It’s an exciting time to be a Georgia Bulldogs fan. SEC Media Days started this week, ushering in the Greg Sankey era of the SEC, and with it came the first official preseason depth chart from the UGA Athletic Department. With kickoff just over 50 days away, everyone knows about Georgia’s clear-cut stars.
There’s quarterback Brice Ramsey – who notably was listed as the starter on the depth chart for the first time, ahead of Faton Bauta. There is Heisman Trophy candidate Nick Chubb and backfield mates Sony Michel and Keith Marshall at running back. There are defensive standouts Leonard Floyd, Jordan Jenkins and Lorenzo Carter at linebacker.
UGA Depth Chart: 5 Players To Look Out For
Here are five less-renowned players on UGA’s depth chart you should know before the 2015 season starts:
1) Jake Ganus, linebacker (senior)
Ok, you may have heard about Jake Ganus back in December when he decided to transfer to Georgia after UAB shuttered its football program. But what do you really know about him? Ganus was the leading tackler for the Blazers the past two seasons, and he had 226 total tackles in his career – with 28 tackles for loss and six sacks. He has impressed early with Georgia, leading the team in tackles in his first two scrimmage games. He plays with heart and like he has something to prove.
Ganus currently sits second on UGA’s depth chart behind junior Tim Kimbrough, but if he continues to strengthen his game, do not be surprised to see him get consistent and significant playing time this season. Is Ganus happy to see UAB bringing back its football program? Yes. But things worked out better for Ganus in the end, and he’ll be a fun story of perseverance and drive to root for this season.
2) Shakenneth Williams, wide receiver (sophomore)
Shakenneth Williams was a four-star wide receiver prospect coming out of high school in 2014, but it is possible that he was vastly underrated because of his disjointed high school career. Williams had offers from five other SEC schools, but very quickly chose UGA at Mark Richt’s Dawg Night camp in July 2013.
He has blistering speed, great hands and a ton of potential. In his first season with the Bulldogs, Williams played in just five games, notching three catches for 61 yards (including this 35 yard gain against Troy). Williams is currently listed behind Malcolm Mitchell, Kenneth Towns and Justin Scott-Wesley on the depth chart at the “X” receiver position, but with Scott-Wesley’s recent knee surgery and subsequent recovery schedule, Williams has a chance to make some noise this year.
3) Christian Payne, fullback (sophomore)
Local Athens, GA product Christian Payne is currently listed as the starter at fullback on UGA’s depth chart, ahead of the better-known Quayvon Hicks. Payne transitioned from his roles as a linebacker and tight end at Price Avenue Christian School to fullback when he walked on at Georgia. Over time, he earned his first playing time last season against Arkansas, and his first start against Georgia Tech.
Payne – who stands at 6’1″, 222 pounds – is well respected by his teammates and is ready to show what he can do against SEC defenses, both as a runner and a blocker. With two humble, yet passionate starting backs in Nick Chubb and Christian Payne, Georgia will boast a vaunted ground attack – especially with proven backups, like Hicks, Keith Marshall, Sony Michel, Brendan Douglas, etc. The list just keeps on going.
4) Tramel Terry, cornerback (redshirt sophomore)
Tramel Terry has been through significant hardships to start his college football career. First, back in December 2012, Terry tore his ACL in the Shrine Bowl All-Star Game and underwent surgery that kept him from starting right away at wide receiver. After taking a redshirt in 2013, Terry shifted from his natural wide receiver position to play safety. At 6-0, 184 pounds, the defensive coaches coveted his talents, and he made the switch.
In 2014, Terry made his debut at safety against Troy, helping preserve UGA’s 66-0 shutout with an interception in the end zone. Terry saw little time on the field last season, appearing in ten games and recording six total tackles. Now, he is listed second on the depth chart at – yep, a new position – cornerback, behind Malkom Parrish. When Terry came to UGA, both offensive and defensive coaches marveled at his abilities. In 2015, it will be the fans in the stands of Sanford Stadium marveling.
5) Jonathan Ledbetter, defensive end (freshman)
Many fans likely don’t remember that back in August 2014, the Georgia Bulldogs offered and signed a former NCAA Division II basketball player named Joseph Ledbetter to a football scholarship to play tight end. What fans will remember is what happened just weeks later – Georgia’s number ten overall prospect flipped his commitment from Alabama to Georgia. That player was Jonathan Ledbetter, a defensive lineman from Tucker High School and Joseph’s younger brother.
Ledbetter, after making it official, enrolled early at UGA and participated in the G-Day game this April. He comes in with vaunted defensive lineman Trent Thompson – who was one of the nation’s top recruits this year – and could make a huge impact this season for Jeremy Pruitt’s defense.
BONUS: Que, English Bulldog (one and a half)
This past Saturday, news came out that Uga IX (Russ) would retire this fall, likely paving the way for his grandson, Que, to become Uga X. Que was on hand at Sanford Stadium for the tenth annual Countdown to Kickoff event as a test run to see how he would interact with large crowds. Que is the first in line to become UGA’s legendary mascot, but if things don’t work out, there are two others – both younger than Que – who could become Uga X. The 11-year-old Russ officially became Uga IX in 2012, and the official collaring ceremony for Uga X would likely occur later in the season when the temperatures are lower.
A lot can happen between now and the first game of the season, but there is plenty to get excited about as we fly through the summer on the way to Opening Kickoff. September 5th will be here before you know it. Get your tailgating skills ready for one heck of a season in Athens.
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