UGA football roster: Warren McClendon in a tight battle at right tackle

One of the open spots on the UGA football offensive line is left tackle. Several players are battling for the spot including redshirt freshman Warren McClendon.

The most important position on the offensive line (with right-handed quarterbacks) is left tackle. Their job is to protect the quarterback’s blindside from edge-rushing defenders. If you’re allowed one weak spot on the offensive line, this is not the position you want to be weak at.

That rings especially true for UGA football this season. The Bulldogs are replacing four full-time starters on the offensive line, as well as new starters at tight end, running back and quarterback. Georgia needs a player who can not only fill the left tackle role but excel at it as well.

Fortunately, there’s a redshirt freshman on the roster who’s been progressing quickly since enrolling early in 2019. That lineman is Warren McClendon, a four-star offensive tackle ranked No. 227 in the 2019 class. Having enrolled early in 2019, McClendon had the benefit of working alongside some of Georgia’s greatest linemen ever for an entire calendar year. That experience can’t be overstated.

McClendon’s closest competition is Xavier Truss. Both are redshirt freshmen, 247Sports Composite ranked Truss one spot ahead of McClendon in their offensive tackle rankings, but, McClendon enrolled early, whereas Truss arrived in June. Both linemen impressed coaches last season, but face very stiff competition from a very talented duo of true freshmen this season.

At 6-4 and 320 lbs., the Brunswick, Ga. native could become Georgia’s utility lineman if things don’t work out at left-tackle. His frame translates well to either guard position, and he’s quick enough to fill in at center if he needs to. The Bulldogs desperately needs a solid left tackle this season so that’s where McClendon is going to work for the time being.