ESPN College Football

Checking out the goings on in the SEC.

• South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore is coming to grips with his devastating knee injury.
• Vanderbilt wide receiver Jordan Matthews is making a name for himself.
• Arkansas defensive end Tenarius Wright is back to help the Hogs' defense.
• Alabama is passing just enough this season to throw off opposing defenses.
• Tennessee coach Derek Dooley wants a reality check when it comes to quarterback Tyler Bray's thumb.
• Kevin Scarbinsky of The Birmingham News wonders if 2010 or 2011 will define Auburn coach Gene Chizik.
• Injuries are cutting into Kentucky's defense.
• Despite Florida's record, offensive coordinator Charlie Weis doesn't see the Gators as a 5-5 team.
• Wide receivers coach Gunter Brewer will handle recruiting and player relations for Ole Miss after the regular season and until a new coach is hired.
• Georgia offensive tackle Trinton Sturdivant could be honored with the Bulldogs' seniors Saturday, but he still hasn't decided if he will try and return for another season next fall.
• Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen is looking for answers for the Bulldogs' kicking woes.
• LSU linebacker Kevin Minter's progress is evident with his play thus far.

Today, we take one last look at the sights and sounds of SEC media days. There was so much information, yet so little time to really process it all. We at the SEC blog have come up with a few things that we learned from our time in Hoover, Ala., and what questions still remain in the nation's top college football conference.

What we learned:

1. Mike Slive pushes radical change: The SEC's commissioner has a résumé that few would question, but he raised some eyebrows and garnered mixed reviews in Hoover when he discussed his "agenda to stimulate a national discussion, an agenda for change." Slive talked about raising the academic entrance requirements for incoming freshmen and would like to offer cost-of-education scholarships and make scholarships four-year contracts, instead of the current one-year setup. Slive also wants coaches to be able to text recruits and contact them via social media, and he also promoted earlier official visits for recruits.

2. Spurrier got his swag back: Steve Spurrier has always been confident and witty, but the swagger that he had while at Florida appeared to be back this year. After guiding South Carolina to its first SEC title game, Spurrier believes he has the best team he’s had during his tenure at South Carolina. “We feel like we've probably assembled the best group of players we've had in the seven years now that I've been there,” he said. “But time will tell.” There is a lot of hype in Columbia, and Spurrier understands the Gamecocks are the team to beat in the East.

3. Gene Chizik isn’t budging on the NCAA investigation: No matter how many times (nine) the NCAA’s investigation was brought up with Chizik, he wasn’t budging. He discussed his testy interaction with NCAA enforcement director Julie Roe Lach at the SEC meetings in Destin, but when asked directly about Cam Newton and the NCAA’s continued investigation, he continued to say that no wrongdoing has been found with Auburn and that when his head hits his pillow each night, he still sleeps well.

4. Jordan Jefferson is a changed man: LSU’s senior quarterback has been one of the more criticized players during his time in the SEC. He was near the bottom of the league in passing numbers last season, but with the arrival of new offensive coordinator Steve Kragthorpe, Jefferson has more confidence and had his best spring at LSU. His teammates see tighter passes, better pocket presence and even better leadership from him. Jefferson was also reportedly very sharp at the Manning Passing Academy this summer.

5. Petrino embracing expectations more than ever: The Razorbacks return one of the country’s most high-powered offenses, but what could really make this team dangerous this fall is its defense. Petrino has made it very clear that he has the best defense he’s had during his time at Arkansas and he welcomes the lofty expectations that have come. Arkansas might have to replace Ryan Mallett at quarterback and have a young offensive line, but Petrino bled confidence in Hoover.

Remaining questions:

1. Will the SEC make it six titles in a row?: Yet again, the SEC is loaded with talent, but will that cost the SEC a shot at a sixth straight national championship trip and victory? Alabama, LSU and Arkansas all have what it takes to win multiple championships this fall, but the round-robin schedule could leave each team with multiple losses. However, a two-loss SEC team has made the title trip before. Then there's the East, where the faith is in South Carolina. The Gamecocks have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, but can they keep up with one of those West teams in a return trip to Atlanta?

