Georgia Bulldogs: Chris Wilson
Editor's note: Over the next couple of weeks, we'll clean out our notebook from Georgia's spring practice to tell the stories we didn't get to before the Bulldogs' G-Day game. Previously we featured fullback Quayvon Hicks and tight end Jay Rome. Today we recap a conversation with defensive end Ray Drew from a few days before the G-Day game.
ATHENS, Ga. -- Ray Drew decided before spring practice to stop worrying so much about what everybody else thinks, and the junior defensive end believes that new approach made a world of difference.
ATHENS, Ga. -- Ray Drew decided before spring practice to stop worrying so much about what everybody else thinks, and the junior defensive end believes that new approach made a world of difference.
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Over the last two weeks, we reviewed the competition for playing time at each position on Georgia’s depth chart and identified a player to watch at each position.
A defense that lost 12 significant players will be a focal point well into the fall, and it was in our post-spring recaps. Let’s take a look at the defensive positions first:
A defense that lost 12 significant players will be a focal point well into the fall, and it was in our post-spring recaps. Let’s take a look at the defensive positions first:
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ATHENS, Ga. -- This year Tax Day marked the first day of the spring evaluation period which, so far, has turned out well for a number of prospects who now have verbal offers from the University of Georgia. The Georgia coaches also looked into a few other prospects who could eventually pick up an offer from the Bulldogs.
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Editor’s note: Last week we started reviewing each of Georgia’s position groups at the end of spring practice. We took a look at the offense last week. Today we begin examining the defense, starting with the defensive line:
Returning players/stats: Garrison Smith, Sr. (Eight starts in 2012. 57 tackles, two tackles for a loss, one sack); Ray Drew, Jr. (23 tackles, 1 TFL); Michael Thornton, Jr. (No tackles); Sterling Bailey, So. (One tackle); Jonathan Taylor, RFr. (Redshirted in 2012)
Newcomers: Toby Johnson, Jr. (ESPN’s No. 4 overall prospect in the 2013 junior college 100, No. 3 DT. Expected to enroll this summer); John Atkins, Fr. (Hargrave Military transfer. Enrolled in January); Chris Mayes, Jr. (No. 87 in 2013 junior college 100, No. 14 DT. Enrolled in January); DeAndre Johnson, Fr. (No. 84 DT. Expected to enroll this summer)
Returning players/stats: Garrison Smith, Sr. (Eight starts in 2012. 57 tackles, two tackles for a loss, one sack); Ray Drew, Jr. (23 tackles, 1 TFL); Michael Thornton, Jr. (No tackles); Sterling Bailey, So. (One tackle); Jonathan Taylor, RFr. (Redshirted in 2012)
Newcomers: Toby Johnson, Jr. (ESPN’s No. 4 overall prospect in the 2013 junior college 100, No. 3 DT. Expected to enroll this summer); John Atkins, Fr. (Hargrave Military transfer. Enrolled in January); Chris Mayes, Jr. (No. 87 in 2013 junior college 100, No. 14 DT. Enrolled in January); DeAndre Johnson, Fr. (No. 84 DT. Expected to enroll this summer)
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ATHENS, Ga. -- When the offseason conversations started about who might replace John Jenkins and Kwame Geathers at Georgia’s nose guard spot, it was almost as if Michael Thornton was the forgotten man.
Jonathan Taylor -- who shifted to defensive end during the spring -- Chris Mayes and John Atkins typically came up ahead of Thornton when such discussions started. And yet after a strong spring, Thornton has apparently pushed himself to the front of the line in new defensive line coach Chris Wilson’s estimation.
Jonathan Taylor -- who shifted to defensive end during the spring -- Chris Mayes and John Atkins typically came up ahead of Thornton when such discussions started. And yet after a strong spring, Thornton has apparently pushed himself to the front of the line in new defensive line coach Chris Wilson’s estimation.
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ATHENS, Ga. -- With G-Day just one week away, Georgia’s football team will return to Sanford Stadium this morning for its second spring scrimmage.
The Bulldogs’ regrouping defense won the day in the first scrimmage of spring practice, which they staged on Tuesday in extremely windy conditions -- and without starting quarterback Aaron Murray in attendance.
