ATHENS – In the grand scheme of last season, it was a mere blip on the radar screen. But for Dyshon Sims, getting his first and only start as an offensive lineman for Georgia last fall was meaningful and inspirational.
Sims, then a sophomore, was tabbed to start at right guard against Kentucky last November. The call came when then offensive line coach Rob Sale decided to shake up the lineup the week after the Bulldogs’ humiliating loss to Florida. Sims replaced junior Greg Pyke.
And it went fairly well. Georgia rushed for 300 yards as it cruised past the Wildcats 27-3 at Sanford Stadium.
“It was huge actually, getting to go out there and finally get my first start,” said Sims, reflecting this past week on that experience. “It definitely built a lot of confidence and stuff and camaraderie with the guys. So that was huge. … It was big for evaluation. I got to kind of see what I needed to work on and what I needed to do to compete against some of the best guys in the SEC.”
Alas, it did not last long. Pyke played much of the second half against Kentucky and returned to the starting lineup the next week. And for the last two games of the regular season, neither player started. The Bulldogs moved Brandon Kublanow to right guard while Hunter Long took over at center.
Sims ended up playing in a total of eight games, same as the previous season. But if this spring is any indication, he’ll play in a lot more this year. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound Valdostan has been working with the No. 1 unit at right guard from the get-go. He also is getting some occasional work at right tackle.
Suffice it to say, the former 4-star prospect out of Lowndes is in the mix. And those lessons from last season are going to serve him well in this one.
“Definitely that I need to be consistent,” Sims said of what he learned. “Every day go out there and keep doing it, keep having good days of practice and stuff like that. And definitely bringing the intensity.”
Sims answered an array of questions during a session with reporters late last week. Here’s some of his comments.
On the difficulties of playing for a third offensive coordinator in the past three years …
“It’s just the plays and stuff like that. But once you get a hold of it, it’s kind of like second nature. … Everybody has their own terminology. It’s just getting used to all that stuff over again.”
On the coaching of offensive coordinator Jim Chaney …
“He’s definitely a very intense guy. He’s very meticulous. It definitely shows when we’re out there in practice.”
On new offensive line coach Sam Pittman …
“He’s the same way. They’re kind of like the same person, actually. They get us going out there and we have fun.”
On Pittman’s penchant for wanting his linemen as big as possible …
“He wants some of us a little bigger. We’ve kind of got a plan to get some of us to where we need to be during the offseason. But for right now we’re fine with where we’re at.”
On his size goals after playing at 293 pounds last season …
“Right now I’m 305. It’s kind of shifting a lot between 305 and 310. I’m hoping to keep that weight. … They’re wanting me at 315. I’m trying to put that on slowly, not too fast.”
On how the offensive line is looking so far …
“We’re working together just fine. A lot of us have played together before now, so it’s nothing new, basically.”
On working some at tackle …
“Just trying to see where I fit in best. … It’s mostly been right guard. I guess (Pittman) kind of knows where he wants the guys to play at.”
On what he needs to do to solidify himself as a full-time starter …
“Just going out there and getting the job done and executing well every play. That’s the biggest thing with (Pittman).”
On who has emerged among the linemen this spring …
“Lamont Gaillard. He looks real good actually. You can tell he’s buying into the system and learning what to do at all the positions.”
G-Day, Georgia’s annual spring football scrimmage, is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, at Sanford Stadium. Check DawgNation daily for G-Day coverage brought to you by Georgia United Credit Union.