2. Will Auburn's drop-off be as steep as everyone thinks? The Tigers lost a slew of talent from its national championship team and there isn’t a lot of faith in Auburn this fall. Auburn returns just six starters. There is a lot of young talent at Auburn, but the inexperience has people severely overlooking the Tigers. “A lot of people in the media, they get misconstrued that being young is a lack of talent, and it’s not at Auburn,” defensive end Nosa Eguae said. “We have a lot of talent, and come Sept. 3, we’re looking to show off that talent on stage.”

3. Can Georgia's offensive line survive this season?: It hasn't been a great offseason for the Bulldogs’ offensive line, which is an injury away from being a major soft spot in Athens. Despite a devastating injury to Trinton Sturdivant and some attrition, coach Mark Richt said he isn't worried about the players he has now -- as long as they stay healthy. "I think it's fine if we don't get anybody hurt," Richt said. "We actually had a pretty good lineup." Expect a lot of cross-training up front.

4. Can South Carolina deal with the hype?: The Gamecocks will enter the season as the overwhelming favorite in the East, but can South Carolina live up to the expectations? Last season, after defeating No. 1 Alabama, the Gamecocks were upset by Kentucky. And they were blown out in their first SEC championship game. The confidence is running high in Columbia and players think this is a closer team in 2011. "We're more experienced and more confident," receiver Alshon Jeffery said. "Going into this season, we're more together and just one. This year, we are more prepared.”

5. How will the QBs fair? There are still a lot of questions surrounding quarterback battles around the league. Alabama might have the best team in the league, but youngsters A.J. McCarron and Phillip Sims are still fighting for the No. 1 spot. Jefferson might have improved this spring, but will that translate to real games this fall? Can Stephen Garcia stay out of trouble this fall? Vanderbilt’s Larry Smith has instilled confidence in his head coach, but he’ll still have to battle a pair of freshmen quarterbacks during preseason camp. Ole Miss and Auburn have three competing at camp and John Brantley has a lot to prove after a rough junior season at Florida.

HOOVER, Ala. -- Entering spring practice, Georgia's offensive line seemed like one of its strengths. Now, it's an injury away from being a major weakness for the Bulldogs.

Things started with a devastating ACL injury to veteran tackle Trinton Sturdivant and have continued with attrition, as tackles A.J. Harmon and Brent Benedict left the program.

Coach Mark Richt, who has plumped down onto a hotter seat in Athens this season, isn't worried about the players who have left or the Bulldogs' diminished depth. He insists he's fine with the bodies he has up front, as long as they are healthy.

"I'm not worried about the depth if nobody gets hurt," Richt said.

But in college football -- and especially the SEC -- that could be a pretty big "if."

Across the offensive line, the Bulldogs have a few veterans wedged in. Senior Ben Jones has the potential to win the Rimington Award -- presented to the nation's best center -- while converted tackle Cordy Glenn should hold up the left side fairly well. Sophomore Kenarious Gates is solid at left guard and the Bulldogs expect big things from Justin Anderson at right tackle.

Figuring out right guard is the next step. There are players to plug in, but inexperience is an issue.

So, the Bulldogs aren't insufficient when it comes to the big uglies, but Jones agreed that health is the main priority for this group.

"We've lost guys every year and that hurts as an offense because we're so close," Jones said. "Seeing one of your brothers go down, you're like, 'Man, what if that was me?' That really hurts you as a whole offensive line."

As the offensive line stands, Jones said he's pleased with the makeup. To him, there is more talent than people think and Jones is convinced right guard won't be an issue come the fall.

"We have a great offensive line," he said. "We have a lot of players who have played a lot of snaps.

"Our right guard, it could be anybody. We have five or six guys who could play right guard. The job is up for grabs and anybody could play it."

AUBURN: The defending national champion Tigers won't have to look far for motivation in 2011. They've heard from their own coaches all spring and all offseason that "all the good players are gone."

Not that anybody on the Plains really believes that, but it's made for some fierce competition on the practice field and in the weight room.

It's also driven the returning players to prove that the foundation of the Auburn football program remains rock-solid despite the departure of Cam Newton, Nick Fairley, Antoine Carter, Josh Bynes, Lee Ziemba, Darvin Adams and 30-some other players who were on the roster in Glendale, Ariz., in January.

"We lost some great players, no doubt," Auburn defensive end Nosa Eguae said. "But we have a lot of other talented players who've just been waiting for their shot. Nobody expected us to do what we did last year, so why would this year be any different?"

