Kirby Smart and the University of Georgia lost an abundance of talent in the trenches this off-season. Georgia is losing four starting offensive linemen from the 2019 season. Kirby Smart recruits aggressively so the Dawgs can reload and not rebuild.
Center Trey Hill will be the only returning start from 2019’s line. That doesn’t mean UGA will lack talent in 2020. The Bulldogs return numerous offensive linemen (in addition to Hill) with valuable experience including: Justin Shaffer (now healthy), Ben Cleveland, and Jamaree Salyer. Georgia will need each of their experience in the week three trip to Tuscaloosa to face Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
In fact, Georgia’s returning linemen are among the best in the SEC, per PFF’s Brent Rollins:
#SEC Highest-graded returning O-linemen
Darian Kinnard, UK – 89.2
Jamaree Salyer, UGA – 81.3
Trey Smith, UT – 78.6
Landon Young, UK – 78.3
Drake Jackson, UK – 78.0
Ben Cleveland, UGA – 77.4
Luke Fortner, UK – 77.0
Carson Green, A&M – 76.3
Trey Hill, UGA – 73.6@PFF_College— Brent Rollins (@PFF_Brent) February 19, 2020
Georgia will have three of the top-graded returning nine offensive linemen in the SEC. The Dawgs additionally added five-star offensive tackle Broderick Jones, four-star Tate Ratledge, top-rated center Sedrick Van Pran, four-star offensive tackle Chad Lindberg, and a pair of three-star linemen in the class of 2020.
One of the talented newcomers will likely work their way into the line-up, possibly two. Georgia also returns Warren Ericson, who started at right guard in the Sugar Bowl against Baylor, 2019 five-star center Clay Webb, Warren McClendon, Xavier Truss, Owen Condon, and more.
The biggest question mark for UGA is who will replace stud left tackle Andrew Thomas? That may be too big of an adjustment for five-star freshman Broderick Jones, but he’s the best bet to take over that position. Aside from left tackle, quality depth is the second biggest concern along Georgia’s offensive line. Kirby Smart will rely on new offensive line coach Matt Luke to get the most of the talented group.
[lawrence-auto-related count=1]