Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Amarlo Herrera will start at the 'Mike' linebacker position Saturday against the South Carolina Gamecocks, according to a report in the Athens Banner-Herald.

"Amarlo's earned that right because of the way he's played in the first few games," defensive coordinator Todd Grantham told the Banner-Herald. "As a coach we tell players if you make plays, we're going to find a way to get you on the field. He's earned the right to play .... We'll stick with it and continue to work it."

Herrera shifted to the 'Mike' against Tennessee when Alec Ogletree returned from suspension and took over at the 'Mo' position.

Herrera, a 6'2", 245-pound sophomore, has 36 tackles for the undefeated Bulldogs (5-0, 3-0 SEC) this season.

"It was a little different at first trying to feel my way out," Herrera told the Banner-Herald. "After a few minutes, I got in the flow of it."

With Herrera's shift to the 'Mike' position, he'll be in a competition for playing time with senior Mike Gilliard. Both linebackers are expected to play, but the exact number of snaps for each player has yet to be determined.