Johnson and Taylor return; Dawgs' practice swift

ATHENS - Tony Taylor and Josh Johnson returned to Georgia’s spring football workouts Friday, giving the Bulldogs almost all of their impressive stable of linebackers on the field.

Taylor (illness) and Johnson (ankle) had missed the previous two days. Now the only linebacker not available is Jarvis Jackson, who is out all spring due to a shoulder injury.

“With all the guys healthy, we have a pretty good bunch, and it’s a good mix of some veteran guys and some younger guys who really can play,” Coach Mark Richt said.

Danny Verdun Wheeler (weakside), Taylor (middle) and Derrick White (strongside) worked with the first team Friday, and they’re being backed up by freshmen Dannell Ellerbe and Johnson and sophomore Brandon Miller.

“Those young linebackers are really starting to play better,” Richt said.

Johnson, particulary, has caught Richt’s eye with his physical play.

“He may have the most natural ability to knock people back,” Richt said. “He just really enjoys that part of the game.”

Miller is starting to develop in that area, Richt said.

Georgia’s veterans have noticed the progress of the team’s young linebackers, Taylor and White said.

“We feel great about our linebackers this year,” White said. “This could be one of best groups we’ve ever had.”