ATHENS — As for A.J. Green fans, there are none bigger than Georgia’s Rantavious Wooten. The junior wide receiver spent two seasons getting to know Green and witnessing his daily feats in games and at practices.
That said, Wooten doesn’t think wide receiver is the weak link for the Bulldogs, though he has heard it described that way.
“The whole receiving corps takes that personally,” Wooten said. “Of course, A.J. and Kris Durham came here and made plays. But as a group of receivers, we all can make plays. Actually I think we have more depth this year than we did last year, and I think we made big strides in this camp. We’re going to show the Bulldog Nation what we can do.”
Wooten is showing the same type of form he did as a freshman, when he caught 10 passes and scored two touchdowns. He played in 12 games and started three that first season, but played less as a sophomore and finished with seven catches and one touchdown.
“It was disappointing for me and I took it to heart,” Wooten said. “I took it personally. I came out this year and I knew what I had to do and I knew what the coaches expected from me. ... I’m trying to show them that I can be consistent and they can depend on me.”
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said Wooten is in position to be among the Bulldogs’ first three receivers, playing behind Tavarres King and Marlon Brown.
Jenkins helped off
Nose guard John Jenkins had to be helped off the field Friday during the full-contact practice. But it wasn’t as bad as it looked. Jenkins suffered what was described as a “mild hamstring pull,” according to Ron Courson, UGA’s director of sports medicine.
A 6-4, 350-pound junior college All-American last season, Jenkins was expected to step in as the starting nose guard, but has been unable to unseat 6-6, 350-pound sophomore Kwame Geathers.
Crowell, Samuel on field
The Bulldogs got a welcome sight with tailbacks Isaiah Crowell and Richard Samuel back at practice. Crowell has been out a week with a groin pull while Samuel has been sidelined with a quad strain since last Saturday. Both players remained in green jerseys, signifying their non-contact status. Crowell took part in the entire practice but Samuel only part of it.
Asked if they would be ready if there were a game this weekend, running backs coach Bryan McClendon said, “oh, definitely.
“Isaiah got to do everything we did out there today,” he said. “Richard, we’re having to slow him down a little bit. But he’s doing great. He got to do all the individual work. He got to do everything except for contact stuff.”
Etc.
Sophomore Dallas Lee is currently running second team at left and right guard and center. ... Offensive lineman Austin Long has returned to practice and is fully participating after missing two weeks with mononucleosis. ... Receiver Israel Troupe is sidelined with a groin injury. ... Freshman outside linebacker Ray Drew is still out with a separated shoulder. ... Defensive back Nick Marshall is back to full speed from a hamstring injury. ... According to UGA promotions director Emily Deitz, pictures of the Bulldogs in the Nike Pro Combat uniforms they’ll wear against Boise State on Sept. 3 will be posted at
at noon Saturday. The players will wear the uniforms for Picture Day at Sanford Stadium at 3 p.m.
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