Dawn of the Dawg
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Georgia football: sophomores who may emerge as stars in 2017

By Kyle Funderburk

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 3: Georgia football running back Brian Herrien carries the ball for a 19 yard touchdown against the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Georgia Dome on September 3, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 3: Georgia football running back Brian Herrien carries the ball for a 19 yard touchdown against the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Georgia Dome on September 3, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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ATHENS, GA – NOVEMBER 19: Offensive lineman Max Jean-Gilles #74 and Russ Tanner #50 of the Georgia Bulldogs wait for the signal from quarterback D.J. Shockley #3 against the Kentucky Wildcats at Sanford Stadium on November 19, 2005 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA – NOVEMBER 19: Offensive lineman Max Jean-Gilles #74 and Russ Tanner #50 of the Georgia Bulldogs wait for the signal from quarterback D.J. Shockley #3 against the Kentucky Wildcats at Sanford Stadium on November 19, 2005 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) /

Ben Cleveland

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Ben Cleveland came to Athens from Stephens County High School with a lot of hype last year. He was the no. 97 player and the no. 11 offensive tackle in America. Cleveland was hyped as the cornerstone of Georgia’s next great offensive line.

Cleveland built a strong friendship with Eason after they both committed to Georgia. They were a match made in heaven, a quarterback and his blocker.

But last season, Georgia fielded one of the most abysmal lines in the SEC and Cleveland was on the sidelines the whole time. Maybe he wasn’t good enough, or maybe his freshman season was being saved for when more linemen enrolled.

Georgia brought in five offensive linemen in this past recruiting class to build around Cleveland and the returning linemen.

As a redshirt freshman, Cleveland might not start until later in the season if he starts this year at all. But if he’s as good as the recruiting sites say he is, he’ll earn his fair share of playing time this season.

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