Georgia Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

Georgia football enters the season with a relatively young roster, but the potential in Kirby Smart’s second season is endless.

Last year was the first time in over a decade that the Georgia football program opened the season with a coach not named Mark Richt roaming the sidelines. Former Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart took over for Richt who left to take the head coaching job at his alma mater, Miami.

Smart brought a whole new philosophy to Athens and the Bulldogs took a nice first step in his first season as head coach, although their final record may have looked all too familiar. Georgia finished 8-5, which seemed to be around the record Richt was putting up in his latter years with the Bulldogs — although he did have plenty of 10-plus win seasons.

Still, to replace a head coach and finish with eight wins, including a Liberty Bowl victory over TCU was impressive. The Bulldogs will now look to reach that 10-win plateau as one of the favorites to win the SEC East.

Let’s take a look at the returning talent in the projected 2017 two-deep depth chart.

Offensive Line

Starting tackles: Isaiah Wynn (LT), Aulden Bynum (RT)
Backups: Isaiah Wilson (LT), D’Marcus Hayes (RT)

Although Isaiah Wynn has played primarily left guard during his career with the Bulldogs, he’s making a move over to tackle in order to shore up some other talented guys. He stands 6-foot-2, which is smaller than most left tackles, but weighs in at 302 pounds. He’s going to be an All-SEC player by the end of the year. On the other hand, Aulden Bynum is entering his first year as the full-time starting right tackle as a senior.

Don’t sleep on Isaiah Wilson, a former blue-chip recruit, who could take over as the starter before the end of the season — and it wouldn’t shock me. He’s joined by junior D’Marcus Hayes as a backup.

Starting guards: Dyshon Sims (LG), Solomon Kindley (RG)
Backups: Pat Allen (LG), Ben Cleveland (RG)

Dyshon Sims, a senior, is a versatile offensive lineman who can play both the center and left guard positions. He could also play on the right side in a pinch, which makes him that much more valuable in the trenches. He made two starts at left guard in the final three games of 2016, so he’s no stranger to starting. Solomon Kindley, a redshirt freshman, will get his first starts at right guard the collegiate level this season. He’s got a mammoth frame at 6-foot-4, 340 pounds.

Sophomore Pat Allen and Ben Cleveland are there in case the young Kindley struggles with confidence or if an injury takes place. Both are solid backups.

Starting center: Lamont Gaillard
Backup: Dyshon Sims

Junior Lamont Gaillard returns as the starting center. He started all 13 games a season ago and was considered one of the most improved players on the team. Also, as previously mentioned, Sims shows up on the two-deep as the backup center. Don’t be shocked to see him get some snaps in the middle this season.