Byrd moves to backup safety

ATHENS - True freshman C.J. Byrd has taken advantage of Drew Williams’ injury to move into the backup safety role behind Tra Battle, Richt said.

Williams, a walk-on, has missed significant contact work due to a shoulder injury. That injury has cut into his practice time and given Byrd more repetitions at the same time. Byrd got a lot of work in Thursday’s scrimmage.

“He did some good things. He did some bad things,” defensive coordinator and secondary coach Willie Martinez said. “At the moment, you get upset (by the mistakes), but I know it’s all good for C.J. Byrd.”

At wide receiver, A.J. Bryant has overcome his shoulder injury to retake his place as the team’s third wide receiver, Richt said. T.J. Gartrell is in the four position, and Kenneth Harris is now fifth, Richt said.