Jackson back in starting OLB spot

ATHENS - Linebacker Jarvis Jackson was cleared for full contact on Friday and immediately moved into the starting job on the weakside, linebackers coach John Jancek said Friday.

“Jarvis is coming on,” Jancek said. “Don’t jinx him now.”

Jarvis Jackson missed all of spring practice due to offseason shoulder surgery. His move means an uncertain future for Danny Verdun Wheeler, who had been the starter on the weakside until twisting his ankle last Saturday.

Verdun Wheeler will compete with Brandon Miller for the starting job on the strongside when he returns to practice, which could be as early as Monday. Tony Taylor is the Bulldogs’ projected starter at middle linebacker.

“There are all in flux, but I feel good about Tony and Jarvis,” Jancek said.

Tavares Kearney’s decision to have season-ending knee surgery left Jancek with just seven scholarship linebackers.

Of those seven, one was moved to linebacker this week (Olaolu Sanni-Osomo), one was awarded a scholarship this season (Jamario Smith) and three have been limited this fall due to injury (Verdun Wheeler, Jackson and Dannell Ellerbe).

“We’re hanging in there,” Jancek said.

Kearney will serve his one-game suspension next year, Coach Mark Richt said.

“At Georgia, we serve our suspensions,” he said. “It’s always been the first available game.”