Shifted Gray on call at QB

ATHENS, Ga. - Redshirt junior Logan Gray is the unofficial doctor of Georgia's football team.

He can go about his business, but he's always on call.

After spending three seasons at quarterback, the 6-foot-2, 199-pounder from Columbia, Mo., asked to move to receiver following spring practice. Gray now is working full-time for receivers coach Tony Ball, but head coach Mark Richt and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo have asked him to be mentally prepared to play quarterback should starter Aaron Murray get hurt.

"Naturally, having been here for three years, you're used to going to a meeting and going through a progression when you're watching a play," Gray said. "I feel that is second nature now as far as thinking about things from a quarterback's perspective. I don't think it's going to be too much of a problem, except for when we get week to week and it's all new stuff."

Gray requested the switch after Murray was named the No. 1 quarterback in late April. He is still a possibility at his old spot because Murray is backed by freshman Hutson Mason and freshman walk-ons Greg Bingham and Parker Welch.

Murray has received a lot of praise for how he ran the offense in summer workouts, and Gray also has his share of supporters as a fledgling receiver.

"I know he knows what to do, but there is a learning curve of exactly how Coach Ball wants him to run routes," Bobo said. "He's a confident kid who has some athletic ability, and I think he's going to play a pivotal role for us this year."

Said junior receiver A.J. Green: "He's pretty smooth. Being a quarterback, he knows every position, what to run and what to do. We've just got to put him in there, and he'll make a play."

Gray signed in 2007 as Rivals.com's No. 10 dual-threat quarterback nationally, joining a list that was headed by Tyrod Taylor (now at Virginia Tech) and included Cam Newton (Auburn), Stephen Garcia (South Carolina) and Joshua Nesbitt (Georgia Tech). After redshirting, Gray did not attempt a pass in '08 but returned six punts for 72 yards.

Odds and endsRicht said after Tuesday's practice that camp is off to a good start. ... Junior guard Tanner Strickland still has shoulder soreness after missing last season, but junior tackle Trinton Sturdivant reports no swelling in his knee. ... Richt said freshman tackle Kenarious Gates has performed well but likely will redshirt due to the depth up front.

In brief relief of Joe Cox last season, he completed 5 of 12 passes for 31 yards, with one attempt getting intercepted by Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes and returned 5 yards for a score.

Though Gray is at the bottom of the depth chart, numbers are in his favor. Most teams play one quarterback a game but use six or seven receivers.

"Especially during camp," he said. "It's a big grind, and receivers can start dropping like flies because there is so much running involved."

Redshirt junior tight end Aron White, who was a teammate of Gray at Rock Bridge High in Columbia, believes the switch will be good for Gray.

"He's a guy who's too athletic to be here four years and not see the field at all," White said. "He's going to do well, but I think it's going to be hard for him because he's got a lot of competition. There are guys there who are good already."

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