Category: Athens

Georgia football headquarters part of $80M expansion project

The University of Georgia Athletics Association unanimously approved an $80 million upgrade project to several campus athletic facilities.

At the start of the 2019 college football season, the University of Georgia Athletics Association unanimously voted to approve an $80 million upgrade project to several campus athletic facilities.

The majority of the money is allocated to the Bulldogs’ football operations.

J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Greg McGarity confirmed plans to advance the practice facility’s locker room, weight room, sports medicine department, and coaches’ offices.

Renovations also include further waterproofing Sanford Stadium’s covered lower levels and improving the grandstand of nearby Henry Field, the home court of the Dawgs’ storied tennis team.

 

 

Being Demetris Robertson

Can wideout Demetris Robertson finally breakout for Georgia football?

Or the life and times of D-Rob. The relative successes and limitations of Demetris Robertson last football season could be viewed as allegory for the Georgia passing offense as a whole. While he had some bright spots, he didn’t put up big enough numbers to be considered a national championship caliber starting wideout.

Back in March of 2019, head coach Kirby Smart was quoted as saying, “I think D-Rob’s stepped up.” But as the Georgia passing offense struggled, Robertson caught just 30 balls for 333 yards, with three touchdowns. He led the team with 3 catches in the Georgia-Auburn slugfest win on the plains.

The Savannah native signed with Cal out of high school and earned 2016 FWAA Freshman All-American status by catching 50 passes for 767 yards, with seven touchdowns. In 2017, Robertson caught seven passes for 70 yards before being injured and accepting a medical redshirt. He decided to transfer to his home state and UGA, where he could play immediately.

Log jammed in the deep lineup behind Jeremiah Holloman, Mecole Hardman, Riley Ridley and when-healthy Terry Godwin, Robertson was only thrown to twice with no competitions in 2018. He ran for 109 yards on four rushes, including a 72-yard score.

Sep 1, 2018; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Demetris Robertson (16) breaks tackles to run for a touchdown against the Austin Peay Governors during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The would-be biggest play of the UGA football season was robbed from him in 2019. Desperate for a late score, Jake Fromm found Roberston in the end zone in the Georgia-Carolina game, as the Sanford Stadium crowd erupted. In Athens myself at the time, I had chills as I recalled the famous Larry Munson line aloud, “The stadium is worse than bonkers.”

With some questionable at best game management head coaching decisions afterward and a rare miss by kicker Rodrigo Blankenship, the Bulldogs somehow found a way to lose to the downtrodden Gamecocks in double overtime. At that point, it was the biggest upset across the national college football landscape and may have ultimately cost UGA an at-large entry into the College Football Playoff, if all other things were equal. Georgia finished the final CFP rankings in slot #5 for a second consecutive season.

D-Rob has struggled with drops at times but is a smart wideout, generally aligning correctly and running the right routes, which his wide receiving core teammates did not do enough last season. Georgia left way too many points on the field in 2019, relying so heavily on D’Andre Swift’s running and the height and strong positioning play of grad transfer wideout Lawrence Cager. When those players were not healthy, outgoing offensive coordinator James Coley and quarterback Jake Fromm had no consistent answers.

Sep 17, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears wide receiver Demetris Robertson (8) runs the ball against the Texas Longhorns in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Cal won 50-43. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Could 2020 be a breakout year for the (6-0, 190) speedy fifth-year senior, who once showed so much promise as a true frosh in the Golden State? Can new UGA coordinator Todd Monken get more guys open in space?

 

Georgia football increasingly inks out of state talent

Under head coach Kirby Smart, Georgia football attracts more out of state talent than ever.

Looking down the list below of all the new Georgia Bulldogs football players, illustrates the full shift of the Georgia brand from regional to national prominence. UGA went national more than ever, with the addition of key graduate transfer students, in the early signing period and on traditional national signing day. More kids than ever across the country want to play football in Athens.

2020 Incoming Players:

Carson Beck QB 6-4 225 FL

Warren Brinson DT 6-4 305 FL

Jalen Kimber CB 6-0 170 TX

Chad Lindberg OL 6-6 315 TX

Justin Robinson WR 6-4 210 GA

MJ Sherman LB 6-2 235 Washington DC

Nazir Stackhouse DT 6-3 305 GA

Devin Willock OL 6-7 330 NJ

Major Burns DB 6-2 175 LA

Marcus Rosemy WR 6-3 195 FL

Jalen Carter DT 6-4 305 FL

Tate Rutledge OL 6-6 315 GA

Jared Zirkel K 6-3 185 TX

Kendall Milton RB 6-1 220 CA

Arian Smith WR 6-2 180 FL

Austin Blake OL 6-5 280 GA

Jermaine Burton WR 6-0 190 CA

Darnell Washington TE 6-7 260 NV

Kelee Ringo DB 6-2 205 AZ

Daijun Edwards RB 5-10 201 GA

Cameron Kinnie DL 6-3 265 GA

Ladd McConkey WR 6-0 175 GA

Broderick Jones OL 6-5 275 GA

Daran Branch DB 6-2 178 LA

Sedrick Van Pran OL 6-4 305 LA

Jamie Newman QB Grad Transfer-Wake Forest NC

Tre’ McKitty TE Grad Transfer-FSU FL

In all, six players played football in Florida last year, three in Texas and three in Louisiana. Four players came from out West and two from up in the Eastern Seaboard.

