Georgia offensive line buying into culture of competition, rotation

Georgia has been fortunate enough to not receive any major injuries to their offensive line, but that has not kept the Bulldogs from constantly rotating the group. In an effort to find their five best offensive linemen, Stacy Searels is experimenting with an abundance of linemen in various positions.

Seeing all of these lineman not only has contributed to the overall endurance of the offensive line, but it’s given Georgia fans and players an opportunity to see more of these players.

Despite locking up his starting role during the 2020 season, Georgia right tackle Warren McClendon remembers how the Bulldogs’ coaching staff prepared him for his opportunity to see the field.

“Just the reps that Coach Smart you know they prepared us for, even though I wasn’t starting,” McClendon explained. “I knew that I may have a chance to play. So, I had to prepare myself mentally to be able to go in and not have to take a step back and just keep pushing forward.”

One of Georgia’s offensive lineman to play significant minutes despite not starting a game so far is tackle Amarius Mims. The former five-star sophomore Mims briefly entered the transfer portal before returning to Athens for the 2022 season.

“He’s doing great,” Georgia left tackle Broderick Jones said. “Amarius has evolved so much over the past year. It’s crazy, like, it was way faster than me. Because my first year here, it took me a while to get used to it. But he just came in ready to work and got after it.”

Playing at the University of Georgia, Mims had the benefit of playing behind Jamaree Salyer last year, while also learning from Jones, McClendon and other leaders on the Bulldogs’ offensive line this season too. The hope is that he can be a major contributor next season, or even this fall if called upon.

“He just takes it with him to the field, ready to learn. He’s more open to learning,” Jones said. “Listening to older players. That helps him in the run and the pass game.”

While Mims has flashed in his limited action with the Bulldogs, McClendon has more that he wants to see from the sophomore tackle from Cochran (Ga.).

“Just being more physical,” McClendon explained. “He’s big, so with him being in the run game, he has to get low. So it’s just him just getting more little coming off the ball.”

Entering the 2022 season, Tate Ratledge had played just a few meaningful snaps in his career at Georgia before suffering a season-ending injury against the Clemson Tigers in 2021.

“It sucks for him that he had to sit out a whole year especially after playing like two snaps,” McClendon said. “And him just sitting there just waiting, wanting to play. Now that he’s back, I’m glad for him.”

To the left of Ratledge is redshirt sophomore center Sedrick Van Pran, who seemed extremely excited to have Ratledge, better known as ‘Chuck’ on the offensive line, back in the starting lineup.

“It’s great to have Tate back,” Van Pran said. “Definitely super excited for him to have the opportunity to play. Because we came in, honestly, I thought Tate was like one of the more gifted and talented offensive lineman I’ve been around in my career. So, definitely excited to see that guy finally be back on the field. I’m super excited for him and I tell them before every game that I’m proud of him and I believe in him. So I’m just going out there and seeing the work that he’s put in. And to finally come to fruition for him, I’m super happy.”

While there’s no timetable on whether the Georgia offensive line cuts down or expands their rotation, Kirby Smart does not expect a decision to be made from this past Saturday’s game.

“Well, it depends on how guys practice,” Smart explained. “You’d like to think guys separate themselves in games, but I get a better evaluation of those guys on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday than I probably did Saturday. We’ll continue to evaluate it and see who plays well and who competes. And we get to go against a really good team for three days in practice before we go against another really good team. so, we’ll figure it out.”

Most observers would expect a situation like Georgia has to create animosity or jealousy in the offensive line room, with no one being safe in their role. However, McClendon loves the culture of competition that has been created in the Bulldogs’ offensive line.

“It always brings energy. You want to go out there and practice and get better. There’s somebody behind you that wants to play too. So they’re giving you their best. So you got to come out there with your best and it just brings a healthy competition throughout the offensive line room.”