After a breakthrough freshman season in 2012, Todd Gurley is a Heisman contender this year.*signifies a returning starter
RB
Starter: *TODD GURLEY, So., 6-1, 232
Backup: KEITH MARSHALL, So., 5-11, 219
Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall erupted last season as freshmen to combine for 2,144 yards and 25 touchdowns. Gurley was the more durable of the two, which is something Marshall has focused on during the offseason, and the best news for Bulldogs fans is that this tandem will be around again in 2014.
Like quarterback, the third-team spot is the only question, and there are several candidates vying here as well. J.J. Green, Brendan Douglas and A.J. Turman are three freshmen seeking that role, with Green having the advantage of going through spring, and there are also walk-ons Brandon Harton and Kyle Karempelis in the mix.
QB
Starter: *AARON MURRAY, R-Sr., 6-1, 208
Backup: HUTSON MASON, R-Jr., 6-3, 202
FB
Starter: QUAYVON HICKS, So., 6-2, 257
Backup: *MERRITT HALL, R-So., 5-11, 226
WR
Starter: MICHAEL BENNETT, R-Jr., 6-3, 205
Backup: RHETT McGOWAN, R.-Sr. 6-0, 180
WR
Starter: *MALCOLM MITCHELL, Jr., 6-1, 190
Backup: RHETT McGOWAN, R.-Sr. 6-0, 180
TE
Starter: *ARTHUR LYNCH, R-Sr., 6-5, 254, Sr.
Backup: JAY ROME, R-So., 6-6, 254
LT
Starter: *KENARIOUS GATES, Sr., 6-5, 327
Backup: MARK BEARD, Jr., 6-5, 300
LG
Starter: *DALLAS LEE, R-Sr., 6-4, 295
Backup: WATTS DANTZLER, Jr., 6-7, 307
C
Starter: *DAVID ANDREWS, Jr., 6-2, 295
Backup: HUNTER LONG, R-So., 6-4, 312
RG
Starter: *CHRIS BURNETTE, R-Sr., 6-2, 314, Sr.
Backup: GREG PYKE, R-Fr., 6-6, 326
RT
Starter: *JOHN THEUS, So., 6-6, 298
Backup: KOLTON HOUSTON, R-Jr., 6-5, 280
BREAKDOWN
Fifth-year senior Aaron Murray is entrenched as the starter after leading the Bulldogs to 22 wins the past two seasons, and redshirt junior Hutson Mason is equally set as the primary backup. Mason sat out last season to allow himself the opportunity to guide the 2014 Bulldogs and has a career stat line of 27-for-47 passing for 356 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. The race for third is the only mystery at QB, with redshirt sophomore Christian LeMay, junior walk-on Parker Welch, redshirt freshman Faton Bauta and early enrollee Brice Ramsey. LeMay is the one with the clock ticking, having completed two career passes, one to a Georgia receiver and the other to a Florida Atlantic defender.
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Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said earlier this month that he wouldn't trade this group of receivers for any he's had, though he is quick to point out there is not an A.J. Green talent. Juniors Malcolm Mitchell, Michael Bennett and Chris Conley are the top three, with fifth-year senior Rhett McGowan and redshirt sophomore Justin Scott-Wesley providing experience off the bench.
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The Bulldogs return all five starters from last season with left tackle Kenarious Gates, left guard Dallas Lee, center David Andrews, right guard Chris Burnette and right tackle John Theus. Andrews is certain to start again at center, with Gates a pretty safe pick to return to his spot as well. Theus was challenged by Xzavier Ward in the spring, but now it's newly eligible Kolton Houston who is working his way into playing time and has practiced some at right tackle with Theus at right guard and Burnette at left guard. Mark Beard is hoping to join Houston in terms of landing decent playing time, as is Watts Dantzler of Dalton, who has practiced everywhere but center.
GEORGIA'S OFFENSIVE AVERAGES in 2012: 37.8 points per game - 467.6 Yards Per Game