Tag: georgia bulldogs roster

UGA football player card: OL Xavier Truss

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Xavier Truss came to Athens all the way from Rhode Island.

Xavier Truss, Offensive Line (#73):

Class: Redshirt freshman

Height: 6-7

Weight: 330 pounds

Hometown: Warwick, Rhode Island

High School: Bishop Hendricken High School

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Xavier Truss came to Athens all the way from Warwick, Rhode Island. Truss was the state’s top recruit in his class as a four-star offensive tackle.

Truss will look to earn more playing time next season. He’ll face talented recruits in competition along the offensive line, but he could end up as a starter at offensive tackle. Truss will compete with the likes of Ben Cleveland, Jamaree Salyer, Warren Ericson, Justin Shaffer, Warren McClendon, Broderick Jones, and more for a starting role in 2020.

Georgia Bulldogs offensive line coach Matt Luke isn’t short on talent despite losing three players to the 2020 NFL Draft. Truss played in three games last season, but not against the Baylor Bears, which is interesting because the Dawgs were without their top offensive tackles for that contest.

Here’s how Truss committed to UGA:

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UGA football player card: OL Warren McClendon

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Warren McClendon played in four games as a freshman last season

Warren McClendon, Offensive Line (#70):

Class: Redshirt freshman

Height: 6-4

Weight: 320 pounds

Hometown: Brunswick, Georgia

High School: Brunswick High School

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Warren McClendon played in four games as a freshman last season, so he was able to redshirt. McClendon came to the University of Georgia from Brunswick High School.

The talented offensive tackle had several ties to Georgia before coming to Athens. His cousin, Bryan McClendon, was an assistant and interim coach at Georgia before heading to Oregon this past offseason. His uncle, Willie, was an All-SEC running back at Georgia in the late 1970s.

McClendon has a serious chance to earn playing time next season. He’ll face stout competition along the offensive line, but he could end up as a starter. McClendon is primarily considered a tackle, but could additionally be used as an offensive guard. He’ll compete with the likes of Ben Cleveland, Jamaree Salyer, Warren Ericson, Justin Shaffer, Xavier Truss, Broderick Jones, and more for a starting role in 2020.

Georgia Bulldogs offensive line coach Matt Luke isn’t short on talent despite losing three players to the 2020 NFL Draft.

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UGA football player card: OL Trey Hill

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Trey Hill is the only returning member of last season’s starting offensive front

Trey Hill, Offensive Line (#55):

Class: Junior

Height: 6-4

Weight: 330 pounds

Hometown: Warner Robins, Georgia

High School:  Houston County High School

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Trey Hill is the only returning member of last season’s starting offensive front. Hill has played in 28 games in his career, including the 2019 season, where he started every game at center. He additionally has experience starting at offensive guard.

Hill was named second team All-SEC following his impressive 2019 performance. He helped man one of the top offensive line units in all of college football last season. Hill will be the glue of Georgia’s offensive line and will help give the Dawgs a cohesive unit. Matt Luke and offensive line are replacing several NFL draft picks.

Hill was quite effective in pass protection last season:

Trey Hill came to Athens as a four/five star recruit (depending on the scouting service) and has certainly lived up to his billing. Hill is a candidate to leave for the NFL Draft early following the 2020 college football season. In fact, Hill projects as a third round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

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UGA football player card: OL Justin Shaffer

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Justin Shaffer will be a key player along the University of Georgia’s offensive front in 2020

Justin Shaffer, Offensive Line (#54):

Class: Senior

Height: 6-4

Weight: 330 pounds

Hometown: Ellenwood, Georgia

High School: Cedar Grove High School

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Justin Shaffer will be a key player along the University of Georgia’s offensive front in 2020. Shaffer played in six games last season and missed the rest due to a scary neck injury. He’s since been medically cleared to return to football.

Shaffer has played in 26 games throughout his career, primarily at offensive guard. His experience will be valuable heading into the 2020 season. Matt Luke and Georgia’s offensive line is replacing several NFL draft picks.

Shaffer helped the Dawgs have college football’s top offensive line last season.

Shaffer is putting in some work this off-season:

Shaffer, Warren Ericson, Ben Cleveland, Jamaree Salyer, and several talented freshman are projected to compete at offensive guard next season. Georgia’s offensive line will have to grow a lot before the Bulldogs face off against the Alabama Crimson Tide in September.

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UGA football player card: OL Warren Ericson

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Warren Ericson came to Athens as a four-star offensive guard recruit out of North Gwinnett High School.

Warren Ericson, Offensive Line (#50):

Class: Redshirt sophomore

Height: 6-4

Weight: 305 pounds

Hometown: Suwanee, Georgia

High School: North Gwinnett High School

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Warren Ericson came to Athens as a well regarded four-star offensive guard recruit out of North Gwinnett High School. Ericson enrolled early in Athens and ended up playing in three games as a freshman. During this season he took a redshirt.

Ericson played in six games last season including the Sugar Bowl, where he started at right guard. This one game of starting experience will be valuable heading into the 2020 season. Georgia is replacing several NFL draft picks along the offensive front and can use an experienced lineman like Ericson.

