The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Bulldogs lose center Hill for rest of season

- By Chip Towers chip. towers@ ajc. com

ATHENS — Georgia is going to have a considerab­le hole to fill in the middle of its offense after center Trey Hill was sidelined for the rest of the season with a knee issue.

Hill, a 6- foot- 4, 330- pound junior from Warner Robins, underwent an arthroscop­ic procedure on both knees this week and will miss the remainder of the season, family members said. The junior had the longest starting streak on Georgia’s offense, at 26 games.

Hill played with pain and discomfort in both knees all season. He had intended to hold off until after the season to have them surgically examined, but UGA doctors decided to go ahead and take a look this week. They discovered meniscus tears in both knees.

It is not considered a serious injury and should not affect Hill’s abilit y to play going forward. However, Hill is a draft- eligible junior and plans to explore next year’s NFL draft.

In the meantime, the No. 8 Bulldogs ( 6- 2) have t wo regular- season games remaining, against Vanderbilt ( 0- 8) on Saturday in Athens ( 4 p. m., SECN) and Missouri ( 4- 3), which could be played Dec. 12 in Columbia, Mo. The Bulldogs also will accept a bowl bid.

Who will replace Hill?

The Bulldogs have t wo good options in sophomore Warren Ericson and freshman Sedrick Van Pran. Both have filled in for Hill in games this season.

Ericson ( 6- 4, 305) also plays guard and has one start there. Van Pran ( 6- 4, 300) was rated the top center prospect in the nation by 247Sports when he signed with Georgia out of New Orleans.

 ?? COURTESY OF KEVIN SNYDER ?? UGA center Trey Hill had arthroscop­ic surgery on both knees this week and will miss the rest of the season.
COURTESY OF KEVIN SNYDER UGA center Trey Hill had arthroscop­ic surgery on both knees this week and will miss the rest of the season.

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