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2012 UGA Football Preseason: Freshmen Poised To Take Kicker, Punter Duties

Georgia's chances at repeating as SEC Eastern Division Champions might hinge on one hopefully fabulous freshman - running back Keith Marshall - but a pair of newcomers are close to taking over the special teams unit. The Athens Banner-Herald is reporting that freshman Marshall Morgan is the favorite to start at kicker, while freshman Collin Barber is set to become the Dawgs' next starting punter.

"Today gave me a better peace about them being where they are," coach Mark Richt said. "I’m not going to name them starters yet."

Richt said Barber’s punts were impressive. He averaged 49.5-yards on two punts.

The Bulldogs are looking to replace the departed Drew Butler and Blair Walsh at punter and place kicker, respectively. Walsh had become a staple at the position, racking up various records, including a NCAA mark of 45 games with at least one field goal. His 412 points rate second all-time in NCAA history, and he was named to the UGA All-Decade team.

For more on Georgia football, be sure to check out SB Nation's Georgia blog Dawg Sports, as well as SB Nation's college football news hub.

Photographs by coka_koehler used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.
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