The state of the defense continues to be the most intriguing storyline this spring. We took a closer look at two position groups, the defensive line under new position coach Chris Wilson and the inside linebackers, earlier this week.
The Bulldogs’ regrouping defense won the day in the first scrimmage of spring practice, which they staged on Tuesday in extremely windy conditions -- and without starting quarterback Aaron Murray in attendance.
The state of the defense continues to be the most intriguing storyline this spring. We took a closer look at two position groups, the defensive line under new position coach Chris Wilson and the inside linebackers, earlier this week.
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DawgNation Mailbag: Full contact edition 
March, 22, 2013
Mar 22
9:00
AM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- Week two of Spring camp had the Georgia Bulldogs hitting the practice field in full pads while preparing for a scrimmage on Saturday. Position battles and projected performances dominated the questions we received for this edition of the DawgNation Mailbag.
Adam (Charlotte): What is your view on the post-Aaron Murray quarterback position battle? Brice Ramsey comes out very highly recruited but played in a pure running team and didn't really showcase his talents. Could the big bad SEC be too much for him?
Adam (Charlotte): What is your view on the post-Aaron Murray quarterback position battle? Brice Ramsey comes out very highly recruited but played in a pure running team and didn't really showcase his talents. Could the big bad SEC be too much for him?
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ATHENS, Ga. -- After his 2012 offense set several school records, Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo received a three-year contract that includes a $240,000 raise, pushing his guaranteed salary to $575,000 annually.
“I think he deserved a three-year deal because that’s really what’s happening out there in this league,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said before Thursday’s practice. “And his salary’s very competitive with his peers and I think he’s earned that.”
Jeff Vest/Icon SMIGeorgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo received a three-year contract that included a $240,000 raise.Bobo and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham now both are operating on three-year deals. Bobo had been coaching on renewable one-year contracts since joining Richt’s first UGA staff in 2001.
According to salary figures that UGA released to ESPN.com on Thursday, Bobo and each of Richt’s nine assistant coaches received salary increases following a 2012 campaign when the Bulldogs fell just short of an appearance in the BCS championship game.
“I think we’ve got a great staff and I want to keep them,” Richt said. “But it’s a very competitive league in a lot of areas. There’s the competition on the field, there’s the competition in recruiting and then sometimes there’s a competition to hang on to your assistant coaches.”
Offensive line coach Will Friend received a $90,000 raise, pushing his annual salary to $300,000 per year. Friend also added the title of running game coordinator to his resume.
Meanwhile, wide receivers coach Tony Ball received a $50,000 increase to $260,000.
Each of Georgia’s remaining assistants received $25,000 raises: Grantham (to $850,000), inside linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti (to $285,000), defensive backs coach Scott Lakatos (to $235,000), tight ends coach John Lilly (to $235,000) and running backs coach Bryan McClendon (to $235,000).
New defensive line coach Chris Wilson is scheduled to make $250,000 in 2013.
“It was good for them, but it was good for me as well because I really think these guys are tremendous,” Richt said of the staff raises. “I think every one of them are and over time, I want to continue to try to bless them the best we can financially and stay as competitive as we can in that area.”
“I think he deserved a three-year deal because that’s really what’s happening out there in this league,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said before Thursday’s practice. “And his salary’s very competitive with his peers and I think he’s earned that.”
Jeff Vest/Icon SMIGeorgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo received a three-year contract that included a $240,000 raise.According to salary figures that UGA released to ESPN.com on Thursday, Bobo and each of Richt’s nine assistant coaches received salary increases following a 2012 campaign when the Bulldogs fell just short of an appearance in the BCS championship game.
“I think we’ve got a great staff and I want to keep them,” Richt said. “But it’s a very competitive league in a lot of areas. There’s the competition on the field, there’s the competition in recruiting and then sometimes there’s a competition to hang on to your assistant coaches.”
Offensive line coach Will Friend received a $90,000 raise, pushing his annual salary to $300,000 per year. Friend also added the title of running game coordinator to his resume.
