ATHENS — The University of Georgia is continuing its search for a new left tackle.
The Bulldogs have six players in the running for the hole left when sophomore Trinton Sturdivant went down with a season-ending knee injury Monday. Sturdivant was expected to lead Georgia’s offensive line this season after starting all 13 games in 2007.
Clint Boling, Josh Davis, Kiante Tripp, Vince Vance, Justin Anderson and true freshman Cordy Glenn are the names being thrown around to get the job at left tackle. Tripp is a viable candidate with his playing time in eight games last season at right tackle. Vance, a junior, has more experience and played in 11 games last season at guard and tackle.
Davis, a redshirt sophomore, was slated to serve as Sturdivant’s backup at left tackle this season. As a freshman, he played in eight games on the offensive line.
Boling is going to serve a one-game suspension to start the season.
Splish splash
Georgia’s football team got a break from morning practice Wednesday and hit the swimming pool at Georgia’s Ramsey Center. The highlight of the morning activities was coach Mark Richt’s pair of back flips off the high dive for an eager group of onlookers below to see. Bulldogs starting quarterback Matthew Stafford also drew attention for his work off the diving board. Richt added jokingly that linebacker Akeem Dent had the least graceful dive of the day.
"Nobody got hurt today over at the pool," Richt said. "I know the players liked it too."
Richt started the tradition of taking a day away from practice to go to the pool last season.
Local roundup
Redshirt freshman wide receiver and East Hall graduate Walter Hill continues to rehabilitate his broken right hand sustained last week. During Wednesday’s practice his activities included riding a stationary bike, sit ups and light weight training work. His estimated time for recovery is 4-6 weeks.
Tight end Derek Rich, a North Hall High graduate, looked solid in practice Wednesday catching passes from senior transfer quarterback Jonathan Batson. Rich transferred to Georgia after spending the past two seasons playing at Connecticut.
Freshman wide receiver Tavarres King is continuing to show his promise as a potential target for Stafford. King and fellow freshman wide receiver A.J. Green have both drawn the praise of teammates for their effort in practice.
North Hall graduate Jackson Griffeth is spending his first season working out as a preferred walk-on to Georgia’s football program. He is making the move to outside linebacker from his previous position of defensive end from high school.
Injury update
Middle linebacker Dannell Ellerbe spent Wednesday’s practice wearing a non-contact jersey due to a mild rotator cuff bruise, according to Richt.
Due to minor shoulder stiffness, sophomore running back Knowshon Moreno also was wearing a green jersey Wednesday to avoid being tackled. Neither Ellerbe’s or Moreno’s practice status was viewed by Richt to be anything significant.
Cover boy
Ellerbe recently made a personal concession shaving his cherished goatee to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated. The policy for the preseason publication was for all players to be clean shaven. Ellerbe was willing to pass on getting the cover shot with Stafford and Moreno, until he appeared the day of the picture without his trademark facial hair.