In previous years, he was “Bubba” to the Georgia coaching staff – a quiet guy climbing up the depth chart.

Now, senior Fernando Velasco is going by his given name and is one of the leaders on offense.

The Wrens native started every game last year, and now, with several new faces on the offensive line, he has become a more vocal leader.

“I knew he was a great kid and he could communicate, but I’ve never seen that from him until this year,” Richt said.

“He’s looking around and seeing a bunch of puppies, and he knows if we’re going to have any kind of success, he’ll have to do a good job of leading.”

The senior has been moved from guard to center to provide stability in the middle of the line, and the new man in the middle has a new name.

“I call him ‘Fernando, sir’ now. He’s not ‘Bubba’ anymore,” Richt said.