GEORGIA: It's no secret that Georgia's depth on the offensive line has taken a considerable hit.

It started with Trinton Sturdivant's third torn ACL in the spring and continued with A.J. Harmon and Brent Benedict both leaving the program.

Georgia coach Mark Richt, though, is more interested in who he will have this fall up front, and it's a unit that's anchored by a guy, Ben Jones, whom Richt calls the "best center in America."

Richt knew from the time Jones attended Georgia's football camp that the Bulldogs were getting a great one.

"We're doing a little pass-rush drill," Richt said. "He's just whooping everybody. Finally, I stepped in and said, 'Look, I want every defensive lineman to line up. One by one, I want you to go against Ben, play after play after play.

"After about I don't know how many, 10 or 12, he was finally exhausted and somebody beat him. But he's a fierce competitor. He's mean as a snake on the field, but he knows what he's doing. He's a great leader. He's a great football player. I'm glad we got him."

KENTUCKY: A year ago, it was the Randall Cobb Show at Kentucky with Derrick Locke, Chris Matthews and Mike Hartline all playing supporting roles.

This year, it might not be as flashy offensively for the Wildcats (unless you like the big guys up front), but they enter the 2011 season with one of the best and most experienced offensive lines in the league.

"Everybody knows that's where it starts … in your offensive line," said Kentucky junior quarterback Morgan Newton, who enters his first season as the full-time starter.

Stuart Hines and Larry Warford form perhaps the best guard tandem in the SEC, while center Matt Smith and left tackle Chandler Burden are also returning starters.

"We've all played together for two years now," Hines said. "We trust each other. We rely on each other, and we want it to be on our shoulders this year."

TENNESSEE: Quarterback Tyler Bray did a lot of things right last season as a true freshman.

He threw 16 touchdown passes while starting the final five games and led the Vols to a 4-1 record.

He also threw seven interceptions in his last three games and beat up on four teams (Memphis, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Kentucky) who won a combined 13 games.

Tennessee coach Derek Dooley is as anxious as anybody to see what kind of encore his strong-armed sophomore has and whether he's ready to enter the next stage as a quarterback.

"He's made a tremendous investment in getting better, having a better command of the offense, being able to make better decisions and putting our offense in better positions," Dooley said. "It's only going to come with experience."

Before the spring, Georgia would have put its offensive line up against just about anyone's in the SEC.

There was size, strength, experience, and most importantly, there was depth.

Now, as the season slowly draws near, the Bulldogs said goodbye to yet another lineman when redshirt freshman tackle Brent Benedict decided to leave the program Sunday for what coach Mark Richt said were personal reasons.

Benedict arrived at Georgia as a highly touted recruit, but he suffered a devastating knee injury during his season year of high school. Benedict not only tore his ACL but had nerve damage as well.

The injury cost Benedict his first season on campus, but he returned this spring expecting to push for time on Georgia's line. While Benedict had the potential to be a star for the Bulldogs, he struggled to move ahead in his playing progression this spring. He arrived as a tackle, but left spring as the backup right guard.

The 6-foot-5, 301-pound Benedict is the third offensive lineman that won't make it through the season for the Bulldogs. Senior tackle Trinton Sturdivant went down this spring after suffering his third ACL-related knee injury. Sturdivant, who started seven games last season, was battling converted guard Cordy Glenn for one of the tackle spots before his season-ending injury.

In May, junior tackle A.J. Harmon also transferred for personal reasons. Harmon competed for time at tackle during his first two years, playing in just seven career games.

The Bulldogs are left with a crippled offensive line. Heading into preseason, converted defensive lineman Justin Anderson is to start at right tackle opposite Glenn. Center Ben Jones is arguably the most reliable lineman the Bulldogs have, and Kenarious Gates, who started three games in 2010, is listed as the starting left guard. The young and inexperienced Chris Burnette is the starter at right guard.

Behind them, things don’t look much better. Offensive line coach Will Friend will have to accelerate the development of a handful of freshmen during preseason camp. One other option will be taking a look at moving Gates around to help with depth at tackle. This spring, Richt said that with Gates' athleticism, he could cross-train at tackle.

