On talent and hype alone, the 2009 Georgia freshmen football class came in garnering phrases such as ‘potentially great,’ ‘cornerstone types’ and ‘just plain good.’

But incorporating an overwhelming sense of unity along with the vigilant collective eye of the upperclassmen could make the class special.

While still in high school, cell phone numbers were exchanged between each new commit, jumpstarting the solidarity.

“I met Aaron [Murray] and Zach [Mettenberger] and we all wanted to stay in touch because we knew how much talent we had,” freshman linebacker Chase Vasser said. “We wanted to be the class. That’s all we talk about, is let’s be the class. Let’s give them no reason to doubt us.”

Georgia returns many experienced players, with the defense and most of the offense laden with juniors and seniors who should commandeer most of the action.

In place of pouting over a lack of instant opportunities, these freshmen have put stock in using the older players to their advantage.

“Some guys in the past when they come in, they’re scared to ask questions, thinking they may get in trouble,” said senior defensive end Marcus Washington. “But the only way you’re going to learn is to ask. You weren’t born knowing how to play football. So I stay real approachable and tell those guys if they have questions, ask them. And I think they take that to heart, because that’s the only way you’re going to play.”

Added Vasser: “At first I was intimidated because I didn’t know if I was going to get to play. But then as I talked to everybody they said ‘look, if you redshirt, that’s actually a bigger benefit, because you learn more and also you get bigger.’ And I was like, ‘OK.’”

Still, coaches may find it hard to keep some of these players on the sideline.

Tight end Orson Charles and receivers Marlon Brown and Rantavious Wooten have used preseason camp as a launching pad, exploding into the mix to have balls thrown their way

Murray and Mettenberger are fighting for the backupquarterback role, and cornerback Branden Smith has impressed everyone with his speed and ball skills.

“They are all real eager to learn and they want to contribute as soon as they can,” said quarterback Joe Cox. “They’ve definitely caught on a lot faster than I thought. That’s really good when you have young guys like that because they want to play because they are pushing the older guys, and they have to get to the point where they understand and help out.” With early success it’s easy to forget these freshmen are going through their first weeks of college football practice. Moments such as Charles forgetting to fasten his chin-strap in place, or linebacker Mike Gilliard going through a drill with his pads too high remind us of their true age.

“We’re definitely not in high school,” freshman cornerback Jordan Love said. “It’s just a different speed.”

“Oh yeah, the first week we got here we went to the weight room and started running and the first day it was a rude awakening,” Gilliard said. “I just had to grind it out all summer and work hard with the team.”

The new crop arrived in July, eager to learn from proven veterans who had maneuvered through player-led summer workouts and preseason camp many times before. The older guys took to the task of bringing the newcomers up to speed.

“[Receiver] Michael Moore was talking about how much farther along Wooten and Marlon Brown are compared to when he first came to Georgia in his first summer,” head coach Mark Richt said. “He was halfway bragging on himself that the veterans had done a good job teaching the young guys. He was like, ‘we did a better job teaching those guys than the older guys did us.”

Freshmen being introduced to the ‘Georgia way’ is nothing new, as every year upwards of 25 fresh faces infiltrate the locker room. But after an injury-plagued 2008 season, the importance of quality depth throughout the roster is enhanced. The first-year players have to take solace in understanding that starting may not be an option, but they’re still just as important.

“Just going into the SEC, we know how tough it is,” junior linebacker Rennie Curran said. “On any given play anyone can get hurt. The next guy has to be ready to step up. It doesn’t matter if you’re a freshman or a sophomore–you’ve got to be ready to go. Anything can happen, so guys get their reps and show coaches what they can do in game situations.”

The simple fact-of-the matter is these freshmen are slowly gaining the respect of their teammates, and that’s more than half the battle. Whenever a young player can get into the weight room or onto the field with an upperclassman, everyone wins. They’re starting to become less of a liability, and, with that, playing times become more probable.

“Everybody wants to contribute at this point,” Washington said. “Nobody is content with just being part of the team. Everybody wants to be on the field and contribute and help the team win.”