Geathers emerging as Georgia's starting NT

ATHENS, Ga. — Kwame Geathers is making a break from his family's rich tradition of defensive ends.

Geathers, a sophomore, is emerging as No. 19 Georgia's first-string nosetackle. Two older brothers are currently NFL defensive ends. His uncle, Jumpy Geathers, had 62 sacks in 13 NFL seasons as a defensive end using his "forklift" power move to earn a reputation as one of the league's strongest players.

Kwame Geathers (6-6, 350) is strong enough to copy his uncle's trademark move of picking up and carrying offensive linemen, but he is learning he must bring more than raw pass-rushing power to the middle of Georgia's three-man defensive line.

The Bulldogs need a big run-stopper in the middle of the line. To be effective, Geathers has had to learn he has to keep his shoulder pads low.

"That's the biggest key, at 6-foot-6, trying to stay low and use my hands," he said.

Geathers had only seven tackles in eight games as a redshirt freshman last year as he adjusted to defensive coordinator Todd Grantham's 3-4 scheme.

He had a breakthrough in spring practice and has continued the momentum in preseason drills. He and newcomer John Jenkins give Georgia two massive run-stoppers at nosetackle.

Coach Mark Richt acknowledged on Monday that some members of his staff assumed that Jenkins (6-4, 342) would be an immediate starter. Instead Geathers, who was named the team's MVP on defense in spring practice, has continued his emergence this summer.

"The day we signed Jenkins, I think most of the coaches would have said Jenkins would probably be the guy, but then after spring ball we saw Kwame wasn't going to lay down and just let somebody take his job," Richt said.

"So that's great. Competition is great. The depth at that position is good."

Football is a way of life for the Geathers family in Georgetown, S.C., including two older brothers in the NFL.

Robert Geathers, who played at Georgia from 2001-03, has 27.5 sacks in seven seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. Clifton Geathers played at South Carolina before he was Cleveland's sixth-round draft pick this year.

Then there is Jumpy Geathers, who played for New Orleans, Washington, Atlanta and Denver and continues to set the football-first tone as the brothers' uncle.

Kwame Geathers' current challenge of keeping Richt, Grantham and defensive line coach Rodney Garner happy may be a snap when compared with meeting his uncle's expectations.