Position battles are always an intriguing element to monitor during fall camp, as are veterans who may start feeling pressure to perform from newcomers at their respective positions.
There are a couple projected starters who could lose their jobs to a freshman this fall. We’ve highlighted the most noteworthy:
GEORGIA — Tim Kimbrough, ILB, Jr. vs. Natrez Patrick, ILB, Fr.: A borderline five-star prospect out of Atlanta, Patrick showed flashes of extreme athleticism during spring practice as an early enrollee and caught the eye of both Mark Richt and Jeremy Pruitt at linebacker. After moving from the outside to inside spot early on, Patrick seemed to have a natural sense of where to be at the position and provided an immediate impact as a depth option behind Kimbrough, Georgia’s most improved player of the spring.
Patrick brings an instinctual presence to the defense and starred on G-Day, accumulating eight tackle and a sack. There’s no doubt Patrick has already earned a spot in the rotation and he’ll be gunning for Kimbrough’s starting job in August.
MIZZOU — Rickey Hatley, DT, Jr. vs. Terry Beckner, DT, Fr.: The Tigers’ defensive line depth has taken a serious hit since the end of last season and the latest news of Harold Brantley unable to go this fall means others will have to step up in his absence. Insert Beckner, a five-star bull rusher with a mean streak. He’s going to battle Hatley head-to-head during fall camp for the right to start in the opener against Southeast Missouri on Sept. 5.
Brantley’s primary backup last season, Hatley is penciled in to start by way of injury, but it’s not a done deal. He’s bigger than Beckner at 6-4, 285 pounds (vs. 6-2, 280 unofficially), but not as quick off the snap. Look for these two to split first-team reps throughout camp so Barry Odom’s defensive staff can determine its best starting foursome.
MISSISSIPPI STATE — Ashton Shumpert, RB, Jr. vs. Dontavian Lee, RB, RS Fr.: Dan Mullen’s best running back coming out of the spring was, without question, a redshirt freshman who impressed the coaching staff with a relentless attitude each and every attempt. One of four ballcarriers fighting to be top (Bull)dog in this year’s offense, Lee scored a handful of touchdowns over three scrimmages and showed a knack for getting tough yards between the tackles.
Shumpert is the more experienced option and arguably better receiving threat in the short passing game, but Lee appears to be the guy anxious to hold a sizable role during his first year on the field. Shumpert’s played in 24 games over his first two seasons and has five career touchdowns.
FLORIDA — Jonathan Bullard, DE, Sr. vs. CeCe Jefferson, DE, Fr.: It’s not going to happen Day 1, but keep an eye on Jefferson’s progression during August camp as he adjusts to the speed of the college game and Geoff Collins’ scheme defensively. Bullard’s made 20 starts at defensive end over the last two years and skipped out on a shot at the NFL to return for his senior season. He doesn’t have Jefferson’s quickness or burst, but is considerably stronger and a more complete player at this point.
Ideally, the Gators could put Bullard and Jefferson on the field at the same time on opposite ends of the defensive line. Perhaps Jefferson, a consensus five-star, would be better-suited to take over fellow defensive end Alex McCalister’s starting spot if the junior’s inconsistent in the early going.
