Category: Player Profiles

Georgia football player card: LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson comes to Athens after being ranked as a four-star outside linebacker prospect

Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Linebacker (No. 10):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-1

Weight: 235 pounds

Hometown: Hyattsville, Maryland

High School: St. Frances Academy

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson comes to Athens after being ranked as a four-star outside linebacker prospect. Dumas-Johnson may project as more of an inside linebacker in Dan Lanning and Georgia’s defensive scheme.

Dumas-Johnson committed to UGA over schools like Auburn, Michigan, Florida, Maryland, Penn State, and Texas A&M. He was ranked as the No. 189 overall recruit in the class of 2021. Dumas-Johnson is widely regarded as one of the best linebackers in his class.

Jamon Dumas-Johnson and St. Frances Academy are featured on HBO’s β€œThe Cost of Winning” documentary. His speed and versatility will translate well to the college level.

Here’s a look back at when Dumas-Johnson committed to the University of Georgia:

[vertical-gallery id=43171]

 

Georgia football player card: RB Zamir White

Georgia Bulldogs running back Zamir White is expected to start again for Georgia in 2021.

Running Back Zamir White (No. 3):

Class: Junior

Height: 6-0

Weight: 215 pounds

Hometown: Laurinburg, N.C.

High School: Scotland High School

Georgia Bulldogs running back Zamir “Zeus” White came to Athens as a five-star recruit. White was the top-rated RB prospect in the class of 2018 despite tearing his ACL in the high school playoffs as a senior. White tore it again before his first season at Georgia in 2018. White took a redshirt that season, so he is only a junior despite this being his fourth season in Athens.

Zeus was the co-winner of David Jacobs Award for overcoming injury during the 2019 season along with quarterback D’Wan Mathis. White changed the script in 2019, when he stayed healthy en route to 408 rushing yards on 78 carries.

White started at running back for all 10 of Georgia’s games in 2020. White is a physical running back who can remain upright through a lot of contact. He finished the 2020 season with 779 rushing yards on 144 carries.

White shared the backfield with James Cook, Kendall Milton, Daijun Edwards and Kenny McIntosh last season. The same running back room returns for Kirby Smart and Georgia in 2021. The Dawgs got a big boost when White and Cook announced they would return for a fourth season.

The North Carolina product is Georgia’s top rushing back, but he does not excel as much in the passing game. Cook and McIntosh are Georgia’s top receiving backs. White only caught six passes for 37 yards last year. His ability to improve as a receiver will be critical for his NFL draft stock.

White put up insane numbers in high school. He scored over 100 touchdowns and finished his career as the ninth highest rusher in North Carolina High School history with over 7,000 yards. He averaged over 14 yards per carry during his senior season. His Scotland highlights are some of the most impressive high school highlights you will ever see:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NWa6HolpNg

[listicle id=42616]

Georgia running back Zamir White (3) moves the ball past Georgia defensive back Jalen Kimber (6) during the Georgia G-Day Spring football game in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, April 17, 2021. Joshua L. Jones, Athens Banner-Herald

Georgia football player card: LB Smael Mondon Jr.

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. enrolled early in Athens and participated in spring practice.

Smael Mondon Jr., Linebacker (No. 2):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-3

Weight: 220 pounds

Hometown: Dallas, Georgia

High School: Paulding County High School

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. enrolled early in Athens and participated in spring practice. The Paulding County product recorded five tackles in the G-Day spring game. Mondon Jr. comes to the University of Georgia as a decorated five-star recruit.

Mondon Jr. has good size, length, and speed. He is a tackling machine and could earn significant playing time as a freshman. He was all over the field during his days at Paulding County, where Mondon Jr. played wide receiver and running back in addition to linebacker.

Mondon Jr. projects to be a depth piece on Dan Lanning’s defense and a special teams player. Lanning’s defense rotates a high number of defenders every season, so there will be opportunity for Mondon Jr.; Georgia has a loaded linebackers room again.

The five-star recruit will compete with returning inside linebackers Quay Walker, Nakobe Dean, Trezmen Marshall, Rian Davis and Channing Tindall for playing time at the inside linebacker position.

