Even with the shutdown of the Georgia campus due to COVID-19, many Georgia football players are still finding a way to get in workouts and training during the current time. The likes of Eric Stokes and James Cook have both posted highlight videos in recent days.
But neither of those really turned heads in the same way that offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer did with his video post.
The video showed a noticeably slimmed-down Slayer working on his pass blocking skills, as he shuffled through striking a number of pads.
The video most notably caught the attention of Smart, who sent out a late-night tweet noticing Salyer’s work and hinting that he’s down to 315 pounds. The official Georgia football roster lists Salyer at 325 pounds.
The 2020 season figures to be a big one for Salyer after he had a promising close to the 2019 campaign. He got the start at right tackle in Georgia’s 26-14 win over Baylor in the Sugar Bowl and played quite well in the win. He also spent most of last season working as the back-up right tackle behind Isaiah Wilson, who was taken in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft
And with Wilson, Andrew Thomas and Solomon Kindley off to the NFL, Georgia has a number of openings on the offensive line that need to be filled. Salyer is expected to fill one of the tackle openings, with Kindley telling DawgNation he expects Salyer to be Georgia’s starting left tackle next season.
When all three Bulldogs spoke at the 2020 NFL Draft Combine, they each mentioned they had high expectations for Salyer and the Georgia offensive line this coming year.
“They’re young kids but they work so hard,” Kindley said of Salyer and center Trey Hill. “They’re leaders and if you go around them, they have great character. If you go around them, you’d think they’re one of us.”
Salyer is in his third year in the Georgia program and even though he hasn’t played as much as some might have thought to this point, this latest video shows he’s ready to take that next step and become a key player for the Georgia offensive line. Salyer came to Georgia with high expectations, as he was a 5-star prospect out our Atlanta’s Pace Academy. He is still the highest-rated offensive line prospect Georgia has signed under Smart.
Salyer will also be learning from a new offensive line coach this year, as Matt Luke takes over Sam Pittman, who is now at Arkansas. Luke did coach Salyer and the offensive line in the Sugar Bowl, so there is already a working relationship there. Georgia also has a new offensive coordinator in Todd Monken.
Related: Jamaree Salyer and his playing time explain why Georgia offensive line is one of the nation’s best
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