Meanwhile, wide receivers coach Tony Ball received a $50,000 increase to $260,000.
Each of Georgia’s remaining assistants received $25,000 raises: Grantham (to $850,000), inside linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti (to $285,000), defensive backs coach Scott Lakatos (to $235,000), tight ends coach John Lilly (to $235,000) and running backs coach Bryan McClendon (to $235,000).
New defensive line coach Chris Wilson is scheduled to make $250,000 in 2013.
“It was good for them, but it was good for me as well because I really think these guys are tremendous,” Richt said of the staff raises. “I think every one of them are and over time, I want to continue to try to bless them the best we can financially and stay as competitive as we can in that area.”
Schedule: The Bulldogs will open spring practice on Saturday and conclude the spring with their annual G-Day spring game on April 6 at 1 p.m. ET at Sanford Stadium.
What’s new: Chris Wilson will coach the Georgia defensive line after coming over from Mississippi State, where he was the Bulldogs' defensive coordinator for the past two seasons. Wilson replaces Rodney Garner, who left to take a job on the Auburn staff.
On the mend: Sophomore running back Keith Marshall will miss at least the first week of the spring after pulling a hamstring while running track. Junior receiver Michael Bennett is recovering from an ACL tear he suffered last season and won’t go through any contact this spring. Freshman receiver Tramel Terry, who enrolled early, is also recovering from ACL surgery after being injured in a high school postseason all-star game. Offensive guard Chris Burnette had shoulder surgery and won’t go through spring practices. Offensive tackle John Theus will miss most of the spring while recovering from a broken bone in his foot.
Question marks: The Bulldogs are losing a ton of key playmakers on defense, and it’s particularly important that they find some answers at safety this spring. Freshman Tray Matthews, an early enrollee from Newnan, Ga., will get every opportunity to win one of the starting safety jobs. Learning the defense will be critical for him this spring. Junior Corey Moore will also get a chance to show what he can do before junior college additions Paris Bostick, Shaq Fluker and Kennar Johnson arrive this summer. Finding somebody to do all of the things Alec Ogletree did at inside linebacker will also be a challenge. That makes this spring a big opportunity for junior Ramik Wilson.
New faces: The Bulldogs welcome 13 early enrollees. Junior college newcomer Jonathan Rumph (6-5, 215 pounds) will be a prime candidate to replace Marlon Brown as the bigger receiver in the Bulldogs’ offense. In addition to Matthews, freshman Quincy Mauger will get a look at safety. At nose guard, redshirt freshman John Taylor (6-4, 335 pounds) is the heir apparent to John Jenkins. Freshman John Atkins of Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy and junior college newcomer Chris Mayes, a sophomore, will also compete for early playing time up front on the Bulldogs’ defensive line.
Position of power: The Bulldogs were faced with having to replace three offensive line starters this time a year ago. But they crank up spring practice on Saturday with all five starters returning as well as every other offensive linemen who lettered a year ago. Mark Beard could push his way into the starting lineup at left tackle.
Breaking out: The Bulldogs plan to work Josh Harvey-Clemons at both outside linebacker and safety this spring. Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham made sure to get Harvey-Clemons in some nickel situations a year ago, so covering receivers in the slot should come a little more naturally to him in 2013. He’s a dynamic athlete, and his development will be a key for Georgia on defense. It’s important the Bulldogs settle on a position for him this spring.
Don’t forget about: Jarvis Jones is gone, but not forgotten. Don’t be surprised if talented sophomore Jordan Jenkins gives the Bulldogs a Jones-esque dimension at outside linebacker. He’s a terrific pass-rusher and lighting fast off the edge. He’s smart, instinctive and is always around the football. From the Florida game on last season, Jenkins was a starter for the Bulldogs. He finished with five sacks and could easily be a 10-sack guy in 2013.
All eyes on: The Bulldogs return virtually all of their firepower on offense, led by senior quarterback Aaron Murray, who’s on track to shatter most of the SEC career passing records. Scoring points shouldn’t be a problem. The challenge will be on defense, where the Bulldogs are losing 12 players who started at least two games last season. Grantham likes his young talent on defense, but getting people in the right spots and developing that talent will be crucial this spring.
