Georgia Special Teams Looking to Fill Holes this Spring
The Georgia Bulldog’s special teams unit is lacking more depth than any other position on the roster this spring.
Related Story: Smart Era Begins with Controversial Transfer
While the quarterback competition for the Bulldogs is heating up, so is another competition in a less popular, but important nonetheless, unit for the team. As spring practice nears the halfway mark on the road to G-Day, the special teams competition is as important as any other area for Georgia.
Senior place-kicker Marshall Morgan, punter Colin Barber, and long snapper Nathan Theus are not eligible for another season with the team, and with their departure comes absences in three vital positions for the special teams unit.
Kirby Smart is now faced with a competition among his players, and no scholarship kicker on the current roster signifies a wide open race.
The two players competing this spring, specifically to replace Morgan, include redshirt freshman Rodrigo Blankenship and walk-on William Ham.
Blankenship joined the team last fall and, although he competed for a spot at place-kicker or punter early on, was redshirted behind Morgan and Barber, his veteran teammates. This year, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl alumni has a shot at both positions, especially place-kicker. During his senior season, Blankenship’s long for field goal attempts was 56 yards.
More from Georgia Bulldogs News
- Nick Chubb is America’s running back, and he will return
- Georgia Football: Report cards for Week 3 game against South Carolina
- Georgia Football: The AFCA Coaches Poll ranks Dawgs #1
- Top 5 SEC Stadiums according to a Georgia fan
- Georgia Football: Heavy favorites in SEC Football Media Poll
His counterpart William Ham is no stranger to the Bulldogs. Ham walked on two years ago before leaving the team last season. He re-joined the Bulldogs this January and could be a serious contender this upcoming season after two years struggling to make his presence known.
The other player, who is less talked about for his kicking skills and more considered a contender for the quarterback competition, is Brice Ramsey. Ramsey took over the majority of the punting responsibilities last fall after Barber struggled during the latter half of the season. Although he’s balancing his commitment as a scholarship quarterback, Ramsey playing in both positions come G-Day or even the regular season would not come as a shock, especially if he falls behind veteran Greyson Lambert and newcomer Jacob Eason in the quarterback race. If anyone were to contend his starting position, it would be incoming freshman and scholarship punter Marshall Long.
Long snapper duties will likely fall into more familiar hands. Trent Frix, John Courson, and Hudson Reynolds are listed on the roster, but Frix, who is the younger brother of former Bulldog long snapper Ty Frix, is presumed by most as the successor to Nathan Theus.
The return game, barring any injuries, will fall into veteran hands as well. Isaiah McKenzie and Reggie Davis should be lined up downfield come fall as the punt returner and kick returner, respectively. Early enrollee Riley Ridley is seen as a potential return man for the team as well. Ridley has voluntarily worked with the return specialists during spring practice the past few weeks.
More from Dawn of the Dawg
- Georgia Football: Top 5 Nick Chubb Moments at Georgia
- Georgia Football: Know the enemy UAB Blazers
- Nick Chubb is America’s running back, and he will return
- Georgia Football: Should laundry list of injuries be a cause to panic?
- Georgia Football: Report cards for Week 3 game against South Carolina
Each of these special teams competitions will prove important as the team becomes more unified under its new coaching staff. The special teams game was vital to some wins for Georgia last season, and it will be as important, if not more, come September.
The other factor helping to push along these competitions is the presence of a new coach, specifically a special teams coordinator, in Shane Beamer, son of the recently retired Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer.
Previous head coach Mark Richt never employed a coach who would be completely in charge of special teams, but Smart was determined to make the change.
The Hokies were known for their special teams play under Beamer’s father. In fact, “Beamer Ball”, the old saying used to describe Virginia Tech’s success in the area, may become a saying if the hiring of the former long snapper specialist is a success on the field.
With G-Day fast approaching, fans may be excited to see who will line up under center for the Bulldogs, but success on special teams will be just as important for the Bulldogs if they want to have a chance at contending for the SEC East next fall.