ATLANTA--One of the top priorities for the Georgia State football team this spring is developing its rebuilt offensive line, which graduated four starters from last year's team.

The Panthers held their sixth session of spring practice Thursday morning at the GSU Practice Complex.

Georgia State's only returnee to the starting offensive line is junior right tackle Grant King, a 6-5, 295-pounder from Columbia, S.C., who has started all 22 games the Panthers have played.

But even though King is the lone returning starter, head coach Bill Curry likes what he sees so far from this unit.

"Even though these are new starters, they are guys who have been in the program and have played in games the last two years. They are not raw rookies," said Curry.

"We're not there yet, but we're already more athletic on the offensive line, and I think we're going to be fine there."

One of the standouts thus far in spring practice has been junior Ulrick John, who takes over at the important left tackle position, which protects the quarterback's blind side.

GSU's biggest lineman at 6-8 and 290 pounds, John actually started at three different positions in the first five games of 2011, filling in at left tackle (vs. Clark Atlanta), center (vs. Houston) and left guard (vs. Murray State).

Also stepping are junior guard right guard Harrison Clottey, who gained starting experience in 2010, and sophomore center Tim Wynn, who played as a backup in 2010 before taking a redshirt year last fall.

Junior Michael Davis is projected at left guard but could also play center. He will be limited to non-contact work this spring as he recovers from a season-ending broken leg. He started at center at Jacksonville State last fall before sustaining the injury in practice the following week.

Top backups on the offensive line include junior guard Cade Yates and junior tackle Ramell Davis.

The Panthers' next practice is Friday at 8 a.m.

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