The lengthy linebacker has some excellent high school football highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hppb7dWT5uM

[listicle id=42577]

 

Georgia football player card: DB Nyland Green

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Nyland Green (Newton High School) will have an opportunity to earn playing time right away.

Defensive back Nyland Green (No. 1):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-1

Weight: 185 lbs

Hometown: Convington, Georgia

High School: Newton High School

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Nyland Green will have an opportunity to earn playing time right away. Green comes to Athens as a four-star recruit who looks to join fellow Covington, Georgia, alumnus Eric Stokes as standout Georgia Bulldogs.

The former Newton High School star was the No. 5 defensive back prospect in the class of 2021. He was ranked as the No. 69 overall player. Green played both defensive back and wide receiver in high school.

Nyland Green will compete with Kelee Ringo, Ameer Speed, Lovasea Carroll, Brandon Turnage and Jalen Kimber to be a starting outside cornerback. Georgia’s secondary lost four players to the 2021 NFL draft — one former defensive back went undrafted — and one to the NCAA transfer portal.

Overall, Georgia’s secondary is expected to be one of the weaknesses of the 2021-2022 squad. Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs return a lot of talent at safety, but Smart has acknowledged the weakness and added a few players via the NCAA transfer portal.

Green’s signing was huge for Georgia. The Dawgs had a solid defensive back class with Nyland Green, David Daniel, Kamari Lassiter and Javon Bullard. Georgia finished with the No. 4 class of 2021 nationally.

[listicle id=42492]

Georgia football player card: WR George Pickens

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver George Pickens tore his ACL this offseason and is expected to miss a portion of the upcoming football season

Wide Receiver George Pickens (No. 1):

Class: Junior

Height: 6-3

Weight: 190 lbs

Hometown: Hoover, Alabama

High School: Hoover High School

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver George Pickens tore his ACL this offseason and is expected to miss a portion of the college football season. Pickens is ranked one of the top returning receivers in the country. He will be eligible for the 2022 NFL draft.

In eight games last season, Pickens hauled in 36 catches for 513 yards and six touchdowns. Though his overall numbers weren’t as big, he averaged one more catch per game (4.5) and more yards per game (12.2) than as a freshman.

Pickens began his career at Georgia with eight touchdowns and 727 receiving yards as a true freshman.

Pickens came to Athens as a highly touted five-star recruit. He saved his best game for last in 2019. Pickens shredded the Baylor Bears for 175 receiving yards on 12 catches (both career highs for Pickens) en route to winning MVP honors at the 2020 Sugar Bowl.

Kirby Smart and Georgia will need other receivers to step up in Pickens’ absence. Jermaine Burton, Darnell Washington, Arian Smith, Adonai Mitchell, Dominick Blaylock and Kearis Jackson will play a larger role in games with Pickens out.

The Bulldog offense looked much better to end the 2021 college football season under quarterback J.T. Daniels.

[vertical-gallery id=42232]

Sept. 26, 2020; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver George Pickens (1) during the third quarter of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Georgia won the game 37-10. Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

 

Georgia football player card: LB Rian Davis

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Rian Davis played in seven games throughout the 2020 college football season

Rian Davis, Linebacker (No. 0):

Class: Redshirt sophomore

Height: 6-2

Weight: 230 pounds

Hometown: Apopka, Florida

High School: Wekiva High School

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Davis played in seven games during the 2020 college football season. He recorded one tackle and primarily contributed as a special teams player. Davis changed to jersey No. 0 from No. 12 this offseason.

The Wekiva High School star redshirted during his freshman year in 2019. He appeared in the home loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Davis came to Athens as a four-star recruit and a top 100 prospect. He tore his ACL as a senior in high school (four games in). Davis, an Orlando-area recruit, enrolled early at the University of Georgia and was healthy enough to participate in spring practice before his freshman season.

Davis will be a depth piece on Dan Lanning’s defense, which rotates a high number of defenders every season. Georgia has a stacked linebackers room once again.

The former four-star recruit will compete with returning linebackers Quay Walker, Nakobe Dean, Trezmen Marshall and Channing Tindall for playing time at the inside linebacker position.

[vertical-gallery id=42200]

Georgia LB Monty Rice drops highlight video ahead of NFL Draft

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Monty Rice declared for the 2021 NFL draft this offseason. Here are his highlights.

