Georgia head coach Kirby Smart is confident in the Bulldogs’ offensive line depth as the season opener versus UT Martin approaches.
Starters Xavier Truss (left guard), Sedrick Van Pran (center) and Tate Ratledge (right guard) return as one of the most productive interior groups in the country.
Junior Amarius Mims and redshirt freshman Earnest Greene are expected to fill in open spots at offensive tackle after the departure of Broderick Jones and Warren McClendon to the NFL.
Smart mentioned two Bulldogs who have garnered praise for their efforts in fighting for a starting spot this offseason — redshirt sophomores Dylan Fairchild and Micah Morris. Smart outlines what he has seen from Morris this spring.
Both Dylan and Micah have had tremendous spring and fall camps. Micah’s been a little dinged up, so he’s missed a few reps in and out, but he’s really significant on trap plays and pulling plays. He’s physical, he doesn’t shy away from contact, he gets movement. He needs to improve his stamina to be able play to the level of a starter consistently on every snap.
Morris came to Athens in the same class rated as the No. 14 offensive tackle in the nation.
Kirby Smart also went into depth about what he has seen from Dylan Fairchild.
Dylan’s had a great camp. Dylan’s worked at tackle and guard, and he’s done a great job, he’s really physical. I think he’s kind of coming into his own, he’s one of our strongest weight room players, and you can see that taking effect with the offensive line. I look at those two guys as starters – they can play in their role with those other guys.
Fairchild, a former state champion wrestler, was rated as the No. 2 interior offensive lineman in the country in the 2021 recruiting class, per 247Sports.
While Georgia’s starting five seems to be set for the 2023 season, the Bulldogs can feel good with players like Fairchild and Morris waiting in the wings.
