2010 Spring Outlook
WIDE RECEIVERS
OFFENSIVE LINE
One of the nation’s premier receivers returns in A.J. Green (6-4, 207, Jr.) who led the team in ’09 with 53 receptions for 808 yards and six TD’s. He was a consensus All-SEC first team selection for the second year in a row and has established himself as a Biletnikoff Award candidate for 2010 with a knack for making big catches at critical times in important games. He’ll have help from returning starter Tavarres King (6-1, 180, RSo.) who posted 18 catches for 377 yards (an average of 20.9 yards per catch) and one TD. Four other returning lettermen will also figure into the receiving rotation: Israel Troupe (6-1, 215, Jr.), Rantavious A. J. Green Wooten 5-10, 170, So.), Marlon Brown (6-5, 200, So.), and Kris Durham (6-5, 209, Sr.), who returns after missing ’09 with an injury.
With all five starters and eight lettermen returning, the offensive line should be a strength of the team. OT Clint Boling (6-5, 304, Sr.), All-SEC first team in ’09; OT Justin Anderson (6-5, 330, Jr.); OG Chris Davis (6-4, 295, Sr.); OG Cordy Glenn (6-5, 328, Jr.); and C Ben Jones (6-3, 300, Jr.) represent the entire starting unit along with OT Josh Davis (6-6, 300, Sr.), who earned a starting spot the last part of the season. OG Tanner Strickland (6-5, 328, Jr.), who is coming off a redshirt year due to injury, will be returning for the fall along with OT Trinton Sturdivant (65, 306, Jr.). Sturdivant started as a true freshman in ’07 but has
TIGHT ENDS
missed the last two seasons with knee injuries. The offensive line will also have competing in the spring A.J. Harmon (6-5, 310, RSo.), Chris Burnette (6-2, 290, RFr.), Ben Harden (6-3, 300, Jr.), Jonathan Owens (6-4, 294, RSo.), Dallas Lee (6-4, 296, RFr.) and true freshman Kolton Houston (6-5, 270, Fr.), who enrolled in January, 2010. Austin Long (6-5, 295, RFr.), who missed all last year with an injury, will not be ready for spring but is expected to be ready for the fall.
Four returning lettermen should make this a strong point of the Bulldog attack. Aron White (6-4, 236, Jr.) had 12 starting assignments in ’09, recorded 13 catches for 198 yards and four TD, and was named the Most Outstanding Offensive Player in the 2009 Advocare V100 Independence Bowl after his two TD performance. Other lettermen returning include Orson Charles (6-3, 230, So.), the team’s third leading receiver in ’09 with 23 receptions for 374 yards and three TD’s; Arthur Lynch (6-5, 250, So.), who played in 11 games in ’09; and Bruce Figgins (6-4, 260, Jr.), who last out last year with an injury but played in 24 games in ’07 and ’08.
Aron White
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2010 Spring Media Guide
Clint Boling
DEFENSIVE LINE/LINEBACKERS
With the new 3-4 defensive scheme being implemented, the spring will be spent determining which players fit best in which positions. So early on here is a rundown of the players who will be competing for positions at linebacker and/or defensive line: Fairly certain to be playing at the linebacker positions will be returning starter Darryl Gamble (6-2, 250, Sr.) and co-starters Marcus Dowtin (6-2, 220, Jr.) and Akeem Dent (6-2, 233, Sr.). Gamble started 11 games in ‘09 and recorded 47 total tackles. Dowtin started only four games but was the team’s third leading tackler with 57 total tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, two sacks, and six pass break-ups. Dent also started four games and recorded 32 tackles. Other likely linebackers include returning lettermen Nick Williams (6-2, 219, Jr.), Christian Robinson (6-2, 216, RSo.), and Michael Gilliard (6-2, 200, So.). Added to the mix will be converted tailback Richard Samuel (6-2, 222, Jr.), who was an outstanding high school linebacker, Akeem Hebron (6-1, 223, Sr.), and Chase Vasser (6-3, 215, RFr.). Returning lettermen that are likely to compete for time at the three downlineman positions include DeAngelo Tyson (6-2, 294,