Secondary security

ATHENS, Ga. -- Bryan Evans signed with Georgia as one of the nation's top 10 cornerbacks in 2005, and he arrived with hopes of becoming the program's next Champ Bailey.

It didn't turn out that way.

After redshirting in '05, Evans became a starting cornerback late in the '06 season and opened the '07 season as the starter before being replaced after two games by Prince Miller. He regained a starting job for the first five games last year before getting supplanted by Miller again.

Then the 5-foot-11, 190-pounder from Jacksonville was no longer a corner, as Bulldogs defensive coordinator Willie Martinez switched Evans to safety.

"I really didn't have a problem with it," Evans said of the midseason move. "The only thing that worried me was having to learn everything over. I thought it was going to set me back, especially since I had been here three years before, but I caught on quicker than I thought.

"I really enjoy safety. I can see a lot of stuff going on, just with the ball in the air itself."

Evans will enter his senior season as the starting free safety, having tallied 67 career tackles, nine pass deflections and an interception in the 2007 win over Auburn. Miller is back for a final year at cornerback and Reshad Jones returns at strong safety after flirting with the NFL, giving the Bulldogs experience at three secondary spots.

Sophomore Brandon Boykin is the starter at the corner spot opposite Miller.

Martinez needed a safety last October when the Bulldogs, after losing Kelin Johnson to graduation following the '07 season, lost Quintin Banks with a season-ending knee injury before the Vanderbilt game. Evans got his first snaps at safety during the 52-38 win at LSU and played as a backup the rest of the way to Jones and CJ Byrd.

At this year's G-Day spring game, Evans had three tackles and an interception.

"We wanted to do it earlier in the process, but it's obviously paying dividends for us right now," Martinez said. "He's got experience and tremendous speed, and he has a physical presence coming down against the run. He has good size and covers the field.

"By playing the corner position and now playing safety, he's got an understanding of the whole package."

Martinez appreciates Evans for being very unselfish in making the move, and Evans is appreciative to have another chance. Now he's eager to defend his coach with his play.

"I think our defense wants to prove that it's still one of the best," Evans said. "Coach Martinez gets all the blame, but we're the ones out there making the plays or not making the plays. As a defense, we realize we want to have our coach's back and show him that we can get the job done and that we will get the job done."

Vying to return

Head coach Mark Richt said Wednesday that Miller is the leading candidate to return punts and that backup quarterback Logan Gray is an option around the 10-yard line. Vying for the opportunity to return kickoffs are Evans, Boykin, tailback Richard Samuel and freshman corner Branden Smith.

Jones injured

Starting center Ben Jones had to leave Wednesday's two-hour practice with a sprained left ankle, but X-rays were negative. Sports information director Claude Felton said Wednesday night that Jones will be listed day-to-day.