The SEC coaches released their preseason All-SEC teams Thursday.  Eight Georgia players were selected to the first, second or third teams.

Heisman hopeful Todd Gurley was named to the first-team offense. The junior running back is coming off a 2013 in which he was banged up, but is widely considered a legitimate Heisman candidate entering Georgia’s opening contest against Clemson on August 30.  Linebacker Ramik Wilson was selected to the first-team defense.  The senior backer led the SEC in total tackles last season with 133.  Wilson’s just the third Georgia linebacker to accomplish such a feat.  Kicker Marshall Morgan rounded out the Bulldogs selected to the first-team.

The Bulldogs had two offensive players named to the second-team offense.  Offensive lineman John Theus and wideout Malcolm Mitchell were featured on the second-team.  Theus, the Bulldog offensive tackle, has been a starter on a veteran Georgia offensive front both his freshman and sophomore seasons.  Mitchell suffered a torn ACL in the opener at Clemson in 2013 and missed the rest of the season.  It isn’t likely that Mitchell will appear in the 2014 opener a week from Saturday, but should be available at some point this season and can be an impact playmaker for the Bulldogs.

Linebacker Jordan Jenkins and senior cornerback Damian Swann both made the second-team defense.  Jenkins led the team in tackles for loss in 2013 and is primed for a huge 2014 season.  Swann’s a veteran defensive back looking to rebound from a disappointing 2013 in a Georgia secondary that gave up a lot of big plays.

Running back Keith Marshall was named to the third-team offense.  Marshall returns in 2014 after an ACL injury sidelined him last season.  As a freshman, Marshall provided a great option to Todd Gurley as both had monster seasons and were nicknamed “Gurshall.”  Marshall looks to return to form.