COLUMBUS — One of the more interesting offensive experiments of the spring will continue into the summer.

Shaquery Wilson will begin preseason practice at tailback, coach Kirby Smart confirmed on Thursday. Wilson spent his freshman season at receiver, where he stayed until about halfway through this past spring.

The move was mainly made for depth reasons — the team was down to two healthy scholarship tailbacks — but everyone seemed to like what they saw enough to keep it going.

Smart said Wilson told him in his post-spring exit interview that he’d like to stay at tailback for now.

“He felt like after spring ball that’s what he wanted to do,” Smart said. “He was very encouraged by his progress and thinks he can pick up on things. He didn’t get but three practices before the spring game. So he’s really excited about doing it and opening some things up.”

The move means Georgia should open the preseason with six scholarship tailbacks: Wilson, Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, Brendan Douglas, Tae Crowder and incoming freshman Elijah Holyfield. (Chubb’s injury status, of course, remains to be determined.)

Wilson becomes one of the team’s taller tailbacks, at 6-foot-1, but Smart would like Wilson to add some weight. He was listed at 200 pounds before spring practice.

Smart said he was excited about the possibility of getting the ball to Wilson “in different ways,” utilizing his receiver background.

“He’s kind of a different running back than those other guys,” Smart said. “Probably more in the Sony mold, run and catch the ball, flex out. So we’re excited about using him that way. I was pleased to hear that he wanted to do it.”