UGA football healthy for a change

MACON — Georgia’s football team, which had a famously lengthy injury list last season and this spring, will begin preseason practice in August with a healthy roster for a change.

“We feel like when camp starts, 95 to 98 percent of the team will be able to go with no limitations,” coach Mark Richt said Tuesday.

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Bob Andres/bandres@ajc.com

Mark Richt says he can count the number of injured Bulldogs on one hand as the team heads into summer. That’s quite the change from last year, when UGA was ravaged by injuries.

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That will be a welcomed change from last season, when 25 players suffered injuries that required surgery, and spring practice, when almost all of those players remained sidelined and several others went down with new injuries.

By contrast, Richt figures he’ll be able to count the injured Bulldogs on one hand when preseason practice starts: receiver Kris Durham, out for the season; offensive lineman Josh Davis, who Richt said will be limited at least initially; and possibly linebacker Darius Dewberry, depending on “how he progresses throughout the summer.” All three have shoulder injuries.

Otherwise, players are on — or ahead of — schedule in their rehabs.

Joining Richt at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame for the annual “Pigskin Preview” media event Tuesday were two of the UGA players who had season-ending injuries last year: offensive lineman Vince Vance (knee) and defensive end Rod Battle (shoulder).

“I’m doing pretty much everything in the weight room,” Battle said. “I don’t expect to be limited in August.”

Said Vance: “I’m full-speed right now.”

Two of the costliest injuries last season were suffered by offensive tackle Trinton Sturdivant, who blew out a knee in the first preseason scrimmage, and defensive tackle Jeff Owens, who did the same in the season opener.

“Those guys look great,” Richt said. “They are very excited. And I’m excited.”

Waiting on Kwame

Richt indicated that at least 16 of Georgia’s 20 signees have qualified academically and expressed confidence that kicker Brandon Bogotay, tailback Washaun Ealey and defensive back Shawn Williams will do likewise if they haven’t already.

As for defensive tackle Kwame Geathers: “Kwame’s situation, I don’t know as well,” Richt said. “There is still some information coming in that will give us a better picture on that.”

Richt said Williams is “in good shape” academically, said “it’s just a matter of time” on Ealey, and said Bogotay will arrive in Athens this summer after a late graduation date at his California junior college.

‘Need some juice’ at D-end

It’s no secret to Battle or anyone else that Georgia needs more production at defensive end this season.

“I think it’s the same situation as last year: Somebody’s got to step up, whether it be me or someone else,” Battle said.

He would like to be the one.

“I think I need to go out and work hard and make that happen,” he said. “I can talk about it all I want to.”

Richt on Battle: “I hope he has one of those Marcus Howard senior years, you know. We need some juice off the edge, you know.”

Howard, now with the Indianapolis Colts, led Georgia with 10 1/2 sacks as a senior in 2007.