SPRING BATTLE: Which Georgia Bulldog Will Win The Left Tackle Job?
Real Georgia Fans Don’t Miss the Dawg Post Newsletter - Sign up now!
ATHENS - Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs have a secret weapon on the offensive line right now.
It’s veteran Austin Blaske.
A former three-star prospect in Georgia’s 2020 class out of South Effingham High School, sources say Blaske is Georgia’s most versatile lineman and someone who has shined when the second-string unit is on the field.
If something were to happen to starting center Sedrick Van-Pran, Blaske can fill in. If Stacy Searles needs another guard to step up, Blaske can do the job.
The 6-foot-5 310-pounder is also pushing Earnest Greene III for the starting left tackle spot, as sources continue to say big Amarius Mims will likely stay at right tackle.
He’s patiently waited for his time to contribute, and it’s safe to say the big, physical, versatile lineman will absolutely make an impact on Georgia’s offensive line in 2023.
The Georgia Bulldogs go Back to Back!
Reserve Your Copy of DOUBLE DAWGS NOW!
“He’s a competitor”, Smart said about Blaske after Georgia’s first spring scrimmage. “I don’t know if there is anybody on the offensive line that practices as hard and as physical as he does day in and day out. He doubles as a center too. He goes in and plays center as well, so he’s really intelligent. He works really hard. He’s really good on our loose plays. He can cover down. He’s athletic. He does a good job.”
Blaske may not have had 5-stars to his name in high school, but he’s won over the staff. With Broderick Jones off to the NFL, the Bulldogs have two outstanding linemen fighting for the left tackle job. If Blaske wants to win the job, he’ll have to beat out a young tackle who has really opened eyes since getting to campus last year.
Of course, that would be former four-star Earnest Greene III.
Earnest (Greene III) is doing a really phenomenal job as well”, Smart added. “Earnest gives us something we didn’t have in the last couple of years. In the run game he is really physical. He moves people. Those two guys are battling it out there. We have to be able to flip too. They just can’t all be one side. Whether Amarius (Mims) id there or at left you have to have at least a couple of tackles that can flip. Go back and forth. They both have done a good job of doing that.”
It’s never easy to replace both of your starting tackles, but sources say the Georgia staff feels great about where they stand on the offensive line.
Sedrick Van-Pran is the best center in college football. Amarius Mims has plenty of experience by now and has 1st-round potential this time next year. Tate Ratledge is a multi-year starter at right guard. Xavier Truss is another veteran guard with tons of experience.
Then you have a major left tackle battle between two promising linemen looking to make a big name for themselves. Once again, you can expect Georgia’s offensive line to be one of the best in college football in 2023.
GEORGIA BASEBALL RETRO SNAPBACK CAP
