Every season brings its share of new faces, but for some reason this year’s Georgia team seems to have more than usual. With so much of the two-deep sophomores or younger, it’s likely that there are several 2007 contributors we haven’t seen much of – if at all.

It’s a good time to become familiar with some of the names we’ll be hearing about in the next couple of weeks. This is by no means an exhaustive breakdown of the entire team, but these are several guys who could be thrust from obscurity into key roles this season.

Offense

• Tailback Knowshon Moreno (RFr.): If there’s a newcomer who needs no introduction, it’s Moreno. The New Jersey native had a strong year of practice and turned heads at G-Day. Though the running back depth chart seems solid with Lumpkin and Brown returning, Moreno will push for carries.
• Offensive tackle Trinton Sturdivant (Fr.): Some are calling him one of the keys to the season, and that’s an awful lot to put on a true freshman’s broad shoulders. But the job of protecting Matthew Stafford from the important left tackle position will likely fall to Sturdivant.
• Offensive guard Scott Haverkamp (Jr.): Haverkamp is another newcomer to the program (via JUCO) who might find himself in a starting role. He chose Georgia over Arizona State, Illinois, and also had interest from FSU.
• Offensive guard Chris Davis (RFr.): Davis will be new on the field, but he at least has a year in the program. That experience gives him the edge over several of the other young linemen.
• Tight end Tripp Chandler (Jr.): Chandler takes over the legacy of Georgia tight ends from Martrez Milner. Chandler had 2 receptions for 37 yards and a touchdown last season. His first career catch was memorable: he caught a 21-yard touchdown pass in traffic on a 4th-and-1 play against Mississippi State. Chandler will be suspended for the first game of the season, so Coleman Watson and NaDerris Ward will get an opportunity.

Defense

• Defensive end Marcus Howard (Sr.): Howard is hardly a newcomer, but it couldn’t be easy to make a splash alongside former defensive ends Moses and Johnson. Howard began his career at linebacker but has since made the move to the line. He might still be considered undersized at 235 lbs., but he has speed and strength to compensate. It’s true that Howard might be used situationally, but that will depend on the progress of the younger ends.
• Defensive end Roderick Battle (So.): Battle is the other likely starter at defensive end. He, too, is a little undersized for the typical SEC defensive end. JUCO transfer Jarius Wynn could push Battle before long.
• Defensive tackle Geno Atkins (So.): Atkins saw limited time as a true freshman last season, but he’ll be placed in a much larger role this year as a possible starter on the defensive front. Sophomore Kade Weston and JUCO transfer Corey Irvin will compete here.
• Linebacker Akeem Dent (RFr.): Though Dewberry, Miller, and Ellerbe seem established as the starting linebackers, Dent might be the reserve most ready to step in if necessary. I see him in a "Danny Verdun-Wheeler" role where he might be the first off the bench at any linebacker position.
• Safety C.J. Byrd (Jr.): Byrd is a known name to more serious observers of the team. He has contributed for several seasons on special teams and saw more time at safety last season. He’ll step in as a starter this year replacing Tra Battle.
• Safety Reshad Jones (RFr.): Everyone saw Jones at G-Day, so he’s hardly a secret anymore. The only question will be finding a spot and playing time for this playmaker.

Which other new faces will you be watching during the preseason?