With the Georgia Bulldogs now just nine days away from opening their football season against Appalachian State, receiver has become a position every bit as intriguing as the revamped offensive line.
Freshman Mark Webb, junior-college transfer Ahkil Crumpton and former cornerback Mecole Hardman have given second-year coach Kirby Smart more pass-catching options to consider, and he's fine with that.
"It's real competitive, and those battles will come down more to special teams than they will wide receiver," Smart said Wednesday night in a news conference. "Ahkil has shown the last couple of days that he catches everything thrown to him. Mecole has stepped up and made some plays. Mark Webb has made some plays.
"Nobody, though, has really taken the bull by the horns as the lead dog."
The Bulldogs worked out Wednesday for two hours in full pads.
Smart praised junior receiver Terry Godwin for his efforts in the first scrimmage but said it's more "neck and neck" after last Saturday's second scrimmage. He added that the receivers, which also include the likes of veterans Javon Wims, Riley Ridley, Michael Chigbu and Jayson Stanley, are the core of his special teams but that the core usually comes from the secondary.
Another freshman receiver, Jeremiah Holloman, battled a hamstring injury earlier this month but has not had any problems since returning. Holloman is being monitored by a yardage count each afternoon.
Battles up front
Left tackle Isaiah Wynn, left guard Pat Allen, center Lamont Gaillard and right guard Solomon Kindley appear to have earned first-team spots, with Smart adding Wednesday that redshirt freshman Ben Cleveland and true freshman Andrew Thomas are vying to start at right tackle.
Smart said Kendall Baker has emerged as the third guard and can back up both sides.
"We have always felt like if a guy can be just as efficient as another guy, then he's fresh and can play him just as well," Smart said. "They're still battling at the tackle position."
Backing up Wynn is a battle between Dyshon Sims and freshman Isaiah Wilson.
Odds and ends
Two linebackers, freshman Robert Beal and junior Rashad Roundtree, have "small injuries," Smart said, and should return to practice in a couple of days. ... Nailing down a holder is still an objective, with Smart saying punter Cameron Nizialek and quarterbacks Jacob Eason, Jake Fromm and Brice Ramsey are in the running for that duty. ... Smart said he is not happy with the conditioning of his defensive linemen.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.