ATHENS — Georgia coach Mark Richt was talking Thursday about the inherent talents of Georgia freshman cornerback Damian Swann when he stopped himself in mid-sentence.
“You know, we signed a few of those guys,” he said.
Richt was talking about versatile skill players with the speed, athletic ability and ball skills who could help the Bulldogs on offense, defense or on special teams. In addition to Swann, he rattled off the names of Malcolm Mitchell, Nick Marshall and Chris Sanders.
Richt said Swann is likely to play this season.
“If he keeps going, we’ll find a way to get him in the game,” Richt said Thursday. “I don’t know if he’s ready to break out and take anybody’s starting position right yet, but he sure is working on grabbing some playing time, in my mind. From what I’m seeing, he’s made plays and just he seems to be making very few mental errors.”
Swann, a Grady High graduate and AJC Super 11 player, said he has been somewhat surprised by his early success.
“Well, I mean, I just try to do my best,” he said. “I didn’t think it’d be this early that I could make an impression on the coaches. But I just trust myself and play. When you know more, you can play faster. So I’m just trying to concentrate on learning the playbook.”
Mastering coverages, Swann said, is the most difficult part of making the transition to SEC football.
“Zone coverages,” he said. “There’s just so much going on with that, and you have different responsibilities depending on the coverage you’re in. I mean, if you can tell me I’ve got a man, I can play. But I’m going to strengthen up on all those other aspects of being a DB and make improvement.”
Getting healthy
Cornerback Brandon Boykin (hamstring) and outside linebacker Cornelius Washington (hamstring), both returning starters, returned to the practice fields Thursday. However, tailback Ken Malcome (groin) was sidelined, as were cornerbacks Jordan Love and Marshall, who have unknown minor injuries. Also, outside linebacker T.J. Stripling was riding an exercise bike on the sideline and occasionally extending the right knee he had surgery on last season.
“When you hit really hard for 125 plays, you’ll have some of that,” Richt said. “To this point, we’ve been pretty good on the injury front. There’s nothing that’s going to keep a guy out for a really long time. Overall, the injury front is pretty good.”
Etc.
Richt said offensive tackle Austin Long (mononucleosis) is expected to be cleared next week. ... The Bulldogs completed their ninth of 29 preseason practices Thursday morning. They’ll practice again in full pads Friday morning. ... Richt said fullback Zander Ogletree was “delivering physical shots” all over the place during Wednesday’s scrimmage. His ability to execute the isolation block is unmatched, Richt said.
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