Image: Online Athens

Chris Low over at ESPN’s SEC blog predicts Caleb King will be a break-out performer in the SEC in 2009:

Georgia tailback Caleb King: One of the most intriguing position battles next season in the SEC will be the Georgia starting tailback job. The front-runner is King, although Richard Samuel will also be a big part of the rotation. But with Knowshon Moreno gone and after so much hype about his potential, this is the 5-foot-11, 212-pound King’s time to shine and he knows it. He rushed for just 247 yards on 61 carries last season, but Moreno was the centerpiece of the Georgia running game. Here’s betting that King seizes this opportunity during his junior season and showcases what kind of back he really is behind an offensive line that should be one of the strengths of the team in 2009.

This is the second time I’ve noticed this discussion come up in the last few days. First pondered by the awesome Bubba n’ Earl a few days ago.

If King is going to separate himself in the crowded backfield early 2009 is certainly the time to do it. As mentioned in the excerpt Richard Samuel will miss the spring with a wrist injury and leave the door wide open for King to solidify his grip on the starting spot.

I really thought King would wow us a little more last year after showing such promise early on but he disappeared completely after the botched blocking assignment in the Florida game.

I like his slippery style though but I hope that he can get a little better at moving the pile forward. His moves and vision seem excellent though he often he seems to go down at first contact.

There is no doubt though, the ball is in his court. What will it be?