Kolton Houston and Dallas Lee are also options at guard, but Houston was a member of the scout team last season, while Lee played in just three games.

Sophomore Austin Long is listed as a tackle, but injuries have hurt his progression. Long had back surgery and missed the 2009 season. He was a member of the scout team last season and missed this spring after tearing a pectoral muscle in practice.

The Bulldogs signed six offensive linemen in the 2011 recruiting class and the staff will have to push these youngsters even more heading into the season. Three players that could come in and compete for time immediately are Watts Dantzler, Zach DeBell and Xzavier Ward, who are all expected to play tackle.

Even with the talent the Bulldogs possess on both sides of the ball, they are an offensive lineman injury away from having a rough 2011.

In a league that is won and lost at the line of scrimmage, teams have to have quality big men up front. The SEC doesn’t lack talent – or size and intimidation – in this category and returns a handful of quality linemen.

The thing about his league is that the youngsters and veterans seem to play at an equally high level up front at times. It feels like the talent around the SEC is maturing at much younger ages on the offensive line.

Here are some of the top performers we came up with on the offensive side the SEC trenches:

1. Barrett Jones, Alabama, Jr.: The junior has started 25 games at right guard for the Crimson Tide and is arguably the best run-blocker in the league. He’s also one of the team’s top leaders. The coaches trust him so much that with the vacancy left by James Carpenter at left tackle, Jones took snaps there this spring and could end up playing there permanently this fall.

2. Cordy Glenn, Georgia, Sr.: Glenn moved from guard and was competing with Trinton Sturdivant at both tackle spots. Even before Sturdivant’s devastating knee injury, he was poised to take the left tackle spot. The 6-foot-5, 320-pounder enters the season with 36 starts under his belt.

3. Bradley Sowell, Ole Miss, Sr.: Sowell looks primed to be an All-SEC performer this season. He’s started 24 of 25 games and has been an instrumental part in both Ole Miss’ passing and rushing game. He’s one of the more athletic tackles in the league and shouldn’t have an issue protecting the blind side of Ole Miss’ new quarterback.

4. Larry Warford, Kentucky, Jr.: He’s the best of a veteran group in Lexington. Warford, who was an All-SEC second team selection in 2010, has ideal athleticism to play inside and started every game for the Wildcats at right guard. He also led the team with 43 knockdowns.

5. William Vlachos, Alabama, Sr.: Vlachos is not only tops at the center position in the SEC, but he’s one of the best in the nation. He’s become one of the most vocal leaders for the Tide and brings a bit of an edge to the offensive line. He has started 27 straight games at center and could be a leading candidate for the Rimington Trophy.

6. Bobby Massie, Ole Miss, Jr.: He’s another candidate for All-SEC honors this fall. The athletic lineman has started 17 games at right tackle and should continue to be a chore for defensive ends and linebackers to get by. He’s starting to develop as more of a leader, which will be key for the Rebels as they break in a new quarterback.

7. Josh Dworaczky, LSU, Sr.: He started in all 13 games last season at left guard for the Tigers and has competed in 752 plays with 53 knockdowns. Dworaczky also played every offensive snap in nine games in 2010. For his career, he’s started in 26 of the 38 games he’s played in.

8. Alvin Bailey, Arkansas, So.: Bailey was a hit for the Razorbacks very early. He started as a true freshman and showed that he’ll be a star among the league's linemen because of the way he utilizes his size and strength. He’s one of only two starters returning on Arkansas’ line, but should be key in the Razorbacks’ inside running game.

9. Ja’Wuan James, Tennessee, So.: He’s another youngster who impressed during his first year on campus. The right tackle missed most of spring because of an illness, but he’ll be back to normal this fall. James was one of 10 Volunteers to start in every game and one of just four to see action in every single quarter

10. Brandon Mosley, Auburn, Sr.: Mosley arrived last season with more experience at defensive end and tight end before moving to right tackle. He was solid for the Tigers after a stint in junior college, playing in 14 games and starting 11. He is Auburn’s lone returning starter on the offensive line.

The big uglies up front on the offensive side are our focus today. There are some quality veterans out there, but teams all across the league are looking to replace some quality linemen in the trenches.

