Bulldogs tight end fits bill

ATHENS, Ga. --- Nobody questioned whether Orson Charles had the pass-catching ability to make an impression as a first-year freshman tight end.

But skeptics wondered whether he had the physical maturity to block some of the Southeastern Conference's best defensive ends and linebackers for a full season.

Charles turned critics' hesitancy into motivation and has become Georgia's third-leading receiver and a part-time starter.

"Everybody doubted me because I was undersized and I was short and I wasn't the size of a typical tight end," said Charles, who is 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds. "Really, I had a chip on my shoulder and I wanted to prove to everybody that I can get the job done."

Charles has 16 catches for 284 yards and two touchdowns. He averages 17.9 yards per catch, which is rarified air for receivers let alone a tight end.

He has put up those numbers while sharing snaps with Aron White and fellow freshman Arthur Lynch.

Charles has also stood up to blocking on an SEC level.

"We knew Orson was talented when we went after him," Georgia coach Mark Richt said. "We're asking a tight end to run routes like a receiver, catch like a receiver, block like a lineman and being just that one same person is not that easy to do, especially for a freshman.

"I'd say Orson's forte would have been as a route-runner and a pass-receiver. But you still have to learn what to do," Richt continued.

"Not that he wasn't a good blocker in high school, he was and was very tenacious, but his size is not one that you would say he's going to match up and maul some of those defensive ends in our league."

Charles revels in Georgia's recent rushing resurgence more than his downfield pass catching. A successful running game requires a tough-guy mentality that Charles enjoys on the field.

"It's mano a mano, I'm taking the guy across from me," Charles said. "That's how we look at it. You have to be physical in the run game.

"If you're more passive, you're going to get blown up," he said. "You're going to get blown away. With our offensive tackles and our offensive guards, I don't see that happening because we're very aggressive up front and that's why you saw two running backs score three times (last Saturday against Auburn)."

Reach Roger Clarkston at roger.clarkston@morris.com.