In his four year head coaching career to-date, Kirby Smart’s Dawgs created a growing full-country impression by winning the SEC, winning three of four at the big neutral site game in Jacksonville, beating Notre Dame twice, playing in three straight SEC championship games, winning a Rose Bowl and making a national championship game.

One clear goal remains.

 

 

 

Georgia football finishes with No. 1 recruiting class for second time in three years

Georgia football finishes with the #1 ranked recruiting class in all of college football for the second time in three years.

This Wednesday at 11:42 a.m., 247Sports called it quits in the recruiting battle mayhem.

Via Twitter, they officially crowned the Georgia Bulldogs as the #1 recruiting class in all of college football for the second time in just three years.

The Dawgs have 4 5-stars, 15 4-stars and 6 3-stars ready to go for the 2020-2021 season this coming fall.

The SEC has 9 of the top 25 recruiting classes, along with six teams in the top 8.  It is safe to say that with the exception of Clemson and Ohio State, the SEC swept the recruiting frenzy with the Dawgs leading the charge.

From the looks of it, Kirby Smart is fed up with falling short late in the season.  Since the arrival of Kirby the Dawgs have been having more success than they’ve had in decades, but it doesn’t seem to be enough for Smart and his staff.

Click here for a list of all Georgia’s signees, commits and transfers.

It’s a GREAT day to be a Georgia Bulldog.

Twitter reacts to 5-star OL Broderick Jones decision

Twitter reactions from the news of Georgia football signing of 5-star offensive tackle, Broderick Jones.

5-star offensive tackle Broderick Jones has made his final collegiate decision. He will be joining the Georgia Bulldogs along with the some of the top recruits in the nation.

Georgia has the #1 ranked recruiting class in the country with 4 5-stars and 15 4-stars, according to 247Sports.

On Wednesday Twitter reacted to the signing by Georgia.

Georgia football great on James Cook misdemeanors: “Could’ve let em walk”

Georgia football great Davin Bellamy shares his thoughts on Twitter about the recent reports of RB James Cook’s misdemeanor charges.

Georgia running back James Cook was arrested early Saturday morning on two misdemeanor charges of possession of an open container of an alcoholic beverage and driving without a valid license.

He was booked at 1:46 a.m. and released at 2:57 a.m. and had a $1,000 bond for each.

Georgia football great Davin Bellamy, who is currently on the Cincinnati Bengal practice squad, shared his thoughts on the matter.

Now I’m not saying Cook should not be disciplined for his actions, but based on the facts we have at this moment, this really is not too much of a story.

#UGA24: Future Dawgs post amazing reaction videos to Twitter after being accepted into Georgia

Students who were accepted Early Action via Georgia admissions posted amazing reaction videos to Twitter after becoming members of #UGA24.

On Friday, high school students who applied early action to the University of Georgia were made aware if they were going to be future Bulldogs.

For those who received the good news, this was more than just another college acceptance letter; it was a dream come true.

Students who were not accepted, don’t give up. Work hard and good things will come. Remember, all roads lead to Athens.

This year, Georgia received 16,585 early action applications and made 7,025 offers of admissions.

Kylie Dunlap was one of those fortunate enough to be admitted. A senior at Cherokee High School in Canton, Georgia, Kylie’s excitement poured through the phone screens of everyone who watched her reaction video on Twitter. The joy that not only overtook Kylie, but her parents as well, was contagious.

This video of Kylie and her family prompted me to search for some more clips of soon-to-be Dawgs receiving the best news possible.

And they did not disappoint.

Here’s Kylie’s priceless reaction.

Congratulations, #UGA24. You said your prayers, you worked your tails off, you loved your parents and you shouted ‘Go Dawgs’ every Saturday since you can remember.

You earned this.

Did I miss any? Send me an email (jvitale1@usatoday.com) or a direct message to the @UGAFootballLive Twitter account with a link to the tweet or Instagram post. 

 

Photographer injured during Georgia football game shares pic she took just before hit

UGA student photographer Chamberlain Smith was knocked unconscious during freak accident this Saturday. See the pic she got moments before.

It was a scary moment this Saturday in Auburn, Alabama as Georgia running back Brian Herrien was pushed out of bounds, running into UGA photographer Chamberlain Smith and causing her to go unconscious.

There was about a 10 minute delay on the game as the whole stadium sat in silence praying for Smith’s wellbeing.

Obviously the incident was a freak accident with no one at blame.

Herrien, the Dawgs senior running back, showed his support and how concerned he was for Smith.

Herrien truly did show compassion in not wanting to go back to his sideline.  He cared more about Smith than he did the game.  Some things are bigger than football.

Thankfully Smith was alright, being diagnosed with a mild concussion.  Not only did Smith get out of there okay, she got one hell of a picture of the man who took her out.

Nothing but love here in Athens and thankfully Smith is alright.