Here's how we see the league stacking up:

1. Alabama: Four of Alabama’s five linemen from a year ago return, making this one of the team’s strongest units. The returners have combined for more than 70 starts at Alabama. Barrett Jones is the star of the show. The junior has been the Tide’s starting right guard each of the past two seasons, but took reps at left tackle and could be asked to move. William Vlachos is back at center and could be the best at his position in the league. Fellow starters D.J. Fluker and Chance Warmack are back and took reps at left tackle this spring.

2. Ole Miss: The Rebels’ offense isn’t getting much respect this offseason, but its offensive line returns All-SEC candidates in tackles Bradley Sowell and Bobby Massie. Seven of Ole Miss’ linemen started two or more games each on the offensive line in 2010. Last season, the Rebels were first in the league in sacks allowed, giving up just 14. Alex Washington should stay at left guard after starting eight games there and A.J. Hawkins will likely get the nod at center after playing eight games there as well. Arkansas transfer Matt Hall will compete for time at center.

3. LSU: Joseph Barksdale might be gone, but the Tigers have a very talented group of linemen returning. Tackle Alex Hurst seems primed to be a star in the league and senior Josh Dworaczky is arguably the Tigers’ top lineman with 25 career starts. Patrick Lonergan is solid at center, while T-Bob Hebert is valuable at both center and guard. Sophomore Chris Faulk has the tough assignment of replacing Barksdale, but made quite the impression on his coaches this spring.

4. Kentucky: The Wildcats return four starters on their line. Right guard Larry Warford headlines the group after gaining second-team All-SEC honors a year ago. Kentucky also returns two-year starter Stuart Hines at left guard and Matt Smith at center, who was solid in his first year there. Left tackle Chandler Burden missed spring practice, but is expected back by fall practice. Finding a suitable right tackle is the next step for Kentucky.

5. Tennessee: This group could be one of the most impressive units for the Volunteers this season. It’s deeper and more experienced in Derek Dooley’s second year and he was very pleased with its performance this spring. Junior Dallas Thomas is solid at left tackle, and sophomore Ja’Wuan James really came on strong in his first year and is one of the top linemen in the SEC. James Stone also returns at center. The surprise of the group was true freshman Marcus Jackson, who held down the left guard spot for most of the spring.

6. Mississippi State: The Bulldogs must replace All-American left tackle Derek Sherrod, but most of the line is somewhat on point. Center Quentin Saulsberry will anchor the line and is versatile enough to play just about every position on the line. Left guard Gabe Jackson and right tackle Addison Lawrence return and the Bulldogs will have junior Tobias Smith lining up at right guard. Blaine Clausell and James Carmon, who moved from defensive tackle, will compete at left tackle.

7. Georgia: This was supposed to be one of the strongest offensive line units in the league, but the Bulldogs lost tackle Trinton Sturdivant to a season-ending knee injury this spring and fellow tackle A.J. Harmon transferred. Georgia’s most-reliable options are Cordy Glenn, who moved from guard to left tackle and Ben Jones at center. Kenarious Gates is at left guard, but he’s athletic enough to play tackle if needed. Former defensive lineman Justin Anderson will start off at right tackle. Right guard is the next area of business and the depth all around is a problem.

8. South Carolina: The Gamecocks have questions here, but there is talent across the line. Rokevious Watkins is one of the most talented guards in the league and he’ll be assisted by returning starter at center T.J. Johnson. Senior Kyle Nunn has made strides at left tackle and redshirt freshman A.J. Cann took over duties at left guard this spring. Still, the younger linemen will be counted on to contribute this fall.

9. Arkansas: The Razorbacks must replace three starters on the offensive line. Center Travis Swanson and left guard Alvin Bailey are the only returning starters. Just a sophomore, Bailey impressed his coaches last season and will be one of the top linemen in the league this fall. After that, the Hogs will have to turn to youth for help. True freshman Brey Cook could be thrust into the starting role at right tackle, while sophomore Anthony Oden could get the job at left tackle.

10. Florida: Florida’s offensive line struggled throughout the 2010 season -- and that was with a senior-laden group. This fall, the Gators will start over with a ton of inexperience. Right guard Jon Halapio and right tackle Xavier Nixon are the only returning starters. Halapio struggled at times last season and Nixon battled injuries. Florida’s line spent most of the spring in the infirmary, so little is known about the overall talent. Freshman Chaz Green left spring as the starter at left tackle, Jonotthan Harrison will battle former Notre Dame lineman Dan Wenger at center. He transferred in after spring, but has health concerns.

