ATHENS — “Back in the day” as they, redshirting as a freshman was common practice.
For most players in today’s age of sports, however, redshirting is almost tantamount to failure. Kids want to play and play immediately. The lure, and promise, of playing immediately is a huge recruiting tool for most programs.
Which makes former Stephens County standout offensive lineman Ben Cleveland’s comments Saturday after his first-ever start for the Georgia Bulldogs that much more interesting.
“Redshirting is the best thing to ever happen to me,” the mammoth 6-foot-6, 340-pound guard said following the Bulldogs’ 42-13 rout of Kentucky at Sanford Stadium.
“When I got (to Georgia) last year I saw pretty fast that I wasn’t ready for the speed at this level and that I needed to physically develop more,” Cleveland said. “Not in size but in footwork and technique and that kind of stuff. I was glad when they decided to redshirt me.”
Saturday’s first-ever start for Cleveland represented a long wait for him, and many Georgia fans, who were disappointed that the highly-recruited tackle was looking more like a bust than a boom for the Bulldogs.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart said Cleveland earned his shot after a fierce battle during weekly practices.
“Ben has been competing hard in practice and he worked hard to earn that (starting) spot,” Smart said. “I thought he played well for the most part.”
Cleveland said there were some nerves but once the game got going, he settled in.
“I was a little bit nervous, I’m not going to lie, but I knew in the end it was all going to come down to my effort and just doing my assignments,” he said. “I think I played pretty well.”
Cleveland said the starting assignment, which he didn't learn about until Friday, was even more special since it was senior night and would be the last time the dynamic backfield tandem of Nick Chubb and Sony Michel would play at Sanford Stadium.
“It felt real nice to get out there for the seniors and just leaving it it out all on the field (for them),” he said. “I think (the line) probably had our best game of communication and that’s what helped us win.”
Cleveland was a huge part, no pun intended, of Georgia gashing the Wildcats for 381 yards and five touchdowns rushing for the game.
“We want to be able to do that on a consistent basis,” Smart said. “Those 3- and 4-yard runs wear on people.”