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Monty Rice declared for the 2021 NFL draft this offseason. Now, the James Clemens High School product will look to impress NFL scouts and find an NFL home.

Rice leaves the University of Georgia with an impressive resume. He racked up 49 total tackles in 2020 and forced two fumbles in four seasons.

Rice finished the 2019 season as a second-team All-SEC performer. Rice recorded a team-best 89 tackles in 2019. He helped Georgia have the top run defense in the country in 2019.

Rice came to Athens as a low four-star or high three-star recruit depending on the recruiting service. Rice proved himself right away and was a big reason UGA didn’t allow a rushing touchdown in 2019. Overall, he was a key piece on some of the most impressive defenses in the country throughout his career.

Rice and Georgia’s defense held opposing teams to the lowest yards per carry average in the nation last season. Rice’s sound gap integrity and consistent tackling helped Georgia’s run defense be so efficient.

Here’s Monty Rice’s career highlights from his time at the University of Georgia:

Monty Rice’s highlights show off some of his top strengths: tackling in the open field, play recognition and his ability to force fumbles. He has the talent to play right away on early downs in the NFL.

[vertical-gallery id=38550]

Former Georgia football WR picks transfer destination

Former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Matt Landers entered the NCAA transfer portal following the 2020 season. Now, he’s headed to Toledo.

Former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Matt Landers entered the NCAA transfer portal following the 2020 season. Now, the St. Petersburg High School product is transferring to the Toledo Rockets football program.

Matt Landers will join Toledo as a member of the junior class. He will be immediately eligible for the Rockets. We wish him luck as he looks for a larger role with his new team.

Landers came to Athens, Georgia, as a three-star recruit. He is an excellent blocker. Improved consistency would go a long way for Landers. He played in nine regular season games during the 2020 season, but ultimately he fell belowGeorge Pickens, Kearis Jackson, Arian Smith, Jermaine Burton, and Demetris Robertson on the wide receiver depth chart at Georgia.

Matt Landers will be a mid-year enrollee for the Toledo Rockets. Toledo announced the move via their official Twitter account:

[vertical-gallery id=39435]

 

Georgia football DL Netori Johnson picks transfer destination

Georgia Bulldogs lineman Netori Johnson entered the NCAA transfer portal earlier this offseason and is now transferring to Middle Tennessee

Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Netori Johnson entered the NCAA transfer portal earlier this offseason and is now transferring to Middle Tennessee. Johnson was looking to break out during his junior season at Georgia, but didn’t see the field much.

Johnson switched positions to end the 2018 season and now has collegiateΒ  experience on the defensive side of the football. The six-foot-four, 320 pounder came to the University of Georgia as a well-regarded offensive line recruit.

Johnson was impactful in limited playing time throughout 2019, where he played in four games. He recorded a sack against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and secured a fourth down stop against Murray State in 2019. It will be interesting to see if Netori Johnson plays defensive line or offensive line for the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.

In 2020, Johnson only played in the season opener against the Arkansas Razorbacks. With a conference-only schedule, the Bulldogs had limited playing time available for some of the depth players.

Netori Johnson is a former four-star prospect out of Cedar Grove High School. We wish him the best with Middle Tennessee.

This offseason is unique and will have a lot amount of roster turnover because players don’t lose a year of eligibility for the 2020 college football season. Johnson is one of many Georgia Bulldogs to enter the transfer portal this offseason.

Johnson announced his decision to transfer to Middle Tennessee via his Twitter account:

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

Georgia football Twitter reacts: OL Jamaree Salyer is returning

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer is returning for another season at the University of Georgia

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer is returning for another season at the University of Georgia. His return gives Georgia a big boost in offensive line experience. Salyer has logged 36 appearances in his college football career.

Salyer came to the University of Georgia as a five-star offensive guard recruit out of Atlanta, Georgia. Salyer started at left tackle for the first nine games of the 2020 season and then played left guard in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

Salyer played high school football at Pace Academy with Andrew Thomas for three seasons before coming to Georgia. Salyer will hope to be as well regarded as his high school teammate when his career in Athens is over. Salyer is technically a junior, so he could comeback for another season.

Here’s how Georgia football Twitter reacted to the news (announcement among the reaction):

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]