11. Auburn: The Tigers will go from having one of the top offensive line groups in the country to having a major work in progress in 2011. Senior Brandon Mosley is the lone returning starter, and while he was solid on Auburn’s line last season, he came from junior college as a defensive end/tight end. The good news is that tackle A.J. Greene should be fine this fall after sustaining a season-ending leg injury last year. The rest of Auburn’s linemen are very young and inexperienced. Don’t expect many redshirts from this group.

12. Vanderbilt: The Commodores might return all five starters, but this unit had trouble keeping things together last year. The offense needs this group to improve mightily. Wesley Johnson is Vanderbilt’s best option, despite only being a sophomore at left tackle. There will be size on the right side, with 300-plus pounders Kyle Fischer and Ryan Seymour over there. Simply put, this unit has the experience, but it requires a lot of improvement.

Georgia has released a post-spring depth chart and there were few surprises on it.

One interesting move is that redshirt freshman Ken Malcome is listed as the fourth-string tailback. Senior Caleb King is the starter, followed by Carlton Thomas and Brandon Harton. Malcome had a decent spring game, and though he dealt with injuries this spring, it seemed as though he was making strides. He was not the best option at the position, but his fall is a bit of a surprise.

Malcome could fall even farther down the pecking order after incoming freshman Isaiah Crowell gets on campus.

Where you can really see where the Bulldogs will have trouble is on the offensive line. Senior tackle Trinton Sturdivant went down this spring with his this third ACL-related injury, while junior A.J. Harmon transferred for personal reasons, leaving some holes to fill.

Senior Cordy Glenn took the spot at left tackle and will be backed up by redshirt freshman Hugh Williams. Sophomore Kenarious Gates is the starter at left guard, Ben Jones is at center, Chris Burnette is at right guard and Justin Anderson is at right tackle.

Redshirt freshman Brent Benedict has moved from tackle and is behind Burnette. Kolton Houston and Dallas Lee are both behind Gates and Austin Long is behind Anderson.

Staying healthy on the offensive line will be critical for the Bulldogs.

At wide receiver, junior Marlon Brown will start opposite flanker Tavarres King. Brown showed signs this spring that he's ready to be a major contributor to the offense and will need to take some pressure off of King, who should be quarterback Aaron Murray's primary target. Junior Rantavious Wooten is listed behind King.

The defense looks steady, especially up front.

Abry Jones, Kwame Geathers and DeAngelo Tyson are the three down linemen. Once junior college transfer John Jenkins arrives, the battle between him and Geathers for the noseguard spot should be exciting to follow.

Jarvis Jones is the starting Sam linebacker, Cornelius Washington is at Will, Christian Robinson is the Mike and Alec Ogletree is inside at the Mo. This is sure to be one of the fastest linebacker groups in the SEC.

Much of the focus in Athens has centered around who will replace A.J. Green as Georgia's big-play receiver and whether prized freshman running back Isaiah Crowell can come right in and pump new life into the Bulldogs' running game, especially now that Washaun Ealey is gone.

But as we creep toward June, a new issue has surfaced -- depth on the offensive line.

Junior tackle A.J. Harmon left the team Tuesday for what coach Mark Richt said were personal reasons, although academics sidelined Harmon for the Liberty Bowl last season. Harmon was a potential starter at right tackle, and at the very least, was going to be the Bulldogs' third tackle capable of filling in on both the left and right side. That's two tackles that the Bulldogs were counting on for next season that won't be around. Senior Trinton Sturdivant, who started seven games at left tackle last season, suffered a season-ending knee injury during the spring.

Undoubtedly, first-year offensive line coach Will Friend will be working a few guys in different spots when preseason camp begins in order to build some depth.

Senior Cordy Glenn will open the preseason at left tackle and was probably going to be the starter there even before the injury to Sturdivant, who was expected to slide over to right tackle. Senior Justin Anderson, who was on defense last season before undergoing surgery for turf toe and missing all but one game, is the starter at right tackle entering the preseason.

Senior Ben Jones is solid at center with sophomore Kenarious Gates penciled in at left guard and sophomore Chris Burnette at right guard.

