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 Molding new defense Bulldogs' Donnan rotating faces on speedy, deep unit
Posted: Saturday March 27, 1999 06:22 PM
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) -- The speed limit has been raised on the Georgia football practice field, which the Bulldogs hope translates into more wrecks for opponents next season. Blessed with an abundance of talent at linebacker, Jim Donnan and staff have moved starting linebackers Adrian Hollingshed and Dustin Luckie to defensive end, adding speed to the pass rush and making room for improving sophomores Will Witherspoon and Boss Bailey. Midway through spring drills, Donnan is pleased with the moves, and so are the players. "Luckie and Hollingshed are coming along," he said. "They have given us a good pass rush." Hollingshed had a breakout year as a sophomore last year. He was SEC defensive player of the week in Georgia's 17-3 win at South Carolina where he had 18 tackles, one sack and one interception. He looked forward to more of the same before he was told that he would be shifted to defensive end. "I was shocked and surprised," he said. "I had to think about it a while, but I realized it would help the team. Every team needs speed. I hope Luckie and I can give them a pass rush." Bailey, 6-foot-3, 213 pounds, and Witherspoon, 6-1, 210, have joined senior all-star candidate Orestes Grant as starters at linebacker. They are backed up by Mike Luckie, Kawika Mitchell and Ryan Fleming. In addition, junior-college transfer Kendrell Bell is expected to play immediately in the fall. Incoming freshmen Charles Grant and Jessie Miller are highly regarded as well. The everpresent theme of Georgia's aggressive defense is speed. "Speed overcomes a lot," said linebackers coach Brad Lambert. "When you recruit guys like that, you want to get them into the game. It is a new role for Adrian and Dustin, but they have a good attitude about it." "I like coming off the end," said Hollingshed, who played the position in high school. "You can put a lot of pressure on the quarterback." Neither Bailey nor Witherspoon feel any extra pressure at being moved to the starting lineup. "I think it is working out well for everybody," said Bailey, younger brother of All-American Champ Bailey, who is entering the NFL draft this year after his junior season. Donnan noted that the defense seemed ahead of the offense after Saturday's controlled scrimmage, witnessed by more than 200 high school coaches participating in a weekend coaching clinic. Aside from interior linemen and quarterback Quincy Carter, the Bulldogs must replace virtually every other offensive starter. Jasper Sanks, Patrick Pass and Robert Arnaud have impressed Donnan the most at running back. Sanks had a long run around end Saturday, and Pass got behind the secondary on a corner route. Both Jevaris Johnson and Randy McMichael have shown encouraging signs at tight end, vacated by both Larry Brown and Jermaine Wiggins. Michael Greer and Thad Parker each caught 13 passes last year playing in the shadow of Champ Bailey and Tony Small. At least five incoming freshman in the fall will challenge for playing time. In the meantime, Georgia is looking at Terrence Edwards, Jermaine Phillips and LaBrone Mitchell. Donnan seems satisfied with the starting line of left tackle Jonas Jennings, left guard Steven Herndon, center Miles Luckie, right guard Reginald Stargill and right tackle Kelvin Williams. Redshirt freshman guard Keith Stephens was lost for the spring Friday when he severely sprained his left ankle in the dorm. Of course, there is no question about who will be the starting quarterback. Carter is the logical choice. Now all Donnan needs to figure out is, who will back him up.
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