Georgia Bulldogs

Two days remain until Georgia kicks off its season opener against Buffalo on Saturday. In the days counting down to the opener, DawgNation will profile, with our “Around the Hedges in 80 Days” series, a Bulldogs player we expect to make an impact. We will review each player’s career thus far and project his long-term potential as we progress through our alphabetical list, from center David Andrews to receiver Rantavious Wooten.

2. Ramik Wilson
Sophomore, Linebacker
6-foot-2, 224 pounds

Fall forecast: Wilson has unquestionably impressed Georgia’s coaching staff this preseason -- as evidenced by his status as a starting outside linebacker on the depth chart for Saturday’s game against Buffalo. But don’t expect to see Wilson man that strongside linebacker spot all season. He can play both inside and outside linebacker and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham intends to use him in both capacities. The sophomore will get his first extensive playing time this season, helping diversify Georgia’s defensive looks with his versatility.

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Three days remain until Georgia kicks off its season opener against Buffalo on Saturday. In the days counting down to the opener, DawgNation will profile, with our “Around the Hedges in 80 Days” series, a Bulldogs player we expect to make an impact. We will review each player’s career thus far and project his long-term potential as we progress through our alphabetical list, from center David Andrews to receiver Rantavious Wooten.

3. Shawn Williams
Senior, Safety
6-foot-1, 217 pounds

Fall forecast: Safety Bacarri Rambo drew most of the headlines -- and intercepted most of the passes -- for Georgia’s secondary last season, but fellow safety Williams was one of the Bulldogs’ steadiest players. He is Georgia’s top returning tackler and should be a steadying influence at the back end of the secondary for however long Rambo misses time while suspended. The team’s secondary concerns would be exponentially more concerning if not for Williams’ presence.

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Four days remain until Georgia kicks off its season opener against Buffalo on Saturday. In the days counting down to the opener, DawgNation will profile, with our “Around the Hedges in 80 Days” series, a Bulldogs player we expect to make an impact. We will review each player’s career thus far and project his long-term potential as we progress through our alphabetical list, from center David Andrews to receiver Rantavious Wooten.

4. Cornelius Washington
Senior, Defensive end/Outside linebacker
6-foot-4, 268 pounds

Fall forecast: Although Washington will probably still play outside linebacker in a limited capacity, his springtime shift to defensive end could pay dividends this fall. The Bulldogs’ pass rush from Washington’s new position could use a boost and he’s sure to provide it. Washington was second on the team with five sacks and 29 quarterback pressures last season and should at least match those totals this fall, if not surpass it.

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Five days remain until Georgia kicks off its season opener against Buffalo on Saturday. In the days counting down to the opener, DawgNation will profile, with our “Around the Hedges in 80 Days” series, a Bulldogs player we expect to make an impact. We will review each player’s career thus far and project his long-term potential as we progress through our alphabetical list, from center David Andrews to receiver Rantavious Wooten.

5. Xzavier Ward
Redshirt freshman, Offensive tackle
6-foot-7, 293 pounds

Fall forecast: While it is apparent that Ward has not completely recovered from a knee surgery that caused him to sit out last season, he is practicing with Georgia’s offensive line and has earned regular praise from coaches Mark Richt and Mike Bobo. We’re not sure whether he will play much of a role this fall, but keep an eye on him once he returns to full strength.

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Six days remain until Georgia kicks off its season opener against Buffalo on Saturday. In the days counting down to the opener, DawgNation will profile, with our “Around the Hedges in 80 Days” series, a Bulldogs player we expect to make an impact. We will review each player’s career thus far and project his long-term potential as we progress through our alphabetical list, from center David Andrews to receiver Rantavious Wooten.

6. Chase Vasser
Junior, Outside linebacker
6-foot-3, 231 pounds

Fall forecast: Although he is suspended for the first two games, Vasser appears ready to play a key role at the outside linebacker spot opposite Jarvis Jones this fall. After Cornelius Washington shifted to playing defensive end predominantly, Vasser moved onto the first-team defense and has remained there throughout the spring and preseason. He’ll share time with a number of teammates at OLB, but Vasser apparently will be a key contributor.