As it stands now, Gates would probably be the Bulldogs' third tackle and could end up moving there. He started three games as a true freshman last season at right guard.

Redshirt freshman Kolton Houston showed enough promise this spring that the Georgia coaches feel like he could also come in and play guard if Gates moves to tackle.

But among Gates, Burnette and Holston, they have a combined three college starts.

The two wild cards at tackle are redshirt freshman Brent Benedict and sophomore Austin Long, but there are health concerns with both players. Benedict had a serious knee injury his senior season of high school that also included nerve damage. Long underwent back surgery and missed the entire 2009 season. He was also out this spring after tearing a pectoral muscle in practice.

The Bulldogs may have to look to a true freshman or two for depth next season. Watts Dantzler, Zach Debell and Xzavier Ward are all projected to play tackle in college.

Figuring out the offensive tackle situation at Georgia should be an interesting task for coach Mark Richt.

The loss of Trinton Sturdivant, who is expected to miss the 2011 season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee this spring, put a dent in the Bulldogs‘ offensive line plans.

Both he and converted guard Cordy Glenn were rotating back and forth between the right and left tackle spots.

With Sturdivant gone, Glenn has assumed the starting role at left tackle, but right tackle and a backup for Glenn remains a bit of a mystery.

Wednesday, Richt threw out some names for both spots.

He said guard Justin Anderson and tackle A.J. Harmon are candidates for the right tackle spot. Both split reps there this spring. Tackle Austin Long is a candidate as well, but dealt with a shoulder injury this spring.

Richt said guard Kenarious Gates, who has been solid in the middle of the line this spring, is athletically gifted enough to play tackle if needed.

After that, it’s a bit unclear. Redshirt freshmen Brent Benedict and Kolton Houston will both get a shot. Benedict missed all of the 2010 season after suffering a severe right knee injury during his senior year of high school.

Georgia will also look to accelerate the development of incoming freshmen tackles Zach DeBell, Xzavier Ward and Watts Dantzler.

The key to figuring fall positions will be finding the correct fit at right tackle, Richt said.

“A lot of it’s going to depend on who is going to be the starting right tackle,“ Richt said. “My guess is whoever we think the third best tackle is he may end up having to cross train between the left side and the right side.”

Unfortunately, there are key injuries in college football just about every spring. We’ve seen two major injuries in the SEC during the past week.

Georgia offensive tackle Trinton Sturdivant suffered his third ACL tear in last Saturday’s scrimmage and will miss next season. And on Monday in practice, Ole Miss linebacker D.T. Shackelford tore the ACL in his right knee and is also expected to miss next season.

Here’s a checklist of some of the other key players around the league who’ve either been slowed by injuries suffered this spring or have missed the spring while recovering from injuries. The players are listed alphabetically:

• Mark Barron, S, Alabama (pectoral muscle)
• Mack Brown, RB, Florida (broken fibula)
• Chandler Burden, OT, Kentucky (shoulder)
• Greg Childs, WR, Arkansas (knee)
• Andre Debose, WR, Florida (ankle)
• Washaun Ealey, RB, Georgia (hamstring)
• Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida (shoulder)
• Austin Johnson, LB, Tennessee (leg)
• Byran Jones, DT, Arkansas (ankle)
• DeQuinta Jones, DT, Arkansas (shoulder)
• Greg King, LB, Tennessee (neck)
• Kentrell Lockett, DE, Ole Miss (knee)
• Ben Martin, DE, Tennessee (Achilles tendon)
• Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU (knee)
• Kerry Murphy, DT, Alabama (knee)
• Xavier Nixon, OT, Florida (ankle)
• Warren Norman, RB, Vanderbilt (wrist)
• Matt Patchan, OT, Florida (wrist)
• Rodney Paulk, LB, South Carolina (knee)
• Bacarri Rambo, S, Georgia (knee)
• Gerald Rivers, DE, Ole Miss (knee)
• Jordan Rodgers, QB, Vanderbilt (shoulder)
• Tobias Smith, OG, Mississippi State (shoulder)
• Brandon Taylor, S, LSU (foot)
• Marcus Temple, CB, Ole Miss (sports hernia)
• Alex Watkins, LB, Alabama (knee)
• Nickoe Whitley, S, Mississippi State (knee)

Talk about cruelty.

