A Bright Future

There has been a lot of talk about Georgia using the 41-10 win over Hawaii as a spring board to a title run season in 2008. Whether the Dogs contend for the SEC Championship and/or the National Championship, is yet to be seen, but you have to admit with the returners they have, anything is possible. Here is a look at who will be back next year.
I will list the player's name, what year he is, whether he was a starter (S) or saw action last year (V) and what Scout.com ranked him as a high school prospect (3, 4 or 5 stars).

I tried to put player in the position they are expected to play based on some speculation and their natural position, but this is all subject to change (and probably will).

OFFENSE:

LT
T. Sturdivant - Soph - S - 4
V. Vance - JR - V - 3
C. Little - Soph - 4

LG
C. Davis - RSoph - S - 3
J. Davis - RSoph - 3
J. Anderson - RSoph - 4

C
K. Perez - RSoph - 3
B. Jones - Fresh - 3
C. Davis - RSoph - S - 3 (there is a chance Davis will move over to center if Perez and Jones aren't ready)

RG
V. Vance - Jr - V - 3
C. Boling - Soph - S - 3
J. Anderson - RSoph - 4

RT
C. Boling - Soph - S - 3 (Boling will likely move over to tackle from guard)
K. Tripp - RFresh - 4
V. Vance - Jr - V - 3

TE
T. Chandler - Sr - S - 3
B. Figgins - Soph - V - 3
N. Ward - RSoph - 4

The Dogs must replace the Center and Right Tackle position. It is still a young squad, but now they will have some experience under their belt and an additional spring and fall camp to be ready for the season.

QB
M. Stafford - Jr - S - 5
J. Cox - Jr - V - 4
L. Gray - RFresh - 4

FB
B. Southerland - Sr - S - 3
S. Chapas - RSoph - V - 3

RB
K. Moreno - RSoph - S - 4
C. King - RFresh - 5
R. Samuel - Fresh - 5

Redshirt-Frehsman Caleb King will be called upon to replace Thomas Brown and Kregg Lumpkin. If King is "as advertised", then the Dogs should be in great condition in the backfield.

If the Dogs can find capable replacements at C & RT, King provides capable of spotting Moreno, a deep threat to replace Bailey and Stafford can increase his completion percentage to 65%, I think the Dogs' offense should roll. It sounds like a lot, but really it isn't too much to ask with the players we have.

SE
A.J. Green - Fresh - 5
K. Durham - Jr - V - 3
D. Goodman - Sr - V - 3
T. King - Fresh - 4

FLK
M. Massaquoi - Sr - S - 4
T. Wilson - RSoph - V - 4
I. Troupe - RFresh - 4

This is the hardest group to pick sense there is more rotation at the WR position anyway and there are some newcomers that figure to have an impact. K. Harris will also be in the mix.

DEFENSE:

DE
R. Battle - Jr - S - 4
J. Wynn - Sr - V - 4
D. Dobbs - Soph - 4

DT
J. Owens - Sr - S - 4
C. Irvin - Sr - V - 3
D. Tyson - Fresh - 5

DT
G. Atkins - Jr - S - 3
K. Weston - Jr - V - 5
R. Crawford - Soph - 3

DE
J. Lomax - Sr - V - 3
M. Lemon - Soph - 3
B. Wood - Soph - 5

A question mark coming into 2007, the DL is now looking like a strength in 2008. However, prospect DeAngelo Tyson hasn't made his required ACT score yet.

SLB
A. Dent - RSoph - S - 4
A. Hebron - Jr - 5
J. Houston - Soph - 3

MLB
D. Ellerbe - Sr - S - 3
M. Washington - Sr - V - 4
D. Gamble - Jr - V - 4

WLB
R. Curran - Soph - S - 4
D. Dewberry - Jr - V - 5
M. Dowtin - Fresh - 4
A. Hebron - Jr - 5

For the first time in a while, the LB position could be settled going into the season (but I doubt it). Look for Ellerbe and Curran to be regulars and there to be depth with Washington, Gamble, Hebron, Dewberry and Dent. Again, this could be a real strenth.

CB
P. Miller - Jr - S - 4
B. Evans - Jr - V - 4
R. Brown - Sr - V - 3

SS
R. Jones - RSoph - V - 4
J. Knox - Soph - 4
N. Williams - Fresh - 3

FS
C.J. Byrd - Sr - S - 5
Q. Banks - RSoph - V - 3
B. Rambo - Fresh - 3

CB
A. Allen - Jr - S - 4
D. Baldwin - Jr - 3
V. Cuff - Soph - 4

The Dogs return 3 of their 4 starters and several players who have seen significant playing time in the past 2 years.

There is potential for this to be a great team defense. If one or 2 of the DL can step up from good to great, if Curran can pick up pass coverage better, if Miller progresses and if 2 of these 3- Allen, Jones & Byrd, have a great season, this defense could be very scary in a good way.

The potential for a lock-down defense and a strong offense have the Bulldogs looking like a preseason favorite for 2008.