[JRL]

By CARTER STRICKLAND
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 11/20/07
Athens — Rennie Curran was a constant fixture around Georgia even before he joined the team.
Every practice and every game he could squeeze in, the linebacker from Brookwood was there on the sideline.
"He has been up here since I can remember," quarterback Matthew Stafford said.
Now that Curran, a true freshman, is actually on the team, he is making sure nobody forgets him.
"Man," cornerback Asher Allen said, "every tackle he is there, just hawking to the ball."
Curran made 13 of those tackles against Kentucky. A dozen of them were solo. Curran was named the SEC freshman of the week for his performance.
"It is not easy to find ... you are looking for a guy that can play that fast and hit that solidly," Georgia coach Mark Richt said. "His focal point is right down the cylinder, and he is able to hit it most of the time because of his athleticism, speed and instinct."
All three are what finally propelled Curran onto the field. It has been a given since the first day of fall camp that Curran was going to play. But, at the time, it was assumed he would play as a backup.
But during the week off after Vanderbilt, Curran started to better understand how to use his talents. That, coupled with the fact Florida ran a set that fit his skills better than Darius Dewberry's, led to Curran's first start. Since that time, Curran has started twice and has made 29 tackles in the past four games. Nobody on the team has more.
"He makes a lot of plays," Allen said, "and he plays with a lot of heart and a fierce mentality. He can be a complete linebacker."