ATHENS — Early odds favor Brandon Harton earning the start Saturday in Georgia’s tailback competition, but Kyle Karempelis is gaining ground quickly.
Those are the Bulldogs’ top two options against New Mexico State, according to coach Mark Richt. Georgia lost three tailbacks to suspensions this week and another to a season-ending injury.
“Based on what everybody knows right now, I’d say Harton’s in the lead,” Richt said after Wednesday’s practice. “He had a good spring, and we actually awarded him a scholarship in camp as just a sophomore. So we felt like he could be a productive player for us.”
Harton is a 5-foot-6, 174-pound sophomore. He has the most experience of any of the remaining tailbacks with 11 carries for 33 yards, all against Coastal Carolina. Karempelis (5-9, 180), an invited walk-on, has impressed Richt this week.
“Watching Kyle, he doesn’t looked overwhelmed,” Richt said. “When the ball’s snapped you see him react and do his thing. He’s really a good, instinctive runner. Fundamentally I’m seeing good ball security and a good mindset whenever he’s in traffic. He’s caught the ball well out of the backfield. He’s put his hat on the right guy during blitz pickup. So he’s actually done very well.”
Georgia also will utilize fullback Zander Ogletree in the run game and look at getting some snaps for a few defensive backs on offense.
Crowell’s attitude
Richt said he doesn’t think the suspension of Isaiah Crowell is a sign of troubling times to come. In fact, he believes it may actually improve Crowell’s future prospects.
“I am extremely proud of how Isaiah has been handling the situation,” Richt said. “I think he was very remorseful. I think I have already seen, I don’t know, I think he is going to grow up from this in some ways. I think he’s going to be better for it.”
Eight games into his career, Crowell has been suspended for one quarter against Vanderbilt and now a full game this week for violations of team policy. Richt said he sat down with Crowell and had a long talk this week.
“Sometimes a guy will get in trouble and you have your meeting with them and you walk out of there thinking this guy doesn’t get it,” Richt said. “I did not feel that way in any way, shape or form. As a matter of fact, I thought it was one of the better conversations I’ve had with Isaiah since he’s been here.”
Jones questionable
Star outside linebacker Jarvis Jones has been practicing sporadically this week and spending almost as much time on an exercise bike as on the practice field. Richt said Jones suffered a mild knee sprain early in Saturday’s game against Florida, but was able to continue to play.
“He’s been limping around a little bit,” Richt said. “He’s been getting better on a daily basis. My guess is it’ll get better tomorrow and then the next day and then he’ll get a little adrenalin going. My guess is he’ll play.”
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