What’s new: Chris Wilson will coach the Georgia defensive line after coming over from Mississippi State, where he was the Bulldogs' defensive coordinator for the past two seasons. Wilson replaces Rodney Garner, who left to take a job on the Auburn staff.
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John Amis/AP PhotoGeorgia linebacker Jordan Jenkins has his sights focused on netting more sacks in the 2013 season.
John Amis/AP PhotoGeorgia linebacker Jordan Jenkins has his sights focused on netting more sacks in the 2013 season.Question marks: The Bulldogs are losing a ton of key playmakers on defense, and it’s particularly important that they find some answers at safety this spring. Freshman Tray Matthews, an early enrollee from Newnan, Ga., will get every opportunity to win one of the starting safety jobs. Learning the defense will be critical for him this spring. Junior Corey Moore will also get a chance to show what he can do before junior college additions Paris Bostick, Shaq Fluker and Kennar Johnson arrive this summer. Finding somebody to do all of the things Alec Ogletree did at inside linebacker will also be a challenge. That makes this spring a big opportunity for junior Ramik Wilson.
New faces: The Bulldogs welcome 13 early enrollees. Junior college newcomer Jonathan Rumph (6-5, 215 pounds) will be a prime candidate to replace Marlon Brown as the bigger receiver in the Bulldogs’ offense. In addition to Matthews, freshman Quincy Mauger will get a look at safety. At nose guard, redshirt freshman John Taylor (6-4, 335 pounds) is the heir apparent to John Jenkins. Freshman John Atkins of Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy and junior college newcomer Chris Mayes, a sophomore, will also compete for early playing time up front on the Bulldogs’ defensive line.
Position of power: The Bulldogs were faced with having to replace three offensive line starters this time a year ago. But they crank up spring practice on Saturday with all five starters returning as well as every other offensive linemen who lettered a year ago. Mark Beard could push his way into the starting lineup at left tackle.
Breaking out: The Bulldogs plan to work Josh Harvey-Clemons at both outside linebacker and safety this spring. Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham made sure to get Harvey-Clemons in some nickel situations a year ago, so covering receivers in the slot should come a little more naturally to him in 2013. He’s a dynamic athlete, and his development will be a key for Georgia on defense. It’s important the Bulldogs settle on a position for him this spring.
Don’t forget about: Jarvis Jones is gone, but not forgotten. Don’t be surprised if talented sophomore Jordan Jenkins gives the Bulldogs a Jones-esque dimension at outside linebacker. He’s a terrific pass-rusher and lighting fast off the edge. He’s smart, instinctive and is always around the football. From the Florida game on last season, Jenkins was a starter for the Bulldogs. He finished with five sacks and could easily be a 10-sack guy in 2013.
All eyes on: The Bulldogs return virtually all of their firepower on offense, led by senior quarterback Aaron Murray, who’s on track to shatter most of the SEC career passing records. Scoring points shouldn’t be a problem. The challenge will be on defense, where the Bulldogs are losing 12 players who started at least two games last season. Grantham likes his young talent on defense, but getting people in the right spots and developing that talent will be crucial this spring.
ESPN Watch List defensive tackle Joshua Frazier (Springdale, Ark./Har Ber) has doubled his offer list in the last month. The 6-foot-4, 330-pound junior has added offers from USC, Notre Dame, Texas A&M and now Georgia.
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Welcome to the pre-spring practice edition of DawgNation Mailbag. Georgia starts spring practice on Saturday, so we will begin to see a clearer picture of what the 2013 Bulldogs are going to look like. In the meantime I answered the questions sent in from our premium message board -- The Pound, as well as from Twitter and Facebook.
Perry.James: Who are your top 5 "MVRs" (Most Valuable Recruits) from this past class?
Perry.James: Who are your top 5 "MVRs" (Most Valuable Recruits) from this past class?
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DE could be first Georgia Dawg of '15
February, 19, 2013
Feb 19
9:00
AM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
Defensive end Arden Key (Lithonia, Ga./Martin Luther King) took in the University of Georgia junior day on Saturday and met with Bulldogs defensive line coach Chris Wilson. The new coach made quite the impression on the young sophomore, as by the time Key left, he was tweeting that he wished he could commit to Georgia.
