Pat Allen was surprised as anyone at the end of spring practice when he found himself working with the first-team offensive line as the starter at left guard.

As he put it, being there in the spring was one thing. Yet, keeping it through fall practice was going to be quite another.

But so far, so good.

As Georgia continues its preparations for next week’s season-opener against Appalachian State, Allen is still practicing with the first unit at the position.

“I’m just trying to be dependable for my coaches, for my teammates,” Allen said after practice on Tuesday. “I’m trying to give them everything they need.”

It appears that he is.

Allen said he’s currently weighing in at between 295 and 300 pounds, and that’s also helped him become one of the Bulldogs’ more versatile offensive linemen.

He even spent a few days at right tackle, while Andrew Thomas saw looks at left guard, before being moved back with the freshman Thomas now apparently in line to start at right tackle.

“That week, Coach wanted to get our freshmen going, give them the experience and everything like that,” Allen said. “So, that week I was with the twos and threes, going to different positions, working technique at right tackle, going at left tackle some plays and just being a guy who can be pivotal for Coach.”

Running back Nick Chubb said he’s got no complaints from what he’s seen of Allen.

“I think he’s looking a lot better now,” Chubb said. “He’s matured. He’s grown up and done everything we’ve asked him to do. He looks great to me. He’s definitely developed into a great player.”

He's at least developed into a lineman his coaches now trust.

All signs point to left guard being his home and despite the presence of the heralded Isaiah Wilson, Allen is expected to man the starting job at the position in next week’s opener against Appalachian State.

“I’m glad I’ve been able to get that experience as far as working at different positions, like working technique at right tackle or right guard, wherever Coach needs me to be,” Allen said. “But I feel good at left guard. I really do.”