Bulldogs ‘grateful’ for new Georgia OL coach Stacey Searels

Georgia C Sedrick Van Pran on new OL coach Stacey Searels

According to Georgia offensive linemen, the Bulldogs are in good hands with first-year offensive line coach Stacey Searels.

Searels, who held the same position at UGA from 2007 to 2010, spent the last three seasons under Mack Brown at North Carolina.

The former Auburn All-American offensive lineman takes over in Athens for Matt Luke, who left the Bulldogs to spend more time with his family.

With the offensive line being the backbone of the Bulldogs’ offense, Searels has a tough task to get up to speed with the offense and the talent up front. Something that UGA players believe is no issue with Searels taking over.

Jul 20, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs center Sedrick Van Pran gets interviewed during SEC Media Days at the College Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

“I like the way that he really breaks down the concepts of the other guys. I think one big thing that can help a lot of the younger guys is understanding why the play is what it is, what it is meant to do to the defense. I think those types of things can really help the younger guys grow into better players,”Georgia center Sedrick Van Pran said at SEC Media Days.”

“It was a bit of a shock the first week and a half, just getting used to it. I can say that coach Searels is someone who generally cares about his players and wants the best for you.”

Nov 10, 2007; Athens, GA, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive end Quentin Groves (54) works against Georgia Bulldogs tackle Chester Adams (67) during the second half at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. Georgia defeated Auburn 45-20. Mandatory Credit: Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2007 Paul Abell

Former Georgia lineman Chester Adams, who was coached by Searels at UGA, spoke very highly of his former mentor in March.

“He’s going to speak life into you. He’s going to push you, but he’s also going to teach you while he’s pushing you. He sees potential and he’s going to pull it out of you, and you’re going to have fun doing it,” former Georgia offensive lineman Chester Adams said in March. “If you buy into what he’s teaching you, there’s no secret that everywhere he’s been, the run game has been successful — whether it was at Texas, LSU, Georgia or North Carolina where he just left.”

“If you buy into the way he teaches you, you’re going to have success and big success.”

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UGA football player card: OL Sedrick Van Pran

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Sedrick Van Pran comes to the University of Georgia as the top-rated center recruit in the class of 2020

Sedrick Van Pran, Offensive Line (No. 63):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-4

Weight: 300 pounds

Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana

High School: Warren Easton High School

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Sedrick Van Pran comes to the University of Georgia as the top-rated center recruit in the class of 2020. He played football at Warren Easton High School in Louisiana before coming to Athens.

He will compete with returning starting center Trey Hill for playing time next season. Trey Hill is Georgia’s only returning starting offensive lineman and will be tough to win playing time over. Hill has great experience and stood out as a pass blocker last season.

That being said, Van Pran has lots of talent and should be Georgia’s future at the position. Georgia additionally has Clay Webb at the center position. Webb came to UGA as a touted recruit as well. Georgia is stacked at center moving forward and has excellent depth at the position. It will be interesting to see if Van Pran or Webb is the back-up center during this season.

UGA offensive line coach Matt Luke, the former Ole Miss head coach, lost three players to the 2020 NFL Draft. Luke secured a quality recruiting class along the offensive front including arguably the nation’s top tackle. Van Pran is a key member of Georgia’s class of 2020.

Check out some of Van Pran’s high school highlights. Van Pran consistently overwhelms his competition at the high school level:

 

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