The offensive lineman who seems to be creating the most buzz this spring is rising sophomore Jamaree Salyer, who has won raves from coach Kirby Smart and from his teammates.
“I’d say (Salyer), in three or four practices, is our most improved offensive lineman,” Smart said last week of the 6-foot-4, 325-pound Salyer. “Now it’s not center. He’s working at center some, but he’s working at right tackle and right guard (mainly) and, let me tell you something, he’s played quick. The biggest jump has been that guy.
“You kept waiting on it because you knew he was a really talented player. But I haven't seen the Jamaree I’ve seen this spring, I didn’t see that at all last fall.”
Salyer assented he’d heard about Smart’s praise, but he’s not taking anything for granted.
“It’s always good to hear when the big man calls your name in any facet,” said Salyer, who has been seen working with the first-string line and played in 13 games last season. “I’m just working every day to get better and that’s been my m.o. since I got here. I just want to get better and maximize my potential.”
An Atlanta native who went to Pace Academy, Salyer said playing with his former high school classmate Andrew Thomas has been a boost to his confidence and comfort.
“It’s awesome,” he said. “Andrew is great to have – he’s my roommate and I can talk to him and we go out to eat all the time. It’s great to have a person to talk to because a lot of times a freshman goes all the way across the country (to play) and they don’t have anybody to talk to about anything. But I’ve known Andrew since the seventh grade, and it’s easy to talk to him. It’s great to have a person like that in your corner.”
“He’s done pretty good,” said Thomas, a 2018 All-American selection. “As coach Smart said, he’s made a big jump. He understood what he had to learn, and he’s been playing pretty well.”
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