X-factor, kicker, safety

Corey Moore, SS

Moore is a player everybody has had their eyes on for three years. The trouble is, they’re still waiting to see something. The 6-foot-2, 214-pound junior came to Georgia as a four-star prospect and U.S. Army All-American. The thinking was he would be one of the members of the 2010 recruiting class to make an immediate impact. They’re still waiting. But opportunity is knocking for Moore. Scheduled starter Josh Harvey-Clemons is suspended for the opener against Clemson. Moore needs to win the job for that game, and possibly more.

Xzavier Ward, OT

Ward is the “X factor” on an offensive line that returns all five starters from last season’s record-setting unit. The 6-7, 278-pound sophomore has been plagued by knee injuries since arriving. He’s healthy now, and with starter John Theus sidelined for the majority of spring practice, he emerged from spring practice as the No. 1 right tackle. His athletic ability could eventually lead to an appointment at left tackle.

Jonathan Taylor, DL

Nobody seems to be quite sure where this 6-4, 336-pound athlete may end up on the defensive line, but everybody seems quite sure he’ll end up in the rotation. He’ll get a look at both nose guard and defensive end and could end up starting at either spot.

Ramik Wilson, LB

Since his arrival in Athens, coaches and teammates have raved about Wilson’s athletic ability and playmaking skills. But he’s had little chance to display it as a backup outside linebacker and a special-teams contributor. That won’t be the the case this season as he moves inside and is penciled in to start alongside Amarlo Herrera.

Placekicker to be determined

That’s “place-kicker to be determined.” Coach Mark Richt has played coy with the availability of sophomore Marshall Morgan, the regular kicker who was arrested for boating under the influence over the summer. But the general consensus is he’s going to have to sit out at least the opener against Clemson. That means somebody — and nobody is sure who — will have to fill in. Junior Adam Erickson leads a walk-on contingent fighting for that chance.