ATHENS, Ga. - Georgia senior offensive lineman Greg Pyke was moved out to tackle this spring and had more fun than ever.
Now Pyke hopes he can stay there.
The 6-foot-6, 313-pounder from Baltimore started the past two seasons at right guard but played this spring at right tackle under new Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart and new offensive line coach Sam Pittman. There were three linemen at the G-Day spring game starting at different positions compared to the first of the 15 allotted workouts, but Pyke and senior center Brandon Kublanow were the two who stayed put.
"You definitely have to earn your scholarship out there at tackle," Pyke said. "If you miss a block, the quarterback is getting sacked and a fumble is being forced. You definitely earn your scholarship having to be able to block one-on-one."
Georgia's first-team line was switched up during spring when Isaiah Wynn moved from left guard to left tackle, which bumped Kendall Baker to the second team. Dyshon Sims shifted from right guard to left guard, and Lamont Gaillard became the starting right guard.
There could be additional changes during preseason camp if touted early enrollee Ben Cleveland proves deserving of a top spot, and Tyler Catalina, a graduate transfer from Rhode Island, makes an impact. Pyke will not give up right tackle easily, however, after challenging the edge-rushing talents of Davin Bellamy and Lorenzo Carter in the spring.
"I really enjoyed embracing the one-on-one attitude," Pyke said. "I don't know if I'm going to get help from my guard or not, so you know that you have to play well."
Pyke was a highly touted lacrosse player before becoming a 247Sports.com four-star football recruit in the 2012 signing class. Teammates have marveled at Pyke's athleticism on the practice fields, but that was harder to notice when he lined up next to center.
His 23 starts at guard could still prove valuable should he not maintain his role at right tackle.
"Greg has worked at tackle, but he's a guy who can go in and play guard, too," Smart said. "He's played winning football there."
Pyke is willing to contribute wherever he's needed. The past two seasons have yielded 10-3 records, and Pyke is hoping his final go-around will result in playing in the Southeastern Conference's title game for the first time.
Just don't ask him who will be Georgia's starting quarterback among Greyson Lambert, Brice Ramsey and Jacob Eason.
He's already heard that one a bunch.
"That's a question for Coach Smart," Pyke said. "It doesn't matter who we have at quarterback. We're going to block the same for all of them."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.