It’s going to be slim pickings for Georgia’s quarterbacks during G-Day on Saturday.
Star receiver Malcolm Mitchell is scheduled to have knee surgery Friday and will be out for the rest of spring practice. But he’s not the only one who could be sidelined for the G-Day game.
The Bulldogs already know they’ll play without junior Michael Bennett, who is rehabbing from last season’s ACL reconstruction. Meanwhile, flanker Chris Conley was out Thursday with a hamstring strain, and Justin Scott-Wesley has been out since Saturday with a chest bruise.
That leaves Georgia with only seniors Rantavious Wooten and Rhett McGowan as receivers with any notable experience. The good news is it should leave a lot of reps for young wideouts such as redshirt freshman Blake Tibbs and junior college transfer Jonathan Rumph.
Mitchell, a junior, apparently suffered torn meniscus to his right knee during the Bulldogs’ scrimmage Saturday. Mitchell is expected to return to full speed well before preseason practices begin in August.
Despite missing games with injuries and splitting some of his time playing cornerback on defense, Mitchell (6-foot-1, 192 pounds) already has 1,237 yards receiving and eight touchdowns as a Bulldog. Mitchell ranked second on the team last season with 572 receiving yards on 40 catches. He also led Georgia with 16 kick returns for 360 yards (22.5-yard average). He is working exclusively on offense this year.
“He’s a game-changer,” senior tight end Arthur Lynch said. “You have to account for him on every play, whether it’s a reverse or a screen or a deep ball or drag across the middle. You have to respect him, and it’s nice to have a guy like that.
Theus likes left tackle: Sophomore John Theus, who earned freshman All-American honors playing right tackle last season, expects to start at left tackle Saturday. Theus was moved there shortly after returning to practice last week following offseason foot surgery.
It all happened somewhat suddenly, but Theus is glad it did.
“Every guy who’s an offensive tackle for the most part wants to have their shot at left tackle,” he said. “It is a prestigious position, and if you are fortunate enough to make it to the next level, that spot pays more than the right side. So that’s what everybody wants to work for. … If I can get the job done, maybe I can get moved over there permanently as my career continues here at Georgia.”
Gates at guard: Kenarious Gates, Georgia's starting left tackle last season, said he will start at right guard Saturday. Regular right guard Chris Burnette is out for the spring with a shoulder injury. Sophomore Xzavier Ward is playing right tackle.
“There’s a lot of competition, and we’ve got a lot of players stepping up,” Gates said. “You just never know what position you might get. Right now there’s no guaranteed position, no guaranteed spot. Everybody’s still working and trying to own up to a spot.”
Food for admission: For the fifth consecutive year, Georgia is teaming with the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia for G-Day. In order to gain admission to the 1 p.m. game, fans are being asked to donate one bag of food. The athletic association has set a goal of 15,000 pounds for this year's game and has added a fun touch to help solicit participation.
Fans can support their favorite player by bringing in the items listed next to each player’s name: Aaron Murray (green beans and pinto beans), Keith Marshall (canned corn and sliced peaches), Todd Gurley (black-eyed peas and chicken-noodle soup), Mitchell (early peas and canned pasta), Damian Swann (baked beans and sliced pears) and Bennett (peanut butter and canned mixed veggies).
UGA also will accept cash donations.
