Georgia offensive lineman Earnest Greene III (71) and others celebrate the start of the fourth quarter during their game against Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium, Saturday, October 11, 2025, in Auburn, Al. Georgia won 20-10. (Jason Getz / AJC)
— No one better personifies Georgia’s offensive line in 2025 than Earnest Greene.
There’s talent, as Greene has shown when he’s able to be on the field for Georgia. The problem is that a back injury limited him throughout the first half of Georgia’s 2025 schedule. He played in only two of the first six games. When he was on the field, it wasn’t a great performance.
He returned to the starting lineup against Ole Miss, plugging back in at right tackle. It marked the first time all season that Greene would play in the second half of a game for Georgia.
“It meant everything, honestly,” Greene said this week. “You never take anything for granted, especially playing this sport, but, you know, just having time away from the field and away from the guys and away from teammates sometimes, not being there with them on Saturdays kind of eats at you, so just making sure to stay on top of what I can stay on top of as far as my program, really attacking so I can get back out there with my guys.”
Greene’s return came sooner than expected but it was all the more welcome. The Ole Miss contest marked the first time all season that Georgia did not roll out a new offensive line combination. In the win over Florida, Georgia repeated the same starting offensive line combination from the previous game for the first time all year.
Georgia still rotated along the offensive line, with Juan Gaston subbing in at guard and tackle. But Greene’s return helps offer tremendous flexibility for the Georgia offensive line.
“He was able to go probably longer and more in the game than we even expected,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said of Greene. “And we have to be smart and keep him on a pitch count and keep his growth where it needs to be, but he’s working hard. He’s one of those guys that’s been part of that group for a long time. He’s a good leader.”
With Georgia easing Greene’s workload throughout the game, he’s able to be at his best in crunch time.
On Georgia’s final two drives against Florida, the Bulldogs ran for 72 yards, with half coming on Chauncey Bowens’s game-winning touchdown run.
Prior to those final two drives, the Bulldogs had only 66 rushing yards on the day.
The offensive line gets better as the game progresses. As Georgia heads into its final four games of the regular season, the hope is that the offensive line continues to do the same.
“That’s a premium plus or advantage you could say as far as just being able to switch guys in and whatnot for whatever the situation may be,” Greene said. “I’d definitely say it just comes back to how hard we work and being able to prepare and stay ready for whenever your name’s called.”
Greene hasn’t had the season he wanted. That doesn’t mean he has to accept it as a lost year. He fought to get back and play alongside his teammates.
That made a difference against Florida. Georgia hopes he continues to do the same to close out 2025.
“I’ve been playing football since second grade, so, you know, I really love the sport and love these guys and the O-line room and the offense and defense,” Greene said. “Really t
his whole team.”
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