Georgia may have lost another offensive lineman

By Chip Towers

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

ATHENS — Georgia officials said they could not immediately confirm reports that another offensive lineman is out for part of preseason practice.

Dawgsports.com, a website that covers UGA for the Scout/Fox Sports network, cited sources when it reported Wednesday that Austin Long would miss two weeks with mononucleosis. Neither Long nor anyone from his family could be reached for comment.

If true, the Bulldogs are down to six experienced offensive linemen. Georgia has lost three other offensive linemen since last season. Senior tackle Trinton Sturdivant was lost to a knee injury and redshirt freshman guard Brent Benedict (Virginia Tech) and junior tackle A.J. Harmon (Alabama State) transferred.

Georgia signed five freshmen offensive linemen in its 2011 recruiting class: David Andrews, Watts Dantzler, Zach DeBell, Hunter Long and Xzavier Ward. Several walk-ons are included on the depth chart.

Austin Long, a 6-foot-5, 304-pound sophomore, was considered the top lineman in Tennessee when he signed with the Bulldogs out of Briarcrest Christian Academy in Memphis in 2009. He was listed as the backup to Justin Anderson at right tackle.

Long has had a hard time getting on the field. Back surgery before he got to UGA resulted in a redshirt season, and he did not play in 2010 as he continued to rehabilitate that injury.

Troupe troubles

Georgia senior wide receiver Israel Troupe, who is scheduled to walk in graduation ceremonies this Saturday, first had to handle some minor legal problems Wednesday.

Troupe missed a court date Tuesday for a public-urination citation he received this past April. But before a bench warrant could be issued, Troupe managed to make it to the Athens-Clarke County Courthouse on Wednesday and paid a $210 fine and $50 late fee, according to Municipal Court officials.

Records show that Troupe was issued a citation for urinating in public by Athens-Clarke County Police on April 9.

It was not an arrest, however, so the Bulldogs have still managed to go the entire year without any player arrests. They had 12 players arrested in 2010.

UGA spokesman Claude Felton said coach Mark Richt “is aware of the situation” and “will handle it the way he feels is most appropriate.” Felton could not say if that might include a suspension.

The 6-foot-1, 220-pound Troupe enters preseason practice as third-string split end behind Marlon Brown and Michael Bennett. The senior has 11 career catches for 157 yards and a touchdown.

Etc.

Players spent Wednesday going through conditioning tests, physicals and team orientation. The first preseason practice begins at 4:20 p.m. today. ... A jury trial for Carver-Columbus senior defensive back Deion Bonner has been set for Sept. 19 in Athens-Clarke County State Court. Bonner was arrested and charged with theft-by-taking April 18 for allegedly stealing iPods and other electronics from the Bulldogs’ locker room during a recruiting visit. ... Georgia will play Southern University at home in 2015, according to athletic director Greg McGarity.