ATHENS — It’s not certain yet whether Georgia will go with the incumbent, Rodrigo Blankenship, or the graduate transfer, David Marvin, to kick field goals.

The kicking competition has been close throughout preseason camp and has lasted into game week as Georgia prepares to open against Appalachian State on Saturday night. Coach Kirby Smart said the contest is close to coming to an end.

“That hasn’t been determined yet. We think it’ll be decided here shortly, though,” Smart said.

Blankenship was named to the SEC’s All-Freshman team last year after going 14 for 18 on field goals and making all his extra-point attempts. But with his kickoffs not being what the coaches wanted, and with questions about his status with the program because he was a walk-on, Marvin was recruited to play one year, on scholarship.

Smart said last week that Blankenship had improved his kickoffs.

The punter position, on the other hand, has been determined. Graduate transfer Cameron Nizialek, who arrived this spring from Columbia, an FCS school, will take on those duties.

Sophomore Marshall Long, who punted last year until he was hurt after the ninth game, is not quite 100 percent, Smart and student assistant coach Kevin Butler have said.