After Thursday’s practice, Georgia senior outside linebacker Chaz Chambliss and redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Earnest Greene III spoke with the media. Here are the key takeaways from their remarks.
Adjustments on the Offensive Line With starting center Jared Wilson working his way back from an Achilles injury, the Bulldogs are preparing backup plans in case he isn’t ready for Week 1. Recently, redshirt senior guard Tate Ratledge has been taking snaps at center as a potential replacement for Wilson.
“Center is a complex position that requires strong chemistry for the unit to gel,” Greene noted. “Tate’s doing well in that role. It’s Tate Ratledge, so he’s going to be a great player there. It’s all about building that chemistry.”
Should Ratledge start at center in the season opener, junior Micah Morris is expected to move to Ratledge’s regular position at right guard. Georgia has enjoyed solid stability at center with three-year starter Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, but with his move to the NFL, the team needs to adapt. Although Wilson was praised in the spring, the Bulldogs are preparing for the possibility that he might not be available at the start of the season.
Focusing on the Present Georgia will have its second fall scrimmage on Saturday. With the season starting in just over two weeks, this scrimmage is a critical gauge of the team’s progress. Despite the temptation to look ahead to Week 1, the team is emphasizing the importance of taking things one step at a time.
“I prefer not to look too far ahead,” Greene said. “We’re focusing on practice and getting ready for Saturday’s scrimmage. We had one last week, and we’re working on coming together as a unit.”
Chambliss shared a similar perspective from the defensive side.
“We don’t establish our identity until we play our first game,” Chambliss said. “With 16 days left, we’re focusing on ourselves, honing what we do best, and figuring out who we are through the tests we face.”
Running Back Room Changes With last year’s leading running backs, Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton, moving on to the NFL, Georgia’s running back room has a different look this year. New faces include Florida transfer Trevor Etienne, the return of redshirt sophomore Branson Robinson from injury, and freshmen Nate Frazier, Chauncey Bowens, and Dwight Phillips Jr. This group has already impressed during camp.
“They’re incredibly talented,” Greene said. “The entire room has a lot of potential. They’re making explosive plays and showcasing their dynamic abilities. We’re excited to support them this year.”
Chambliss, who faces these running backs in practice, also expressed optimism about Georgia’s running game and overall offense. He praised the offense’s excellence and highlighted the benefits of daily practice against such a skilled unit.
“I truly believe we always have the best offense in the country,” Chambliss said. “Our O-line gave up just nine sacks last year—less than one per game. The talent and coaching are top-notch, and we know that every practice brings its own set of challenges and rewards.”
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