Offensive tackle Mark Beard had some simple advice to his roommate, junior college transfer nose guard Chris Mayes: absorb that playbook.

AJ Reynolds/Staff
Georgia defensive end Ray Drew stands on the field during an NCAA college football spring practice in Athens, Ga., Saturday, March 2, 2013.

“If you can’t learn the plays, you’re not going to get on the field, point-blank,” said Beard, who started two games last season after transferring from Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College.

Junior Mike Thornton is getting first-team work for now at nose guard.

Mayes and freshman John Atkins “bring a lot of power, a lot of size,” defensive end Ray Drew said. “I believe by the time the season rolls around, by the time we get done with spring, those guys are going to be monsters, they’re going to be great.”

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