2011 Recruiting Wrap Up: Assessing the Depth Chart - Defensive Backs

(This is the final entry in a series examining the depth chart following the completion of the 2011 recruiting season.)

Georgia's defensive backfield looks to return all four players who finished the 2010 season as starters (Boyking, Commings, Rambo, and Ogletree) as well as some experienced upper classmen. The new faces in the secondary could also push for playing time this fall.

Depth Chart - Corner
1. Brandon Boykin, Senior
2. Branden Smith, Junior
3. Sanders Commings, Redshirt Junior
4. Jordan Love, Redshirt Sophomore
5. Damian Swann, Freshman
6. Derek Owens, Sophomore

Analysis
Boykin's decision to return for his senior season should help this group continue to improve in 2011. Sanders Commings was listed as the starter at the end of 2010, but I fully expect Branden Smith to be the starter come August. Jordan Love and Derek Owens both saw limited playing time in 2010 and will look to build on that experience this fall. Freshmen Damian Swann and Nick Marshall could also push for playing time with good summer camps. I expect freshman Devin Bowman to redshirt.

Depth Chart - Safety
1. Alec Ogletree, Sophomore
2. Bacarri Rambo, Redshirt Junior
3. Shawn Williams, Junior
4. Jakar Hamilton, Senior
5. Corey Moore, Freshman
6. Chris Sanders, Freshman

Analysis
2010 was a disappointing year for Georgia's safeties. Bacarri Rambo failed to play at the same level he did in 2009 and transfer Jakar Hamilton did not live up to his reputation as "the hitman". The lone bright spot was true freshman Alec Ogletree, who will now be looked to as the leader of the group. Shawn Williams is the only other experienced safety on the roster, so expect immediate contributions from highly touted freshman Corey Moore. Chris Sanders may also see playing time, but I do not expect Quintavious Harrow to play much at safety (though we may see him on special teams.)

The Countdown 2010: 15 Days to Go

15: Scott Woerner, Cornerback/ Kick Returner #19 (1977 – 1980)

In recent years, Georgia has seen a number of players who have excelled in both the defensive backfield and as a kick returner. Scott Woerner may be the best of that group. The Texas native made his first mark at Georgia during his freshman season in 1977. While playing sparingly on defense, Woerner became the starter at both kickoff and punt returner. He returned 22 kickoffs for 546 yards (24.8 average) and 12 punts for 112 yards. He set the Georgia single game record for kickoff returns yards with 190 against Kentucky.

During his sophomore season, Woerner would continue in his role as kick returner and cracked the starting lineup at corner. While Lindsay Scot took over as the team’s leading kickoff returner, Woerner still led the team in punt returns (23 for 277 yards and a touchdown). He added 66 tackles and 4 interceptions on defense. 1979 saw much of the same success he had during 1978, leading the Bulldogs in punt returns (22 for 200 yards) and interceptions (4). He returned in 1980 for what would be a magical senior season.

Scott Woerner played a pivot role in Georgia’s 1980 SEC and National Championships. In Georgia’s early season game against Clemson, Worner returned an interception 98 yards for a touchdown:


His solid play at corner and returner continued throughout the 1980 season and he once again came up big in the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame. He had two interceptions during the game, including one late in the 4th that sealed the contest for the Bulldogs:


Woerner was named first team All-SEC and a first team All-American. He regained his role as the leading kickoff returner (9 for 232 yards). Scott Woerner also led the NCAA in punt return yardage, 31 for 488 yards and a touchdown. It was also another great season on defense, as he totaled 47 tackles and a career high 5 interception.

Scott Woerner sits near the top of a number of categories in the Georgia record book. He is fourth all-time in interceptions with 13 (for 303 return yards, 2nd most all-time). He is fifth all-time in kickoff return yardage with 839 yards on 35 returns. He is the second leading punt returner in school history behind Damien Gary with a total 1077 yards on 88 carries (12.2 average) and 2 touchdowns. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons and played 1 season in the NFL before moving onto a career in the short-lived USFL.

The Countdown 2010: 88 Days to Go

88: Tim Wansley, Cornerback #2 (1998 – 2001)

Tim Wansley was an All-Star quarterback during his days at Buford High School. The 1997 Gwinnett County Player of the Year focused on defensive after coming to Georgia as a member of the class of 1998. Wansley was a backup corner during the ’98 and ’99 seasons, before being named the starting right corner in 2000. He would be named to the second team All-SEC team and returned for his senior season in 2001.

In 2001, Wansley was an All-SEC performer who made the biggest play of his career in his final game against rival Georgia Tech. Despite getting a ton of field goals from Billy Bennett, Tech was still haning around because the Dawgs could not get the ball into the end zone. That all changed when Tim Wansley picked off a George Godsey pass, returning it 48 yards for a touchdown. Wansley broke his leg the following week against Houston, but recovered to become one of 8 Bulldogs chosen in the 2002 NFL draft. For his career, he is Georgia’s all-time leader in pass break ups with 29. He is 14th all-time with 10 interceptions, including 3 returned for touchdowns. He played in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.