He played a role on college football’s top offensive line last season:

Ericson, Ben Cleveland, Jamaree Salyer, and several talented freshman are projected to compete at offensive guard next season.

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Georgia football player card: DB Dan Jackson

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Dan Jackson redshirted during the 2019 season.

Dan Jackson, defensive back (No. 47):

Class: Redshirt freshman

Height: 6-1

Weight: 180 pounds

Hometown: Gainesville, Georgia

High School: North Hall High School

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Dan Jackson redshirted during the 2019 season. Jackson made All State as a senior at North Hall High School. Jackson isn’t anticipated to have a large role in Georgia’s secondary.

Dan Lanning and company had a stifling defense last season and the Dawgs may be even better in 2020. It will be among to the best defenses in the nation. Georgia’s defensive backs should be special next season.

Jackson participated during practice last spring:

Jackson additionally played basketball during his time in at North Hall.

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Georgia football player card: DB Jake Wilson

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Jake Wilson’s dad, Chad, also played football for the University of Georgia.

Jake Wilson, defensive back (No. 46):

Class: Redshirt freshman

Height: 5-9

Weight: 175 pounds

Hometown: Acworth, Georgia

High School: Mt. Paran High School

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Jake Wilson walked on to the football team in 2019. He took a redshirt last season and primarily served as a scout team player.

Wilson was an All-State selection in high school at Mount Paran. His dad, Chad, also played at Georgia under Ray Goff.

Georgia is stacked in the secondary headed into next season. The Dawgs have Eric Stokes, DJ Daniel, Tyson Campbell, Kelee Ringo, Divaad Wilson, Mark Webb, and more at cornerback.

Georgia’s defense may be the best in the nation next season. The passing defense has more room to improve, but much of that falls on Georgia’s pass rush, which was middle of the pack (in terms of sacks) last season. The Dawgs had the best run defense in the country in 2019.

Dan Lanning and company had a stifling defense last season and the Dawgs may be even better in 2020. They’ll be fun to watch.

Wilson chose attending the University of Georgia over other local schools like Kennesaw State.

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UGA football player card: OL Chase Harof

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Chase Harof played football at Reinhardt University from 2017-2018.

Chase Harof, Offensive Line (#43):

Class: Senior

Height: 6-2

Weight: 250 pounds

Hometown: Roswell, Georgia

High School: Blessed Trinity High School

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Chase Harof is quite small for a Georgia offensive lineman. At only 250 pounds, Harof is projected to play on the scout team in 2020, after he spent the 2019 season on the scout team.

Harof played at Reinhardt University from 2017-2018. Harof played center and made the 2018 AAC First Team All-Conference along the offensive line. Harof would shock Georgia fans if he could end up getting any playing time. Much of Harof’s work will go unnoticed, but he will help prepare the defense for opposing offensive lines.

Harof played football and track during his time at Blessed Trinity High School.

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Georgia football player card: DB Hugh Nelson

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Hugh Nelson won the Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year award in 2018.

Hugh Nelson, defensive back (No. 39):

Class: Redshirt sophomore

Height: 6-2

Weight: 198 pounds

Hometown: Powder Springs, Georgia

High School: Hillgrove High School

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Hugh Nelson walked on to the football team in 2018. He took a redshirt that season and primarily served as a key scout team player. Nelson won the Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year award for his effort in 2018.

Nelson appeared in the Arkansas State game season. He’ll be looking to play in more contests next season. Nelson also played in the spring game of 2019. Nelson ran track and played football during his time at Hillgrove High School.

Georgia is stacked in the secondary headed into next season. The Dawgs have Eric Stokes, DJ Daniel, Tyson Campbell, Kelee Ringo, Divaad Wilson, Mark Webb, and more at cornerback.

Georgia’s defense will be among the best in the nation next season. The passing defense has a little room to improve, but much of that falls on Georgia’s pass rush, which was middle of the pack (in terms of sacks) last season.

Dan Lanning and company had a stifling defense last season and the Dawgs may be even better in 2020. They’ll be fun to watch.

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UGA football player card: RB KJ McCoy

University of Georgia Bulldogs running back KJ McCoy attended East Georgia State College from 2017-2018. 

Running Back KJ McCoy (No. 39):

Class: Redshirt Freshman

Height: 5-10

Weight: 200 pounds

Hometown: Swainsboro, Georgia

High School: Swainsboro High School

Georgia Bulldogs running back KJ McCoy is a redshirt freshman. Before attending the University of Georgia, McCoy attended East Georgia State College from 2017-2018.

He impressed during the 2019 spring game, when he gained 46 total yards on seven total touches. McCoy’s cousin, Isaiah, also walked on to the team in 2019.

McCoy played both football, basketball, and track at Swainsboro High School.

McCoy will be competing with Kendall Milton, Zamir White, James Cook, Kenny McIntosh, and more at the running back position. McCoy would surprise a lot of folks if he earned touches in Georgia’s very talented backfield. He’s projected to be primarily used as depth on the scout team next season.

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