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Georgia Fullback Has Setback - June 10th, 2008

By Jordan Walters
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

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The University of Georgia could well be the preseason No. 1 team in the land when the polls come out in early August, not to mention a national title betting favorite at WagerWeb.com, but the Dawgs will be without a three-year starter for at nearly the first half of the 2008 season - if not longer.

Senior fullback Brannan Southerland (6-foot, 240 pounds) underwent surgery on his left foot Friday in Athens and has a projected recovery time of 16 weeks. Southerland sustained a fracture of the navicular bone at the end of last season and underwent surgery to repair the fracture. Tests performed earlier this week revealed the development of a stress fracture in the same bone in a different location from the initial injury.

The 16-week mark is Sept. 26, the day before Georgia plays Alabama in Athens. Among the other games in September, Georgia plays at South Carolina and Arizona State. After a weekend off Oct. 4, Georgia plays Tennessee at home Oct. 11.

 

Georgia already is without third-string fullback Fred Munzenmaier for the first two games because of an alcohol-related arrest in January. The only scholarship fullback available against Georgia Southern and Central Michigan will be second-stringer Shaun Chapas, who played in 12 games last year and had 11 carries or 41 yards.

Southerland, an all-SEC candidate, has 25 career starts and in 2006 became the first fullback since Theron Sapp in 1957 to lead the Bulldogs in scoring with 10 touchdowns. He carried the ball 17 times last year for 25 yards but with five TDs.

Other than his short-yardage scoring potential, Southerland is important in opening holes for star running back Knowshon Moreno. It's possible the Dawgs could go with a two-tailback look at times with Moreno and Caleb King.

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