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia’s coaching staff proved in the last two seasons that it is more than willing to play a newcomer in order to address glaring needs. And as they prepare to put the finishing touches on their 2013 signing class, the coaches can only hope that the newest Bulldogs can be as effective as their predecessors from that last two years at addressing Georgia’s depth concerns.
Mark Richt’s critics might once have had a point when they observed that his coaching staff gave veterans too much of a benefit of the doubt when it came to playing them over talented young players. The last two seasons have neutralized those criticisms, as it’s hard to imagine Georgia having won the last two SEC East titles without extensive contributions from brand new Bulldogs.
Think back to 2011, when John Jenkins’ emergence at nose guard was one of the leading factors in Georgia’s defensive resurgence that carried the Bulldogs to their first division title since 2005. Or how tailback Isaiah Crowell led the team with 850 rushing yards en route to SEC Freshman of the Year honors. Or how Malcolm Mitchell and Chris Conley both made their share of big plays at receiver, as did Amarlo Herrera at linebacker.
Mark Richt’s critics might once have had a point when they observed that his coaching staff gave veterans too much of a benefit of the doubt when it came to playing them over talented young players. The last two seasons have neutralized those criticisms, as it’s hard to imagine Georgia having won the last two SEC East titles without extensive contributions from brand new Bulldogs.
Think back to 2011, when John Jenkins’ emergence at nose guard was one of the leading factors in Georgia’s defensive resurgence that carried the Bulldogs to their first division title since 2005. Or how tailback Isaiah Crowell led the team with 850 rushing yards en route to SEC Freshman of the Year honors. Or how Malcolm Mitchell and Chris Conley both made their share of big plays at receiver, as did Amarlo Herrera at linebacker.
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Having redshirted last fall at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Chris Mayes has three years of eligibility left now that he’s enrolled at Georgia. And that’s a good thing, as the big defensive lineman is still in many ways a project as a football player.
Mayes was a basketball player until the coaching staff at Spalding High School in Griffin, Ga. -- wowed by the athleticism displayed by a 6-foot-4 player who tipped the scales at nearly 300 pounds -- convinced him to play football for the first time as a junior.
Mayes was a basketball player until the coaching staff at Spalding High School in Griffin, Ga. -- wowed by the athleticism displayed by a 6-foot-4 player who tipped the scales at nearly 300 pounds -- convinced him to play football for the first time as a junior.
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New coach focused on wrapping up class
January, 30, 2013
Jan 30
6:18
PM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- Chris Wilson officially has been a member of Georgia’s coaching staff for three weeks, but the Bulldogs’ new defensive line coach barely has had time to even meet his new pupils.
Aside from a team meeting immediately after his hiring, Wilson and the other members of Mark Richt’s staff have been focused on wrapping up the recruiting class that will sign next Wednesday.
“We fill every minute of their day,” Wilson said Wednesday afternoon, “and every minute of my day when I’m not in the office is pretty full, too, on the road.”
Aside from a team meeting immediately after his hiring, Wilson and the other members of Mark Richt’s staff have been focused on wrapping up the recruiting class that will sign next Wednesday.
“We fill every minute of their day,” Wilson said Wednesday afternoon, “and every minute of my day when I’m not in the office is pretty full, too, on the road.”
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
David Ching
David Ching came to ESPN.com in 2011 after six years covering UGA for the Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer and Athens (Ga.) Banner-Herald. He lives in Athens. Email him at davidchingespn@gmail.com.
Radi Nabulsi
Radi Nabulsi joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Georgia for Rivals.com for four years and for the UGA Athletic Association since 1993. Nabulsi is a graduate of the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and lives in Athens. He can be reached at radinabulsiespn@gmail.com.
Kipp Adams
Kipp Adams joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering University of Georgia football and basketball recruiting for five years at Rivals.com. He lives in Sandy Springs, Ga., and enjoys spending time with his two sons. He can be reached at kippadamsespn@gmail.com.