State of the offensive line

We started out our in-depth series looking at each individual position group by examining Georgia’s running backs, which despite the loss of Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, still looks to be one of the Bulldogs’ strengths this fall.

Today, let’s take a look at the offensive line.

In just two years, Kirby Smart and offensive line coach Sam Pittman have transferred this unit into what looks to be a potential powerhouse.

When last season began, Georgia’s offensive line may have been the biggest question mark regarding the Bulldogs’ 2017 squad.

With three new starters, a first-time center in Lamont Gaillard, there were many who feared the unit would be a weakness.

Boy, were they wrong.

Isaiah Wynn may not have been the biggest left tackle in the SEC, but he was one of the most effective, allowing just one sack the entire year.

Of course, he had plenty of help. Freshman Andrew Thomas had some early bumps but served the Bulldogs well at right tackle, while Kendall Baker seemingly came out of nowhere to become the starter at left guard, starting all but the opener against Appalachian State.

Gaillard became a stalwart at center, while redshirt freshman Ben Cleveland was inserted into the starting lineup in Week 11 against Kentucky and never looked back.

For the first time in years, depth wasn’t a problem. During the course of the season, Pat Allen, Dyshon Sims and Solomon Kindley also started at various times.

It’s a bit more difficult to quantify individual success when it comes to the success enjoyed by offensive linemen, so we’ll go with what in my mind was an obvious choice.

Although there were certainly a number of efforts to choose from, we’ll use the Rose Bowl as the greatest example of how good Georgia’s offensive line actually was in 2017.

Wynn, Gaillard and company made the defensive front of the Big 12 champs look like a kindergarten corps as the Bulldogs piled up 527 yards of total offense, including 317 on the ground.

Overall, it was just a dominating effort by Georgia, which used the win to propel itself into the national championship against Alabama.

As we roll through this particular series, don’t be surprised if we harken back to Georgia’s 42-17 loss to Auburn more than a few times.

We mentioned last time how Georgia only rushed for 46 yards, but in this game, pass protection was also an issue.

The Tigers sacked Jake Fromm four times, as it was otherwise just a miserable day all the way around for the Georgia offense – the offensive line included.

The biggest departure will be Wynn, who despite being one of the smaller left tackle in the SEC, coupled his great strength and technique to become one of the best at his position in the SEC.

He followed that up with an outstanding week at the Senior Bowl, an effort which some NFL draft experts believe could bump him up to late in the first round.

Otherwise, the only other scholarship players who won’t be part of the offensive line this fall will be Dyshon Sims, who graduated, and Sage Hardin, who gave up the sport due to injury.

We can go on a while here, as Georgia’s incoming class of offensive linemen – at least on paper – could really be something to watch.

For purposes of this story, we’ll start with a pair of five-star prospects. Jamaree Salyer, regarded as the No. 1 offensive guard by Rivals, could actually play a number of positions – he’s that good.

Ditto for Cade Mays. Pittman revealed before the Rose Bowl that Mayes and redshirt freshman Isaiah Wilson will battle for the starting job at right tackle. That's high praise for an incoming freshman.

Newcomer Trey Hill – like Mays – is an early enrollee and will get along look at guard, and perhaps center, this spring.

Warren Erickson is a former four-star recruit who is already on campus, while 6-foot-7 Owen Condon is a likely redshirt but coaches expect him to develop into a contributor down the road.

Obviously, nothing is set in stone, but Andrew Thomas at left tackle certainly appears to be about as close to a guarantee as you can get.

The former Pace standout was moved to the left side from right tackle immediately after the national championship, and barring something totally unforeseen, will be the man at the position for the season-opener against Austin Peay.

Gaillard will start for the second straight year at center, with Cleveland expected to hang onto his starting job at right guard.

Left guard will probably be the most interesting position to watch.

Baker did an excellent job last year in his first season as a starter, but if Salyer is as good as we think he is, he’ll be tough to keep off the field.

We’ve mentioned it appears either Wilson or Mays will be the new right tackle for 2018, all but assuring Georgia’s it’s most physically intimidating offensive line as the Bulldogs have had in recent memory.

These are fun times for Pittman.

Tailbacks: https://uga.rivals.com/news/state-of-the-program-part-1