Preview – Offensive Line – Center

Football

In 2008 Ben Jones became one of those rare players that leave the state of Alabama when he signed with the Dawgs and by the fourth game was the teams starting center. The 6-3, 300 pound junior was named to the All-SEC freshman team that year. Coach Stacy Searels loves his work ethic and the fact that he plays with a nasty attitude.

Redshirt freshman Chris Burnette (6-2, 300) is another Dean’s List member that has quickly worked his way onto the two deep depth chart.

A number of other Dawgs have cross trained at center and could be called upon if an emergency arose, among those; Chris Davis, Tanner Strickland and Ben Harden.

Depth Chart:

Ben Jones, Junior, 6-3, 300, 23 starts

Chris Burnette, RS-Freshman, 6-2, 300

Preview – Offensive Line – Left Guard

FOOTBALL

The only question the Dawgs face at left guard is who will backup second team All-SEC Cordy Glenn. The 6-5, 300 pound junior has started all but three games since arriving on campus. He is athletic enough to play left tackle if needed but is more at home as a road grader opening holes for the running game.

Junior Ben Harden (6-3, 310) saw action in two games during 2009 and will compete with redshirt freshman Dallas Lee (6-4, 305) for the backup role. Lee worked on the scout team last season and has been named to the Dean’s List. Both are capable of playing either guard position.

Depth Chart:

Cordy Glenn, Junior, 6-5, 330, 23 starts

Ben Harden, Junior, 6-3, 310

Dallas Lee, RS-Freshman, 6-4, 305

Akeem Dent Undergoes Surgery for Toe Injury

FOOTBALL

Senior inside linebacker Akeem Dent underwent surgery this morning for a toe injury suffered in an off-field accident last week.

The outpatient surgery on Dent’s left big toe was performed at St. Mary’s Hospital by orthopedic physician Dr. Joe Johnson, team foot and ankle specialist.

Recovery time from the surgery will be four to six weeks according to UGA Director of Sports Medicine Ron Courson.

Dent should be available for the SEC opener with South Carolina.

Preview – Offensive Line – Left Tackle

FOOTBALL

Ask any right handed quarterback, a veteran or a young inexperienced one, what position is the most important to him and you can rest assured the answer will be, left tackle. It is the left tackle’s job to protect his blindside and most teams put their best lineman at the position.

The most versatile starter the past three years for the Dawgs has been all SEC first teamer Clint Boling who has played every position on the line except center. The 6-5, 310 pound senior anchored a line that gave up the fewest sacks in the conference last season, a total of 12 for 96 yards.

Boling returns for his final season and will be a starter, he just won’t know where until it is determined if Trinton Sturdivant has recovered from his second ACL surgery well enough to become the starter at left tackle. 

Sturdivant excelled as a true freshman starting every game and earning a spot on the all SEC freshman team. He tore his ACL in preseason camp in 2008 and took a redshirt while rehabbing the injury. The SEC coaches named him to the 2009 second team pre-season offense but in the opening quarter of the Oklahoma State game he reinjured the knee and missed the remainder of the year.

The 6-5, 320 pound junior feels that his second surgery went much better and has been given a full release to begin practice when pre-season camp opens on August 2nd.

Rising sophomore A. J. Harmon (6-5, 310) has shown the ability to handle the position as well and will see plenty of playing time this year. He can also play left guard and right tackle.

Two freshmen, Austin Long (6-5, 295) and Brent Benedict (6-5, 305) are both recovering from injuries and if released will get the opportunity to compete for a back-up role.

Either way the Dawgs will have plenty of experience at the position.

Personally I would like to see Boling stay at left tackle in a rotation with Sturdivant. This would give the responsibility of protecting a young quarterback to the two most experienced players at the position.

With three consecutive mid-day starts, depth will be a huge factor in the outcome of each game and there would be no drop-off in protection with either Boling or Sturdivant on the field. It would also allow Harmon to back-up Davis at right tackle.

Depth Chart:

Clint Boling, Senior, 6-5, 310, 36 starts

Trinton Sturdivant, Junior, 6-5, 320, 14 starts

A. J. Harmon, Sophomore, 6-5, 310

Austin Long, RS-Freshman, 6-5, 295

Brent Benedict, Freshman, 6-5, 305

Kickoff Time For Season Opener

FOOTBALL

The Saturday, Sept. 4, season opener between
the Dawgs and the University of Louisiana-Lafayette in Athens has been set for 12:21 p.m. ET.

Previously announced early season game times included:

South Carolina in Columbia (Sept. 11) – 12 Noon

Arkansas in Athens (Sept. 18) – 12 Noon

Colorado in Boulder (Oct. 2) – 4:30 p.m. ET.

Florida in Jacksonville (Oct. 30) – 3:30 p.m. ET.