Freshman impresses coaches

ATHENS, Ga. - You won't find Burke County's Marcus Washington on a list of the top 20 incoming Southeastern Conference recruits in the preseason football magazines. That's OK. Georgia coaches have found the freshman making big plays plenty of times the past few weeks on the practice field.

"Nobody did ever talk about me," said Washington, now the Bulldogs' second-team middle linebacker. "That's kind of the beauty of it. Come in and sneak in under the radar and shock the world."

Georgia's first commitment in its 2005 recruiting class (in May, 2004) so far appears to be at the head of the class with his showing this August.

"Marcus has been around the ball a bunch," coach Mark Richt said.

Of the four linebackers Georgia signed last February, Washington is the only one that will play this season.

Jamar Chaney was denied admission and is at Mississippi State. Darius Dewberry signed with the expectation that he was headed for Hargrave Military Academy. Tavares Kearney is out for the season with a knee injury.

When Tony Taylor missed practice time earlier this month with a hamstring injury, the 6-foot, 210-pound Washington got significant work with the first-team.

"Marcus Washington is a football player, period," linebackers coach John Jancek said. "He could probably play a number of positions. For a true freshman, I'd say he's a little bit ahead of schedule."

BYRD WATCHING: Freshman C.J. Byrd, from North Augusta, is battling redshirt sophomore Drew Williams for the backup safety position behind Tra Battle according to Georgia defensive coordinator Willie Martinez.

Williams has an elbow injury but has been getting non-contact practice reps.