Georgia has yet to conduct its first practice of the preseason and there is already some moving and shaking going on.
Rico Johnson, who signed with the Bulldogs as a wide receiver in February, will open camp this week on defense with the cornerbacks. UGA coaches said the move is not necessarily permanent but was made because of Georgia’s needs in the secondary and the fact it has 15 players at the wide receiver position.
“It was just kind of a need.” UGA offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said Wednesday. “We’re going to see if he can go over there and contribute. I think we’ll know early on whether he’s going to stay there or come to the offense. Not that it’s easy to play receiver, but if he would’ve started on offense then go to defense I think the adjustment would have been harder on him.”
The 5-foot-11, 172-pound Johnson signed with UGA out of Swainsboro High in 2013 but did not qualify. He attended Georgia Prep Sports Academy this past year, re-signed with the Bulldogs in February and enrolled at UGA in May. He was rated a 3-star prospect at as a recruit.
Georgia obviously has exceptional depth and talent at wide receiver. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs lost three former starters to transfer and dismissals from last year’s secondary and are looking to solidify starters at boundary corner and safety.
During the summer, redshirt freshman Reggie Wilkerson was moved from corner to safety. Incoming freshman Dominick Sanders will open at safety and junior college transfer Shattle Fenteng will work at cornerback.
“We’ve shuffled some guys around,” said defensive coordinator and secondary coach Jeremy Pruitt. “The big thing is we want to teach the guys all the concepts so they can learn more than one spot. I think a lot of our guys can do that.”
Who ends up starting and logging the majority of playing time will be decided in the 29 practices between now and the Aug. 30 season opener against Clemson. The Bulldogs were 58th in the nation against the pass last year.
“It’s going to be guys who play the ball good in the deep part of the field,” said Pruitt, who came to Georgia from Florida State after the Seminoles won the national championship last year. “To me, that’s the most important thing when it comes to defensive back, who can play the ball in the deep part of the field. Obviously that’s where the big plays are created. We’ll see who plays with toughness, who plays good man-to-man, who tackles well, who can sustain and do it over a period of time. to me, all the guys can do it. But who’s going to do it over and over and over.” Wednesday. “
About the Author
