ATHENS - Merritt Hall is set to complete an improbable climb from unrecruited walk-on to starter for the nation's sixth-ranked team.

That is, if he actually starts.

Hall, a redshirt freshman just put on scholarship this month, is Georgia's first-team fullback. That much is clear. But technically he won't be a starter in Saturday's opener if the Bulldogs open in a four-receiver set, or something that doesn't require a fullback.

Smartly, Hall wasn't lobbying offensive coordinator Mike Bobo to call a traditional run play.

"Coach Bobo knows more than me about running an offense. So I'll trust him in doing that," Hall said.

Bobo was non-committal, understandably.

"It hasn't crossed my mind," he said, smiling. "I consider them all starters if they start in their personnel group. But I guess that is important to them.

"I just want to get some yards on the first play."

When it comes to getting yards, the Bulldogs seem convinced the undersized but pugnacious Hall can lead the way.

It was Hall's performance on scout team last year first made Mike Bobo think he could play. But not his play at fullback: It was when Hall was on scout-team defense. Hall seemed oblivious to his 5-foot-11 frame and would rush the passer and go one-on-one with Georgia's tailbacks.

That's when the coaches decided Hall should get a look at fullback.

"We're looking for a guy who's not afraid to go in there and basically be a glorified guard, and block," Bobo said. "And he's been willing to do it."

Hall admits that starting would be a big deal to him. His goal was always to start for a Division I program - but his only scholarship offers out of The Wesleyan School in 2011 were from the FCS level.

Hall said it hit him that he'd have an opportunity this spring, when he started working with some first-teamers. Now he has realized his chance to be a starter - or at least a first-teamer.

But now he has to keep the job.

"Of course. Once you're on top, you've gotta keep that position," Hall said. "I've always had my family behind me, my Dad telling me, once you get to that position you've gotta work even harder to stay on top. It's easier getting on the top than staying there."