ATHENS - By process of elimination, Ramik Wilson is in position have a starting job. The sophomore may be worthy of it anyway.

First Cornelius Washington, last year's outside linebacker starter, was moved to end. So was Ray Drew, the sophomore who had put on weight and thus out-grown the position. Then came word that junior Chase Vasser, who finished spring as the first-teamer, was suspended the first two games following a DUI arrest.

So now Wilson is getting first-team reps at the Sam (strongside) linebacker position for Georgia, with All-American Jarvis Jones opposite him at the Will.

Now this is where you have to issue the caveat that defensive coordinator Todd Grantham likes to move his players around a lot, especially the outside linebackers and defensive ends. But for what it's worth, the Sam linebackers at Sunday's practice were Wilson, Vasser, junior T.J. Stripling, freshman James DeLoach and Dexter Morant. The Will linebackers were Jones, freshman Jordan Jenkins, junior Reuben Faloughi, and freshman Josh Dawson.

Wilson was asked on Saturday if he felt he had a great opportunity.

"We've got a lot of good freshman," he said. "So it's down to the coaches, whoever's number they call."

Wilson only played in eight games last year, but he was always in the mix at both inside and outside linebacker. Then he had a good spring, being named the defense's Most Improved Player.

"I feel real good. I got bigger, stronger, faster," Wilson said. "I'm just out there grinding, to become great."