Georgia Football 2019: Freshman Face, Center Clay Webb is This Years Cade Mays

Georgia saw Lamont Gaillard leave for the NFL. The future at center will rely on the freshman face of Clay Webb who could be this year's Cade Mays.
Georgia Football 2019: Freshman Face, Center Clay Webb is This Years Cade Mays
Georgia Football 2019: Freshman Face, Center Clay Webb is This Years Cade Mays /

Lamont Gaillard played in 44 games in his career at The University of Georgia, the majority of those coming at the center position for the Dawgs. Now a member of the Arizona Cardinals, Gaillard left a gaping hole in the middle of an otherwise returning offensive line. 

We know Georgia has bookend tackles in Wilson and Thomas, and pro-caliber guard play as well with a combination of Ben Cleveland, and Soloman Kindley, and even Cade Mays. 

USATSI_11210042

But that stills leaves an opportunity for the 5-star true freshman, Clay Webb to compete with sophomore Trey Hill for the start at center. 

Webb spent the majority of his high school career playing tackle and demolishing kids in the running game. The only thing is, his high school tape doesn't really correlate to SEC football which calls for dominant pass blocking ability. 

The good news for UGA fans and Webb is that he more than held up in 1 on 1's at the biggest of camps across the country, as you can see in the video above. Assuming he can't beat out Trey Hill for the starting spot at center, Hill, the big time recruit in the 2018 class, will have to hold down the middle of this offensive line that will easily be one of the best in the country. 

Webb was the nation's #1 ranked center for a reason. This young man simply understands leverage. Very similar to Lamont if we are being completely honest. Gaillard never dominated SEC defenders with sheer power, but he was always lower than his opponent and he ALWAYS had his feet in the correct place. I see Webb being an identical player to Gaillard in this UGA offense.  

BJF_9876

If you wanted proof of Clay Webb understanding leverage, he was a state champion heavyweight wrestler in Alabama. 

Webb enrolled at UGA in December of this past year, so he's had time with the strength & conditioning coach in order to add the necessary weight and strength to play in the SEC so there should be a good chance we see Webb as a true freshman. 

Even if it's in a role similar to Cade Mays last season where he started 7 games due to the injury to Ben Cleveland. Sam Pittman has brought the abundance of highly touted individuals in for a reason because he knows that injury is simply apart of the game.  


Published
Brooks Austin
BROOKS AUSTIN

Brooks Austin is a former college football player turned journalist and broadcaster. Follow him on Twitter @BrooksAustinBA