Post-spring position breakdown: Starters set at safety, but after that?

It’s a pretty safe bet to say that not many eyebrows were raised when Georgia signed Dominick Sanders as an unheralded three-star performer out of Tucker High School three years ago.

They’re certainly paying attention now.

Sanders isn’t the biggest safety in the SEC, but he’ll enter this fall as one of its bigger defensive playmakers after intercepting six passes last fall to earn All-Conference honors during his sophomore campaign.

Defensive coordinator Mel Tucker will be hoping for the big plays to continue this fall.

While the Bulldogs ultimately want their safeties in the 210-215 range, Tucker can take solace in the fact that Sanders (6-0, 190) and fellow returning starter Quincy Mauger (6-0, 200) have made 50 starts between them, bringing some much-needed experience and leadership, not only to the position but the entire defense as well.

Behind them, well, that’s another story.

While Rico McGraw is expected to be the starter at Star after opening in five games at the position last fall, after that there’s not much experience to draw.

Jarvis Wilson saw limited action despite playing in 11 games, while Rashad Roundtree and Kirby Choates were mostly on special teams.

Couple that with the fact Jonathan Abram left the team, plus the fact the Bulldogs did include a true safety in last February’s signing class, Georgia’s depth is not exactly where head coach Kirby Smart wants it to be.

But as long as Sanders and Mauger can stay healthy, the Bulldogs will probably be OK, but if one or both were to go down, that could create some problems.

The Starters

• Dominick Sanders (6-0, 190, Jr.) – Sanders is one of the more exciting defensive players in the SEC and definitely earned his All-SEC status from a season ago. During his two years in Athens, Sanders has shown the penchant for being in the right place at the right time, with a true nose for the ball and is someone who plays the game the right way. Tough and dependable are two of his biggest attributes.

• Quincy Mauger (6-0, 200, Sr.) – Like Sanders, Mauger has worked extremely hard to put himself in the position he currently finds himself in. Mauger has five career interceptions, but it’s the way he’s developed into one of the team’s better tacklers that stands out the most. The former Kell standout has averaged 55 tackles his three years in Athens and there’s no reason to think he won’t at least equal - and perhaps better - those numbers come fall.

• Rico McGraw (6-0, 192, Soph.) – Yes, we listed McGraw with the cornerbacks, too, but when Georgia goes Nickel – which is most of the time – look for the Nashville native to be manning the starting position. A tough, hard-nosed player, McGraw started five games for Georgia last fall making 20 tackles with four pass breakup.

Next up

• Jarvis Wilson (6-2, 190, Soph.) – Wilson played in 11 of Georgia’s 13 games but was strictly a backup, seeing much of his action on special teams, making just two tackles. Coaches feel Wilson can be a help, but they hope he can put on some more weight to become more of the prototypical safety they’re looking for.

• Rashad Roundtree (6-1, 205, Soph.) – Though he was listed in the spring media guide at 205 pounds, Roundtree is actually closer to 210-212. Although he played in 12 games last year – virtually all of it on special teams – Roundtree’s freshman campaign certainly qualified as a learning process for the former Lakeside-Evans star. That said, Roundtree appeared to make some progress during spring practice and was seen getting some second-team reps. While it’s probably safe to say Roundtree still has a little ways to go before becoming a consistent contributor in the secondary, he does seem to be moving forward.

• Kirby Choates (6-0, 200, Soph.) – Choates may have been considered a reach by some when he first signed with the Bulldogs, but the sophomore actually played well as a true freshman – mostly on special teams. He also enjoyed a good spring, getting his share of second-team reps.

NOTE: Don’t be surprised to see Tucker cross-train several of his cornerbacks to play safety as well, including junior Aaron Davis, who has actually seen time at the positon before. Walk-on Jonah Guinn could also figure in.