ATHENS, Ga. - As a member of the Rhode Island Rams, offensive tackle Tyler Catalina went up against the likes of Albany, Brown, Central Connecticut, Harvard, Stony Brook and Towson.
The 6-foot-6, 314-pounder is now a graduate transfer at Georgia, where he is getting a baptism in the Southeastern Conference. Catalina has faced the likes of Missouri defensive end Charles Harris and Ole Miss defensive end Marquis Haynes the past two weekends and this Saturday could see his share of Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett as the No. 25 Bulldogs (3-1, 1-1 SEC) host the No. 11 Volunteers (4-0, 1-0).
Georgia offensive lineman Tyler Catalina (72) during the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game against North Carolina in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga., on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016. (Photo by Perry McIntyre Jr.) Asked recently to pinpoint the biggest difference in competing for the Rams and the Bulldogs, Catalina couldn't pick just one.
"Speed, power, and there is more of a rotation," Catalina said. "Ole Miss had guys rotating in every three or four plays, so they were staying fresh, and the guys coming in are just as good as the guys going out."
Catalina was a three-year starting tackle for the Rams, working on the right side as a freshman in 2013 and the left side the past two years. He began August camp as Georgia's third tackle with Isaiah Wynn and Greg Pyke as the starters but practiced well enough that coaches elected to move Wynn in to left guard.
Bulldogs first-year head coach Kirby Smart believes the best way to get Catalina ready for what he is seeing every Saturday is to prepare him daily in practice.
"We've worked him at right tackle, left tackle and at guard, so he goes against all types of players so that when he gets in the game he's got some experience doing it," Smart said. "We all know the in-game experience is invaluable and that you can't get enough of that. He's had some trial by fire, and he knows he's got to go out there and compete and do it against good players.
"Guys like Haynes and Charles Harris will prepare him to go against the guys he will go against in the future. Part of the reason he came to this league is that there is a really good pass rusher every week we play against."
Harris inflicted the most damage to Georgia's offensive front, tallying seven tackles, four tackles for loss and three sacks during Georgia's 28-27 escape on Sept. 17. Barnett, a 6-3, 265-pound junior, is coming off last Saturday's dominating performance against Florida, when he had five tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks.
Catalina is from Worcester, Mass., so getting used to the Deep South heat often has been as challenging as the increase in stout competition.
"I've adjusted pretty well," Catalina said. "We practiced in 100-degree weather several times during camp and several times since the season started. The games have been hot, but that hasn't bothered me at all."
Said senior center Brandon Kublanow: "There were definitely a couple of practices in camp when he had to sit down for a minute or two because he was getting roasted, but I think he has adjusted well."
Georgia's offensive line had its most complete showing of the season in the opening 33-24 win over North Carolina. The Bulldogs ran the ball fairly well in last week's 45-14 loss at Ole Miss, but they rank 12th in the league in sacks allowed with 3.0 per game.
"I think things have gone pretty well, but obviously there are things that need to be worked on like there are with every player," Catalina said. "I think I'm doing OK, and I'm not really concerned about the adjustment anymore. I'm just trying to follow my technique and make sure I'm doing what I need to do."
Chubb update
Nick Chubb has not been able to go through practice this week, and Smart isn't sure whether the junior tailback will be able to go today as well. Chubb injured his ankle during the first half of last week's game in Oxford.
"He's shown some improvement," Smart told reporters following Tuesday's practice. "Right now he's in a boot, trying to keep the pressure off of it. He's able to do some light running."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.