Ray Drew is lining up at defensive end with Georgia's No. 1 defense this spring and, as far as he's concerned, all is right with the world.
Coming in from Thomas County Central as 5-star prospect and one of the top-rated defensive linemen in the country, fans have waited impatiently for Drew to live up to his billing. But after transitioning from outside linebacker, where he began his career, down into the trenches, Drew finds himself not only in a front-line position but in a position of need. And the timing, he said, is just what it is supposed to be.
“Every spring is important, but this one right here takes on a new sense seeing that we did lose a few people off the defense last year,” said Drew, who will be a junior this fall. “We’re going to have to have some people step up and take on some leadership roles and encourage the young guys as well. “
Drew feels like he can be one of those leaders. But he doesn’t plan on attaining that rank verbally.
“I’m not one who’s going to go out there and get everyone excited,” he said. “I’m not going to give a Ray Lewis speech before the game. I’m going to let my actions do my speaking.”
Drew's career has been somewhat low key so far. He played sparingly in seven games as a true freshman at weakside outside linebacker before getting moved to the line before last season. Mired behind the likes of Abry Jones, Cornelius Washington and Garrison Smith, never started but was a regular in Georgia's rotation and played in 13 of its 14 games last season. He finished with 23 tackles, 8 quarterback pressures and a tackle for loss.
But with only Smith and fellow reserve Michael Thornton to man the end positions this season, the Bulldogs will be expecting much more from Drew this coming season. And he believes he can give it to them.
“I have good size and I can move well for my size,” said Drew, who said he currently weighs 280 pounds. “I’m working on my quickness off the ball also. So I feel with my combination of size, speed and power I can be – I don’t want to say a force to be reckoned with – but I believe I’ll do very well this year.”
No vacation for Murray
Just one week into spring practice, Georgia players will be dismissed this weekend for spring break. But there will be no trip to the beach for Aaron Murray. Instead of heading south to Florida the Bulldogs' star quarterback is heading northwest to Norman, Okla., for some extra training. He'll be working at the University of Oklahoma with noted quarterback specialist George Whitfield. Murray has worked with Whitfield during his stints at the Elite 11 quarterback camps in California.
"He's Landry Jones' quarterback coach and Landry's pro day is Thursday of that week," Murray said, referring to the Sooners' just-graduated quarterback. "Braxton Miller of Ohio State is going to be there as well and we're going to be working with (Whitfield) in the morning and the afternoon and Landry is going to be training between us. So it should be fun to get a couple of two-a-days in, work with them and have some fun."
Murray said he won't miss the annual spring break party ritual.
"I've had my share of fun spring breaks," said Murray, who spent last year's break in Key West, Fla. "It's my last go-round and I've got to make sure I'm ready to go this season and not do anything stupid this year."
Herrera back at Mo
Amarlo Herrera held down the heralded "Mo" linebacker position for the Bulldogs while Alec Ogletree was suspended for the first four games of last season. But he played "Mike" the rest of the season after Ogletree's return.
Now that Ogletree has moved onto the NFL, Herrera is back at the "Mo" position. Junior Ramik Wilson has moved inside from outside linebacker to fill the hole at "Mike." But Herrera will still be handling a lot of play-calling responsibilities
“I’m excited about it,” Herrera said. “I’m excited to be on the field period. It’s football and always get excited to play football, no matter where I’m at on the field.”
I’ll be doing everything I was doing last year as far as getting the play-calls and getting everybody lined up. Ramik will be doing the same thing as well
No linebacker yet for Harvey-Clemons
Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said before spring practice that sophomore Josh Harvey-Clemons would be cross-training at outside linebacker this spring and likely play both that and safety next fall. So far, however, Harvey-Clemons has worked only with defensive backs.
The 6-foot-5, 217-pound sophomore said he has worked exclusively at strong safety during the Bulldogs first two practices of the spring. But he work out with the outside linebackers during weight-training, so he figures he’ll play there eventually.
“I’m just trying to get safety down right now,” the Valdosta native said.
Practice update
Georgia’s spring practices opened this past Saturday amid flurries of snow and sleet. Tuesday’s workout, the second of the spring, was considerably warmer but conducted in the rain.
"Football's an outdoor sport, so the weather can be an issue at times but you've still got to get in the work," Georgia coach Mark Richt said. "We knew the rain was a possibility, but there was no lightning so we were fine. The film may be interesting. Hopefully it will be good enough to coach from."
The Bulldogs will get one more shot at good weather on Thursday – the forecast is for sunny and 62 degrees – before dispersing for spring break. Like last year UGA’s spring break comes just a week into spring practice. Practices will resume on March 21.
Tailbacks Keith Marshall (hamstring) and Brandon Harton (shoulder) remained sidelined with injuries.
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