Georgia Bulldogs Football: 5 positions to watch closely before season opener

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Tackle

Both the right and left tackle positions were a source of some pride and some frustration for Mark Richt last season. The inconsistency was the problem. There was a lot of position shuffling going on last season, and it’s not even clear if the right mix was ever truly found.

Returning senior Kolton Houston has to play better, there’s just no way around that. His 3-year layoff due to NCAA drug testing violations cost him a step or two obviously. Houston is a better player than the Dawgs saw last year, and hopefully with some game time under his belt and an actual full workout and practice schedule this year, he’ll be back up to snuff.

Junior John Theus is another tackle who seemed to take step back, looking more like a swinging gate than a blockade at times last season. He’ll have to return to his All-American form and become a much better pass protector for Mason.

There are some incoming freshman who could put a scare into both Houston and Theus, or possibly even supplant them. Dyshon Sims and Kendall Baker both have the tools to come in and start getting some reps, although Baker is more likely to be used as a guard.

Bottom line: Houston and Theus have to produce. They’re going to have to be leaders with all the young players sitting behind them, and repeats of some of last year’s poor play will get them benched in a hurry with more depth available.