Today, we shift gears on our fall camp preview by taking a look at Georgia’s offensive line, what it looks like for the upcoming season, and beyond.
As usual, there’s no shortage of talent.
STATE OF THE OFFENSIVE LINE
Scholarship Players (remaining eligibility, including this season): Dylan Fairchild (three), Jared Wilson (three), Micah Morris (three), Austin Blaske (two), Sedrick Van Pran (two), Amarius Mims (two), Aliou Bah (four), Tate Ratledge (three; has a Covid year), Joshua Miller (four), Monroe Freeling (four), Earnest Greene Jr (four), Xavier Truss (one), Drew Bobo (four), Chad Lindberg (two), Jamal Meriweather (four), Kelton Smith (four), Johnathan Hughley (four)
Average Rivals Rating: 5.82
Average Rivals Star Rating: 3.9
Who's committed: Marcus Easley (2023), Nyler Daniels (2023), Daniel Calhoun (2023), Michael Uini (2023), Marcus Harrison (2023), Malichi Tolliver (2023), Micah DeBose (2025)
OUTLOOK FOR 2023
We’ll begin with the returning starters.
Center Sedrick Van Pran, right guard Tate Ratledge, and left guard Xavier Truss are all back, ensuring that Georgia’s interior offensive line should be as good as ever.
Talented, smart, experienced, and tough, this trio has the potential to be as good as any three at their positions in the SEC.
However, there are two spots to fill.
Both tackle positions will have new starters after right tackle Warren McClendon and left tackle Broderick Jones are off to the NFL.
The names you hear most likely to replace the duo are junior Amarius Mims and redshirt freshman Earnest Greene III. Both players are expected to train at both positions, although we expect Mims to remain at right tackle with Greene groomed at left.
Another name to keep an eye out for is junior Austin Blaske, the most versatile lineman at Searels’ disposal.
Blaske, who will challenge Greene for the starting job at left tackle, can play all five positions. Although he’s expected to be the top backup at center behind Van Pran, don't be surprised if he’s asked to slide out to tackle if need be.
Among the returnees to keep an eye on, Micah Morris is a road grader who can slide in at either of the two guard spots, especially if Truss were to see time at tackle.
Other returnees, including Dylan Fairchild, Chad Lindberg, and Jared Wilson, will also be jockeying for positions. But keep an eye on early enrollee Monroe Freeling, who received a head start on the rest of the freshmen at his position by taking part in spring drills.
OUTLOOK BEYOND 2023
It’s already been a busy year on the recruiting trail for Searels.
Georgia already has six verbal commitments from offensive linemen, led by Walton High’s Daniel Calhoun, who at 6-6 and 330 pounds, figures to get looks at both right and left tackle once he arrives on campus. Calhoun is the Bulldogs’ highest-ranked offensive line commit, currently sitting as the nation’s No. 71 overall prospect.
He’s not the only commitment with some serious size.
Searels added a couple more four-star skyscrapers in Marques Easley (6-7, 315) and Michael Uni (6-8, 325).
The two will join a trio of three-stars in Nyier Daniels (6-8, 353), Marcus Harrison (6-8, 335), and Malachi Toliver (6-6, 295), giving Georgia what Searels no doubt hopes will form the cores of Bulldog offensive lines in the years to come.
Georgia also has a commitment for 2025 in the person of four-star Micah DeBose (6-5, 315)
