 13 receptions for 148 yards and one touchdown.

His longest reception was a 31 yard completion against South Carolina last year, he averages 11.4 yards per catch.

Redshirt freshman Michael Bennett at 6-3, 208 pounds had a very good spring and will certainly see some playing time this fall, he is currently listed second at split end.

Israel Troupe has played in 32 games during his career, he has 11 receptions for 157 yards and hauled in a 50 yard touchdown against Auburn in 2009. The 6-1, 222 pound senior knows every receiver position and has one last opportunity to move up the depth chart this fall, he has the ability to make an impact this season if he takes advantage of it.

Freshman Sanford Seay at 6-1, 195 pounds has the size, speed and ball skills to play in the SEC, but his adjustment to the college game may take a while. Coach Ball likes to use a six receiver rotation and Seay will need to show he’s ready quickly to avoid a redshirt year.

Walk-on’s Michael Erdman (RFr, 5-10, 191), Greg Lanier (Sr, 6-1, 189), Rhett McGowan (RSo, 6-0, 190) and Evan Wells (Fr, 6-1, 174) will work with the scout team.

Overall there is a sprinkling of experience with some very talented freshmen but no obvious star. There is plenty of size and speed among the group, the opportunity is there for one or two of them to step forward and become the playmaker that the team needs. Mitchell is the one to keep an eye on, he could end up being the starting split end by kickoff.

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