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Seven days remain until Georgia kicks off its season opener against Buffalo on Sept. 1. In the days counting down to the opener, DawgNation will profile, with our “Around the Hedges in 80 Days” series, a Bulldogs player we expect to make an impact. We will review each player’s career thus far and project his long-term potential as we progress through our alphabetical list, from center David Andrews to receiver Rantavious Wooten.

7. Blake Tibbs
Freshman, Wide receiver
6-foot-2, 175 pounds

Fall forecast: Since he plays a position that enjoys a reasonable amount of depth, Georgia’s coaches might take their time in deciding whether to use Tibbs as a true freshman. The Bulldogs’ receiving corps was hit by injuries last season, causing them to call on true freshman Chris Conley several weeks into the season when he might otherwise have redshirted. Coach Mark Richt said recently that Tibbs is capable of playing this fall, but has not tipped his hand as to whether the freshman will see the field immediately.

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Eight days remain until Georgia kicks off its season opener against Buffalo on Sept. 1. In the days counting down to the opener, DawgNation will profile, with our “Around the Hedges in 80 Days” series, a Bulldogs player we expect to make an impact. We will review each player’s career thus far and project his long-term potential as we progress through our alphabetical list, from center David Andrews to receiver Rantavious Wooten.

8. Michael Thornton
Sophomore, Defensive line
6-foot-1, 302 pounds

Fall forecast: After playing in a limited role as a redshirt freshman in 2011, Thornton seems on pace to become more of a regular this season. He has practiced at both nose guard and defensive end and that versatility should help him see the field more often. The Bulldogs have veteran talent at all of the line’s starting spots, but Thornton is part of a fairly large group of youngsters vying for playing time behind seniors John Jenkins, Abry Jones and Cornelius Washington.

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Nine days remain until Georgia kicks off its season opener against Buffalo on Sept. 1. In the days counting down to the opener, DawgNation will profile, with our “Around the Hedges in 80 Days” series, a Bulldogs player we expect to make an impact. We will review each player’s career thus far and project his long-term potential as we progress through our alphabetical list, from center David Andrews to receiver Rantavious Wooten.

9. Nathan Theus
Redshirt freshman, Long snapper
6-foot-3, 249 pounds

Fall forecast: Unless something happens to three-year starting snapper Ty Frix, Theus might contribute on special teams only in a reserve role this fall. Frix has handled the snapping duties in every game of his Georgia career and seems to still have a grasp on the job entering his senior season. However, it would not be a shock to see Theus get some opportunities to snap some this fall, as well.

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Ten days remain until Georgia kicks off its season opener against Buffalo on Sept. 1. In the days counting down to the opener, DawgNation will profile, with our “Around the Hedges in 80 Days” series, a Bulldogs player we expect to make an impact. We will review each player’s career thus far and project his long-term potential as we progress through our alphabetical list, from center David Andrews to receiver Rantavious Wooten.

10. John Theus
Freshman, Offensive line
6-foot-6, 309 pounds

Fall forecast: Several members of Georgia’s newest signing class will play key roles in 2012, but Theus might be the leading candidate to have the most impactful fall. He jumped into the starting lineup as soon as the Bulldogs opened preseason camp and appears set to work as the first-team right tackle when they open the season against Buffalo. Coach Mark Richt predicted big things for Theus as soon as he signed with Georgia and it’s clear that Richt’s coaching staff intends to give the freshman every opportunity to prove Richt correct right away. Sophomore Watts Dantzler is waiting in the wings to take over the job if Theus can’t get it done.

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Eleven days remain until Georgia kicks off its season opener against Buffalo on Sept. 1. In the days counting down to the opener, DawgNation will profile, with our “Around the Hedges in 80 Days” series, a Bulldogs player we expect to make an impact. We will review each player’s career thus far and project his long-term potential as we progress through our alphabetical list, from center David Andrews to receiver Rantavious Wooten.

