Sedrick Van Pran presence exactly what Georgia needs in 2023

ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia offensive lineman and two-year starter Sedrick Van Pran announced his return for a fourth season between the hedges earlier this offseason. As the Bulldogs begin spring practice, his teammates – both current and former – say that a presence like Van Pran is exactly what this team needed as they chase their third straight title.

“The players view Sed as that guy. Sed’s been driven to be that guy ever since he stepped on campus, and I truly and solely believe that because he’s that voice that you want at the center position of your offense,” Georgia defensive lineman Zion Logue said. “He’s the second quarterback. He tells Carson, he tells Stetson what we’re going to do. I think he really drives this team, and he really is the piece that we need. For him to come back for us, I think it can only help him and that it won’t hurt him. I think this year him coming back, he maximizes everything he puts on the field.”

NFL-bound Bulldog Warren McClendon has played on the same offensive line as Van Pran each of the last two years. While they weren’t beside each other with the right guard in between, but Van Pran’s voice could be heard all over the field as he acted as a leader, not only in the middle of the offensive line but in the middle of entire team huddles.

“That’s another leader. He was a big part of National Championship team as a leader,” McClendon said. “For him to come back, that’s a lot of game reps, a lot of leadership. That room, they’re not young but they’re kind of young reps wise, so that’ll be good for everyone.”

While Van Pran returns, as do the guards Xavier Truss and Tate Ratledge, Georgia does have to replace two offensive tackles. Amarius Mims is considered to be a favorite for one of the spots while the other is up for grabs with the likes of Earnest Greene, Austin Blaske and others competing for the starting job.

Of course there’s a change at quarterback too, meaning a veteran like Van Pran could be even more important to the offense as a whole, helping the signal caller out in the transition. Van Pran said that’s not that big of an adjustment for him. He’s gotten in work with the new guys before this spring and will continue to do so leading up to the season, telling them to just be themselves and not worry about any of the outside noise surrounding the quarterback competition.

“It’s all about relationships and knowing who is behind you and who you’re dealing with,” Van Pran said. “Honestly, I feel like I have a pretty good relationship with all of those guys, so it usually doesn’t come up. It’s more so being able to dictate who’s who in the heat of the fire.”

As for how Van Pran feels about his return, its importance and his big leadership role, likely being named a captain once again after he held that title in 2022, he doesn’t want his presence to overshadow everyone else.

“Love for the G,” Van Pran said about why it was he returned. “Nobody is bigger than the team, absolutely nobody. To say that I’m the piece that could help this team accomplish anything is unfair to my teammates.”

“Every year is different,” he continued. “Nobody has a guaranteed starting spot, nobody has solidified themselves in this offense yet. When you go to add all those new pieces, you have to add chemistry with a new offensive coordinator and his tendencies and what he likes to call in different situations, things like that, to an extent it is all new.”

Georgia has undergone two practices so far this spring – ones Van Pran says have been full of guys having fun and enjoying being out on the field. He’s seen guys coming in and doing extra so far and believes that can be something that helps the team throughout the season.

“One of the things that Coach Smart has been trying to instill in us is that a lot of things have been inherited. We haven’t earned anything this team in particular, so what are we going to do about it to earn it,” Van Pran said. “It’s the same concept, different delivery. Last year it may have been, ‘That team did that, those guys aren’t here to help you. What are you going to do about it?’ as opposed to this year, ‘Those last two teams are special and those guys made their mark. What are you going to do to make your mark?’ Same concept but different delivery.”

The Bulldogs will be on the practice field again on Saturday for their third of 15 sessions this spring, all culminating with the G-Day scrimmage on April 15th at Sanford Stadium.