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Brandon Kublanow: The Next Great UGA Center?

By John Buhler

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Junior Brandon Kublanow is making the switch from left guard to starting center for the Georgia Bulldogs football team this season.

The Georgia Bulldogs have had seven straight seasons of high productivity from their starting centers.  Ben Jones, now of the Houston Texans, started all four seasons when he was in Athens (2008-11).  David Andrews, now with the New England Patriots, thrived at center for the Dawgs Between the Hedges for three years (2012-14).  Is Brandon Kublanow the next great center for Mark Richt‘s Georgia Bulldogs?

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Brandon Kublanow came to Athens as the number two overall center in the high school Class of 2013 in the country.  Kublanow starred at Walton HS in Marietta, Go Raiders!  After starting at left guard in 2014 between LT John Theus and C David Andrews, Head Coach Mark Richt and new Offensive Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer opted to move Kublanow further inside on the interior of the offensive line.

His likely replacement at left guard seems like its Sophomore Isaiah Wynn whose versatility allows him to play all five offensive line positions if need be.  I see 2015 as a huge year for the UGA offensive line, returning 4 of 5 starters and probably a Top 5 unit in the nation.

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Brandon Kublanow has more of the stockier build similar to Andrews at 6’3” 282 lbs.  This bodes well for centers who need both reflexes and leverage to effectively play the position.  Georgia also benefits from having player who is familiar with playing center at a high level as Brandon did in high school.

While I do believe that Kublanow becomes the offensive line’s vocal leader in 2016, he doesn’t have to assume the front-end of that responsibility this season as Senior LT John Theus will fill the on-field leadership void vacated by David Andrews.  Brandon Kublanow will grow more comfortable at center with each start and he will likely be the voice of the UGA offensive line in 2016.

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Until Nick Chubb came along an ran all over the SEC, David Andrews was the offensive MVP of the 2014 Georgia Bulldogs through his consistently strong play and on-field leadership.  Brandon Kublanow has had the pleasure of being able to pick Andrews’ brain the last two seasons on what it takes to play center in the SEC, just like Andrews did with Ben Jones in 2011.

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Though initially I was hesitant of Mark Richt making Brandon Kublanow switch positions up front due to continuity, I think that the move makes the most sense heading into the fall.  It allows Richt and his staff to get the best five offensive linemen out on the field at the same time: LT John Theus, LG Isaiah Wynn, C Brandon Kublanow, RG Greg Pyke, RT Kolton Houston.

The offensive line for the 2015 Georgia Bulldogs could stand as the best unit of the Mark Richt Era.  Last year’s group was on the same level as the 2009 unit that protected Joe Cox Between the Hedges.  So long as the Dawgs can run block for Chubb and company and keep whoever wins the starting QB gig upright in the pocket, Georgia could have a very special 2015 in large part because of their offensive line.

Next: Georgia Bulldogs: Out of the Pool and Into the Sun

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