ATHENS -- Georgia coach Mark Richt expects junior tailback Richard Samuel to be healthy when the 18th-ranked Bulldogs play No. 12 Michigan State in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 2.
Samuel missed the final four regular-season games and the SEC Championship game against LSU after having surgery to repair ligament damage in his left ankle, which was injured on the final play of Georgia's 24-20 win over Florida on Oct. 29.
His availability would provide size (he's 6-feet-2, 243 pounds), depth, plus maturity and experience to a position that has proved troublesome for the Bulldogs (10-3) this season.
Samuel, who has 240 yards rushing and one score this season, graduated Friday but has another year of eligibility. Richt will be glad to have him back for the next game and season.