Dominick Sanders already a leader of Georgia's secondary

Georgia safety Dominick Sanders started all 13 games last season as a freshman, capping his stellar debut year with two interceptions in the Belk Bowl.
Georgia safety Dominick Sanders started all 13 games last season as a freshman, capping his stellar debut year with two interceptions in the Belk Bowl.

ATHENS, Ga. -- This time last year, things were coming at Georgia safety Dominick Sanders rather quickly.

A somewhat unheralded three-star prospect from the Atlanta suburb of Tucker, Sanders was inhaling information from new defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt. Benefiting from Pruitt wiping the slate clean, Sanders became a surprise starter for the Bulldogs' season opener against Clemson and maintained that role for all 13 games, tallying 34 tackles and three interceptions.

"I learned as a freshman that a lot of things are going to be thrown at you," Sanders said, "but yet you have to be comfortable and relaxed back there so you don't make things difficult on yourself. Now I'm more comfortable and relaxed. I'm not panicking and being rushed. It's a more relaxed thing for me."

Damian Swann was the unquestioned leader of last year's defensive backs as a senior, but those chores may now belong to Sanders in what could be an all-sophomore starting secondary with the exception of junior safety Quincy Mauger.

"There are four guys coming back who played toward the end of the year," Pruitt said. "Dom Sanders started every game last year. Aaron Davis started nine or 10 games, and Quincy Mauger and Malkom Parrish were off and on, so there are four guys who have some starting experience.

"Besides those guys, there are not a whole lot who have ever played, but the good thing is that we've got eight to 15 guys who have an opportunity to contribute."

Davis started each of the last six games and Mauger each of the last three. Parrish did not have any starts a year ago but played in 11 of the last 12 games and flourished down the stretch, collecting five tackles and a forced fumble in the 34-7 thumping of Auburn.

Pruitt was asked about senior cornerback and former Ridgeland High standout Devin Bowman, who made eight starts last season and had a 63-yard interception return for a touchdown during the 44-17 whipping of Vanderbilt. Bowman did not start any of Georgia's last four games and did not play against Georgia Tech, but Pruitt said he is certainly in that mix to contribute.

"Devin will have a big season," Sanders said. "He's a great player, and he's kind of a leader, too. He's an older guy, so there will be things I look to him for like I did with Damian Swann."

Sanders, a 6-foot, 189-pounder, had a 54-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the 45-32 win over Arkansas in Little Rock. He had two of his interceptions in the 37-14 rout of Louisville at the Belk Bowl in Charlotte.

If last year was about proving by example that he could play, then this year is about proving by example that he is even better and can be a team leader.

"I've had that leadership role being thrown at me so quick, but I don't think it matters if you're a freshman or a sophomore or a junior," Sanders said. "It's about having that mindset to lead others and to learn from what you did last year and what you're trying to accomplish this year."

Second practice complete

The Bulldogs held their second practice Wednesday, working out for two hours in helmets and shorts. They will practice in shoulder pads and shorts today and Friday before working in full pads for the first time Saturday.

"I think we've had two good days," new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. "It's a little different when you don't have pads on, but I know yesterday was real crisp and clean, playing at a fast tempo in terms of personnel. We just have to keep putting days on top of each other and stacking them and getting better each day."

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.

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