11. Jonathan Taylor
Freshman, Defensive line
6-foot-4, 335 pounds

Fall forecast: While it is clear that many of Taylor’s signing classmates will play this fall, it is more difficult to decipher whether the Bulldogs will need the big defensive lineman’s services in 2012. He has the ability to play either nose guard or defensive end, but the Bulldogs have veteran depth at both positions. Coaches have said that Taylor is capable of contributing this fall, but if he won’t play a regular role, it might make more sense to redshirt him. Keep an eye out for Taylor in the opener against Buffalo. If he doesn’t hit the field in that game, a redshirt season will be probable.

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Twelve days remain until Georgia kicks off its season opener against Buffalo on Sept. 1. In the days counting down to the opener, DawgNation will profile, with our “Around the Hedges in 80 Days” series, a Bulldogs player we expect to make an impact. We will review each player’s career thus far and project his long-term potential as we progress through our alphabetical list, from center David Andrews to receiver Rantavious Wooten.

12. Damian Swann
Sophomore, Cornerback
5-foot-11, 189 pounds

Fall forecast: Swann is poised to play a role with much more impact at cornerback this fall after the Bulldogs lost Brandon Boykin to the NFL and Sanders Commings for the first two games following a suspension. Swann appears to be the No. 1 contender to take over Boykin’s spot as Georgia’s nickelback and he will play plenty in other cornerback spots, as well.

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Thirteen days remain until Georgia kicks off its season opener against Buffalo on Sept. 1. In the days counting down to the opener, DawgNation will profile, with our “Around the Hedges in 80 Days” series, a Bulldogs player we expect to make an impact. We will review each player’s career thus far and project his long-term potential as we progress through our alphabetical list, from center David Andrews to receiver Rantavious Wooten.

13. T.J. Stripling
Junior, Outside linebacker
6-foot-6, 235 pounds

Fall forecast: Finally healthy nearly two years after suffering a career-threatening injury as a freshman, Stripling seems likely to play a lot more this fall than he did a season ago. He’s finally out of a knee brace and confident that he can maneuver properly, so he should get a chance to show what he can do -- most likely in a reserve role -- at outside linebacker.

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Fourteen days remain until Georgia kicks off its season opener against Buffalo on Sept. 1. In the days counting down to the opener, DawgNation will profile, with our “Around the Hedges in 80 Days” series, a Bulldogs player we expect to make an impact. We will review each player’s career thus far and project his long-term potential as we progress through our alphabetical list, from center David Andrews to receiver Rantavious Wooten.

14. Ty Flournoy-Smith
Freshman, Tight end
6-foot-3, 237 pounds

Fall forecast: Like most freshmen who are about three weeks into their college careers, Flournoy-Smith is still catching onto all of his responsibilities. But the Bulldogs have almost no choice but to play him this season. With only Arthur Lynch and Jay Rome on the roster as scholarship tight ends, Georgia will make use of Flournoy-Smith’s receiving skills this season and hope he continues to improve as a blocker. He said recently that is the area that he must work on most as he was a bit undersized when he arrived on campus in June.

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Fifteen days remain until Georgia kicks off its season opener against Buffalo on Sept. 1. In the days counting down to the opener, DawgNation will profile, with our “Around the Hedges in 80 Days” series, a Bulldogs player we expect to make an impact. We will review each player’s career thus far and project his long-term potential as we progress through our alphabetical list, from center David Andrews to receiver Rantavious Wooten.

15. Garrison Smith
Junior, Defensive end
6-foot-3, 297 pounds

Fall forecast: After taking over for the injured DeAngelo Tyson as a starting defensive end late last season, Smith appears ready to play a key reserve role at that position this season. It appears as though seniors Cornelius Washington and Abry Jones will be the starters at end, but Smith would probably be the first player off the bench at the position.

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