Trippi hit .464, back in 1946, which still stands as a Georgia single season record. I made a run at him, my senior season in 1982, hitting .447. I got hot at the end of that season and padded the numbers some, so Mr. Trippi's record was safe. 

   It was so awesome to be recognized though. As I told the crowd, it was an honor to wear the Georgia uniform and play in the SEC. And I played with some awesome guys: Glen Davis, Jeff Treadway, Peyton Mosher, David Lanning, Joe Stewart, Jeff Pyburn, Rick Fuentes and Mike Wirth. 

   My college dreams came true. Coach Dooley allowed me to play baseball all 4 years and lived up to his word, during the recruiting process. Teammates in both football and baseball understood and supported my two-sport plan. I'll always be grateful. And man, it was fun.

   

   The O-Line was impressive. And that's huge. If the 'Dogs are going to be a Top 10 team this season, the O-Line is going to have to step up and perform. Lot of new faces up front. 

  Gates looked strong at left tackle. I was impressed. Thought maybe his feet weren't quick enough to slide him outside in this league, but he looks like the real deal. Kenarious has taken a big step forward. Looks ready for that challenge.

   Kolton Houston looked solid at right tackle. Real athletic. A big guy that can move. Run block and pass block. He really looked like he belongs at that spot. 

   Inside it was Dallas Lee, David Andrews and Chris Burnette. They worked well with each other. Got those 2nd level, combo/zone blocks done consistently. 

   Plus, the two tight-ends can block too. Both Arthur Lynch and Jay Rome can play. Might see more 2-TE sets and run plays this season.

   Anyway, the O-Line situation is encouraging. Not saying it looks like Alabama's, but Gates and Houston look for real. 

   Right now, in the #1 huddle: Gates, Houston, Andrews, Burnette, and Austin Long. 

   Sounds like Kenarious Gates has plans of delivering at left tackle. That'd be huge. I was concerned with his feet, on the outside (not quick enough to handle those speed rushers), but Gates is stepping up so far. He is a mountain of a man, at 6'5, 330 pounds. And he has game experience. Stay tuned. 

   On the other side, Austin Long is holding up so far. This guy hit campus with an awesome resume', but injuries have wrecked his first 3 years at Georgia. Cross your fingers and hope he can stay healthy, because he has the talent and skill to deliver. 

   Keep hearing about how special David Andrews is at center. I'm now a fan. Andrews has kicked butt in the strength program and is determined to take over for Jones at center. He's a little light, but if he can play...turn him loose.

   Houston and Burnette at guard gives the O-Line some versatility. Both these guys can move. Example: pulling on sweep, or blocking out on edge, on a screen pass. 

   Sure hope this unit comes together by September. Lot of work to get done, between now and then.  

   Corey Moore, a soph. from Griffin, is suddenly looking like the starter at FS, with Rambo back in trouble. But don't panic. Moore is starting to come on strong!

   Richt: Corey is more confident this spring. He's strong, tough and physical. Has that strike you ability. Athletic. And finally: He'll be ready. 

   That starting to come on comment is predictable. For most guys, the first year is a blur. It's mostly about survival. After a full year in the program, that mindset changes. You're more comfortable with everything. You know the scheme. You know the players & coaches. Things slow down. You know what to expect. 

   The other compliments on Corey Moore are encouraging. Those traits of being strong, tough, physical and athletic sound like a good safety. 

   That "he'll be ready" statement is huge. The 'Dogs need Corey Moore to be good. That secondary is razor thin. 

   Corey Moore looks like the next man up at FS. The young man from Griffin arrived on campus with an excellent reputation. He has the skills to play corner too. Corey has had a year to get comfortable with the Grantham system. He played in 12 games last season, as a freshman. 

   At ILB, the 'Dogs are in good shape, with Mike Gilliard and Christian Robinson returning. Amarlo Herrera would be the top back-up. Amarlo emerged as a guy Grantham could count on last season. As a true freshman, Herrera appeared in every game and made 8 starts. He's a tough tackler. 

   

   Malcolm will be getting reps at CB, back where he flourished as a HS junior in Valdosta. The plan is to let him focus on learning Grantham's defense. Will he return to WR in the fall? Looks like he'll accept a dual role, at least early in the season.

   Get ready for the next Champ Bailey. 

   The 'Dogs appear loaded at WR, where King, Brown, Bennett, Conley, Wooten and Justin Scott-Wesley will be available. Murray has plenty of weapons. But right now at CB, only Damian Swann is left as a legitimate starter. Enter Malcolm Mitchell.

   Mitchell is a guy that Grantham is looking forward to plugging in. He's long, tall and talented. A playmaker. And he can match up on the bigger WR's. 

   Bobo might not be getting him back. I could see Malcolm making enough big plays, playing behind that pass rush, that he ends up making the transition almost full-time. Could develop into a 1st round draft pick. Stay tuned.

   Here's my prediction, pre-spring...Malcolm quickly becomes a valuable part of Grantham's defense and becomes one of CF's most versatile players. 

   When the first team offense huddles up for the first play of the spring, I'm wondering what 5 dudes will be in there representing the O-line? Or the better question is this: What 5 guys will emerge from G-Day looking like starters for 2012?

