Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Georgia Bulldogs: Who Will Step In At Fullback In 2011?

In the excitement for what should be a tremendous signing day for the Georgia Bulldogs, there seems to be one question that has yet to be answered—who will take over the starting position at fullback?

Both Shaun Chapas and Fred Munzenmaier are gone, leaving a huge void at a position that has historically been very important at Georgia—particularly where the running game is concerned. Is there a guy who has the ability to block, run, catch, and bulldoze his way into the endzone from inside the five—as needed?

The natural candidate, of course, has to be Bruce Figgins.

Georgia has an embarrassment of riches at the tight end position and with Jay Rome entering a depth chart that already includes Orson Charles, Aron White, and Arthur Lynch, Figgins will need to move to another spot if he expects to see the field at all this season.

If he does, he's definitely has the most potential of the guys currently on Georgia's roster. He's spent a lot of time in this offense, and has always been a stellar blocker. His pass-catching skills won't leave you in awe, but he's definitely capable of making a play or two if needed.

He would be choice number one, in my opinion, and I expect to see him making a go of it this spring. 

Aside from him, there is Alexander 'Zander' Ogletree, a 2010 special teams stand-out. He played the position in high school and has a frame similar to that of former fullback Jeremy Thomas. However, it remains to be seen if he has the ability to do more than just be a lead blocker. Can he catch the ball, is he capable of running with it in a short-yardage situation? Can he run routes, if needed, and make a play 8-10 yards downfield?

These are all questions that need to be explored in his case because none of us have seen him outside of special teams.

It will be interesting to see what Georgia does at fullback in 2011 because it cannot be overstated enjust how important that spot has been during coach Richt's tenure. He's been blessed to find talents like Verron Haynes (walk-on), J.T. Wall (walk-on), Brannan Southerland, and Shaun Chapas over the years, but this season there is no one waiting in the wings to become "that guy" and that has to be cause for some concern.

What say you?



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