Georgia football: Players who may have multiple roles on the 2017 team

Georgia football is home to some of the best athletes in the nation. Some of which are capable of staring at more than just one position.

Some of the greatest Bulldogs in Georgia football history excelled in multiple positions. Heisman winner Frank Sinkwich was a punter, passer and Georgia’s main running back in his two years of varsity ball.

Champ Bailey played both ways in the mid-1990’s and had several games in which he was on the field for over 100 plays. Bailey was also a kick returner. Teammate Hines Ward played quarterback, running back and receiver.

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Fans watched Brandon Boykin and Branden Smith play corner and kick returner. But both of their biggest plays might have been on offense. Boykin had an 80-yard run against Boise State in 2011. Smith took and end-around reverse for a touchdown against South Carolina and ran a long touchdown out of the wildcat against Tennessee Tech in 2009.

Most recently, Georgia had Isaiah McKenzie end his career as the best return man in school history and lead Georgia in receiving last season.

Some players are so good that they deserve playing time at multiple positions. The 2017 Georgia football team has several players that fit that description. One such player is Sony Michel who has gone underutilized and underappreciated in his time at Georgia.

Initially, former offensive coordinator Mike Bobo had Michel play all over the field. He lined up at wide receiver several times before getting injured as a freshman. He showed how capable he was as a receiver against South Carolina when he took an inside screen for a long touchdown. Since then, he’s made other plays with his hands downfield, but it’s been on routes out of the backfield.

Brian Schottenheimer and Jim Chaney both only used him as a running back. And while as a tailback he’s one of the best in the nation, he is still underutilized. Michel is just too good to always be on the sidelines when Nick Chubb is on the field.

Mecole Hardman and Ahkil Crumpton

A pair of players who will play similar roles are Mecole Hardman and Akhil Crumpton. Both have McKenzie’s skill set to go with his size and athleticism. So both will lineup mostly in the slot on offense and will both return kicks.

Last year Georgia used two different return men for punts and kickoffs, understandable for how dangerous both positions are. It’s likely that Hardman or Crumpton will return punts while the other returns kickoffs.

However, Hardman is a converted defensive back and Georgia was more impressed with him as a corner back coming out of high school. Why not have him play both ways if he can?

Because of Crumpton, Terry Godwin and the newcomers at receiver for Georgia, Hardman won’t play a full game there already. And if Georgia needs another player to contribute as a defensive back, Hardman is available. Plus he already wears the no. 4, so he can follow in Champ Bailey’s footsteps.

Charlie Woerner

Another pass catcher capable of playing multiple positions is Woerner who lined up as a wide receiver in high school. Georgia has three other tight ends who are really good so there’s no need for Woerner to play the position exclusively.

Plus, having him play out wide will give Georgia a great blocker for sweeps and screens. Imagine Michel running an inside screen and Woerner pancaking a defender to give Michel an open lane to run.

Next: The status of 2017 signees Robert Beal and Devonte Wyatt

Aaron Davis

This one goes without saying because Davis is already used at multiple positions. He started his time at Georgia as a corner back, but he’s played safety lately and will likely start there. However, he also backed-up Maurice Smith at the star position. Georgia will use Davis as a safety, corner and star again this year.