   Basically, there are 11 big dudes competing for 7 spots (5 starters and 2 back-ups). 

   The educated guess here believes that Kenarious Gates will huddle up first at left tackle. Austin Long or Watts Dantzler will get the first looks at RT. Dallas Lee and Kolton Houston are at guard. Chris Burnette will cross-train at guard and center. It sounds like David Andrews will get a good, long look at center. JC transfer Mark Beard cross-trains at guard and tackle. Hunter Long is another young guy that'll get a look. That's 9 guys that are in the mix.

   Sure hope to see RF Xzavier Ward mixing it up too. I've had several former OL I respect tell me how much they liked Ward in HS at Colquitt County...great combination of strength and quickness. He'll be coming off knee surgery. Zach Debell is another RF OL to check out. 

   So, that's 11 dudes who will get a look this spring. Coach Bobo and Coach Friend are looking for the best 5 guys. 

   Nkemdiche is a monster D-lineman. At Grayson, in their state championship season, they put him at RB and gave him the ball too. He was automatic in short-yardage and goal-line situations. He was just running over guys. 

   Robert is a granite-like, 6'5 and 275 pounds. I got to see him in person, during the state playoffs. He appears to be cut out of stone. Rock-solid, but also an impressive athlete. Not your normal big dude. He can move. 

   Anyway, Coach Richt has reportedly told him he can play RB at Georgia, as well as lining up at DE. Good move. Roll out the red carpet for this guy! Appeal to his desires. Sell him on that short-yardage, goal-line role! The 'Dogs obviously need help there. 

   Nkemdiche met with Grantham and "liked" what he heard. Says he'll continue to consider Georgia. The only other visit he's gone on is to Alabama. He'll also look at LSU, FSU, Florida, Oregon and Ole Miss (where his older brother plays). 

   The 'Dogs got a good break, by getting him into to Athens early in the process. Don't want to play from behind on this guy. It was important to get up top. But there is a lot of work to do with him. He'll hear every promise in the book. 

   But it doesn't look to me like Ramsey will be coming off his commitment to Georgia. 

   Coach Bobo got into Camden County first. Spent an entire day there studying video and then, observing spring practice. Mike formed an immediate relationship with Brice, before these other schools even knew that this young man could play. That's big, in this case...because trust will be a huge factor with the Ramsey family. More on that in a moment.

   Brice attended a 'Dogs summer camp last year, committed on the spot and started recruiting some playmakers. He's close with Goose Creek, SC WR Tramel Terry and got him to commit. He worked on Yulee, FL RB Derrick Henry and get him to commit. He also got close to 'Dogs new signee John Theus, who just signed a couple of weeks ago. 

   Even if Brice is impressed, after visiting Alabama in the coming weeks, not sure how you go back on what's already taken place. And before you slam the kid for visiting Alabama think about this... he's probably just interested in seeing the program. I was the same way, when I visited Bear Bryant. Curious about their success, not interested in signing with them. And it's nice to have something to compare Georgia to. 

   Here is what Coach Bobo and Richt have to sell: 1- a track record of success for QBs at Georgia and the NFL (Stafford, Greene, Shockley), 2- opportunity to stay close to roots & compete for title, and 3- chance to play early (Murray probably exits after this season).

   The Tide can only brag about 1 of those 3 factors (play for a title).

   Now, back to the trust factor.

   Brice Ramsey's Dad is a Navy sailor, who is being transferred out at the end of this year, for 3 years. So, Brice's Dad, Mom and sister will be moving. Maybe overseas. Maybe to the west coast. Mom is already on record about the trust factor. Got to leave him with people they trust. This is a huge factor in this process.

   Coach Saban is playing a game of catch-up. Richt and Bobo have already established trust. The final issue with Georgia will be Richt getting that contract extension. 

   Just watched Brice Ramsey's highlight tape. Camden County runs a Wing-T attack, which has been tweaked, in order to take advantage of Ramsey's ability to throw it. I was impressed. He has a natural throwing motion. Throws the deep ball impressively. Can move around comfortably. Brice only has 1 full season of competition under his belt, so he will continue to improve this coming season. The sky is the limit. Right now, he's 6'3" and 195. 

   You'll be hearing a lot about Robert Nkemdiche (Grayson) and Reuben Foster (LaGrange), in the coming months. But Brice Ramsey is #3 on the state of Georgia's top-rated players list. 

    

   Word on the street says that Richt is close to offering Mario Alford. Probably need to jump on this one. This guy can play. He's a former HS QB, who won the Georgia state 100M, with a 10.77. Just watched his highlight reel from this season at Georgia Military JC, where he played WR and had a number of explosive plays. He can fly. And he looked like a football player, not just a track guy.

   Why was he at Georgia Military? Reportedly, he was a late qualifier. But he's qualified now and would have 3 years of eligibility remaining. 

   Take a look at the highlight reel. It's impressive. He took a lot of those hitch routes to the house. 

   With the lack of depth at CB, it might be foolish to allow Branden Smith to return kicks this season. Alford looks like a candidate for that role. Wonder if he could play corner? Anyway, Richt needs to sign this guy up, if he clears the background check. The 'Dogs have room and this guy can play.