Preseason depth charts aren't carved into stone tablets these days, but John Atkins has been listed as Georgia's first-team nose tackle.
Naturally, he would like to keep it that way.
"I just have to keep coming to work every day and keep getting better," Atkins said by phone following Tuesday morning's two-hour practice in full pads. "Everybody is coming to work, and if everybody is working, that makes it harder on the coaches to put who they want to put at the top."
Georgia held a lighter workout Tuesday evening, with the two-a-day session the result of Monday's practice being scratched by inclement weather.
Atkins, a 6-foot-4, 300-pound redshirt sophomore from Thomson, Ga., played in 10 of 13 games last season but has yet to start a college game. He had three tackles in last year's opener against Clemson and three again in his next game at South Carolina, but he had only three more tackles the rest of the season.
Second on the depth chart at nose tackle is senior Chris Mayes, a 6-4, 317-pounder from Griffin who transferred to Georgia after spending two years at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
Atkins and Mayes not only are battling one another to succeed last season's starter, Mike Thornton, but they could be vying for playing time with 6-4, 307-pound freshman Trenton Thompson. The nation's No. 1 overall recruit in the 2015 signing class according to 247Sports.com, Thompson has been cross-training like the other defensive linemen at nose, tackle and end in the 3-4 scheme.
There is a desire to help Thompson. There also is a desire to fend him off.
"You can't be selfish in this league," Atkins said. "You've got to be able to help, but you've still got to grind, too. You've got to help and grind. You've got to do both."
Said Mayes: "It's competition, and your overall goal is to win and get better. Any time you can help your team get better, you want to do that."
Mayes played in eight games last season, collecting seven tackles and a tackle for loss. He played in 11 games and made eight starts in 2013, when he tallied 31 tackles and a sack.
Given that it's his final go-around, Mayes certainly has a little more urgency in the nose tackle competition.
"It's been a grind so far, but it's also a time to get everybody ready and motivated for the season," Mayes said. "It's my last shot. You only have so many chances, so you have to make the most of them."
Atkins and Mayes expect to rotate at the nose, but both admitted they will take nothing for granted and that defensive ends often are moved to the nose in pass-rushing situations. What seems certain is that Thompson could be on the field sooner than later.
"He's going to be a very special player," Atkins said. "He's out there grinding every day, and he's tough."
Odds and ends
Receivers Isaiah McKenzie (hamstring) and Terry Godwin (shoulder) remained out for the portion of Tuesday morning's practice that was open to the media. Linebackers Leonard Floyd and Tim Kimbrough also were not spotted. The Bulldogs will have their first preseason scrimmage Friday.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.