Georgia Football: Offensive Guards to watch this spring

Netori Johnson, Redshirt Freshman

Johnson is the closest thing to an enigma in this entire group. Yes, Hill and Ericson just arrived on campus, but Johnson never stepped up in the way that some including myself expected him to in 2017. Considered by many to be one of the top 6 guards in the country that year, I really thought that he would come in and win a spot pretty early. But that never happened and Johnson red-shirted his first year in Athens.

There were a few reasons for that. Firstly, Johnson arrived in summer camp very late. It’s never easy to catch up when you’re already behind. Then he was diagnosed with diabetes which caused him some physical issues until he fully got it under control. There have also been some rumors that Johnson, like many highly rated freshmen who don’t play early had some attitude problems at times. That led to him not dressing up for some games.

Now I’m not one to make excuses for players, but that does sound like a bad year for an 18 year old kid. The fact remains however, that he’s a very talented player and probably the most athletic guard in camp this spring. That gives him the chance to reset and push for time this spring and he’s going to need to. With the likes of Hill, Ericson and Salyer, Johnson needs to stake his claim for a place right now.

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Johnson is the most intriguing player of this group in my eyes. He’s the player who just physically looks like a left guard. He will also have the fire of young players breathing down his neck to encourage him to step up. If we don’t see that happen now, then it might never in Athens. That’s why he’s the guard I’ll be watching most closely this spring. The next few months are key for Johnson and I for one haven’t given up on him yet.