Sunday, tests confirmed that Georgia senior offensive tackle Trinton Sturdivant suffered his third ACL-related, season-ending injury. His first two were in his left knee, but this one was in his right one.

Remember, this is a guy who was a freshman All-American in 2007 after starting all 13 games at left tackle for the Bulldogs.

He then tore the ACL in his left knee during a preseason scrimmage in 2008 and tore it again in the 2009 season opener.

For a guy who has given everything for his team, this is a devastating blow for not only Georgia but also his career.

Sturdivant, who started seven of the 12 games he played in during the 2010 season, considered forgoing his senior year to enter the 2011 NFL draft, but later decided to stay at Georgia for his final season.

It’s unknown if Sturdivant, who would be a fifth-year senior this fall, will petition the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility.

As for Georgia’s offensive line, this leaves a huge hole. The 6-foot-5, 312-pound Sturdivant was splitting time with converted guard Cordy Glenn at the left and right tackle positions.

Sturdivant’s injury leaves Glenn as the only Bulldog tackle with any real experience, and while Glenn did start four games at left tackle after Sturdivant went down in 2009, most of his experience has come at left and right guard.

Junior A.J. Harmon could be an option at tackle, but he’s played in just seven career games. Redshirt sophomore Austin Long and redshirt freshman Kolton Houston could be options at right tackle, should Glenn permanently move to left tackle. Redshirt freshman Brent Benedict, who missed all of the 2010 season after suffering a severe right knee injury during his senior year of high school, could also be an option to replace Sturdivant.

The low numbers at tackle mean the Bulldogs will have to immediately throw incoming freshmen tackles Zach DeBell, Xzavier Ward and Watts Dantzler into the fall practice rotation.

Some of what's making news around the SEC:

• The players who got their feet wet last season for Auburn will be called on to play big roles in 2011, writes Evan Woodbery of The Mobile Press-Register.
• Auburn linebacker Jessel Curry is no longer on the team.
• Alabama receiver Brandon Gibson is battling for playing time.
• Georgia's Trinton Sturdivant and Cordy Glenn are rotating back and forth between right and left tackle.
• The severity of Tennessee cornerback Prentiss Waggner's hand injury is unknown.
• Florida receiver Chris Dunkley has been suspended for academic reasons.
• LSU picks up a pair of commitments from receiver Travin Dural of Beaux Bridge, La., and linebacker/athlete Lamar Louis of Teurlings, La.
• LSU running back Spencer Ware is getting ready to shift from spring football to baseball.
• South Carolina assistant coach Jeep Hunter his shifting gears this spring.
• Ole Miss defensive end Gerald Rivers' knee injury is just a bone bruise and not a tear.
• The construction of a new football complex at Mississippi State is closer to a reality.

Some SEC linkage for your viewing pleasure:

• Auburn coach Gene Chizik's use of profanity, the 'D' word, is wrong, writes Kevin Scarbinsky of The Birmingham News.
• Linebacker C.J. Johnson, one of the state of Mississippi's top prospects, says he plans to sign with Ole Miss. Johnson is rated by ESPN as the No. 9 inside linebacker prospect in the country.
• A healthy Georgia offensive tackle Trinton Sturdivant is dreaming about spring practice.
• Florida center Mike Pouncey has decided not to play in the Senior Bowl.
• Senior Bowl veteran Preston Dial is playing this year and not watching.
• Former Tennessee linebacker Nick Reveiz prepares for his shot at the NFL.
• Mississippi State lands a commitment from Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy running back Derrick Milton.

Making the rounds in the SEC:

• Michigan State respects Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, but the Spartans plan to challenge him.
• Will this be the final game for Georgia's hard-luck Trinton Sturdivant?
• Tennessee's senior class saved the season for the Vols, writes David Climer of The Tennessean.
• A healthy Denard Robinson will be a handful for Mississippi State, writes Rick Cleveland of The Jackson Clarion-Ledger.
• There hasn't been any kicking back for South Carolina senior kicker/punter and team captain Spencer Lanning.
• LSU is ready to go with a running back by committee approach if Stevan Ridley can't play in the Cotton Bowl.
• Will Florida's offense provide a New Year's Day surprise?