Tag: ben cleveland

Final list of UGA football’s 2020 NFL Draft decisions

Numerous Georgia Bulldogs have decided to return to UGA or head to the NFL Draft including: Jake Fromm, D’Andre Swift, and more.

Veteran members of the Georgia Bulldogs have been contemplating a tough decision these past couple months: enter the 2020 NFL Draft or return to Athens for another season. Each player’s decision is their own choice, but it is always beneficial to a program when veteran players return for another shot at the College Football Playoffs.

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm, right tackle Isaiah Wilson, left guard Solomon Kindley, running back D’Andre Swift, and left tackle Andrew Thomas have declared for the 2020 NFL Draft.

Nov 2, 2019; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart talks with quarterback Jake Fromm (11) as they beat the Florida Gators at TIAA Bank Field. UGA fans will miss Fromm, who went 3-0 in his career versus Florida. Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia’s defense is getting a boost with the returns of cornerbacks Mark Webb, Eric Stokes, safety Richard LeCounte, linebacker Monty Rice, and defensive lineman Malik Herring.

On the other side of the football, offensive linemen Justin Shaffer and Ben Cleveland will be back. UGA’s offensive line has been purged by the NFL and a transfer.

College football players have until the 20th of January to determine if they wish to enter into the 2020 NFL Draft. Juniors and redshirt sophomores are the primary players contemplating their NFL decisions.

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Georgia will notably lose the following key seniors as well: kicker Rodrigo Blankenship, defensive tackle Michael Barnett, defensive lineman David Marshall, defensive lineman Tyler Clark, linebacker Tae Crowder, receiver Tyler Simmons, safety J.R. Reed, receiver Lawrence Cager, tight end Eli Wolf, tight end Charlie Woerner, and running back Brian Herrien. UGA is losing several other seniors, who didn’t play as much as this group.

Oct 5, 2019; Knoxville, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Richard LeCounte (2) celebrates with defensive back J.R. Reed (20) after intercepting a pass during the third quarter in a game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Photo Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports

Bulldog defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt has no public statement about his NFL decision, but it is assumed he’s coming back. Wyatt helped UGA not allow a single rushing touchdown to a running back in 2020.

Georgia’s offseason will have many ups and downs. The NFL Combine and Senior Bowl is next on the list for many of these UGA greats.

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UGA’s Ben Cleveland reaches NFL Draft decision

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Ben Cleveland is returning to UGA for his senior season

The Georgia Bulldogs have lost numerous starters along their offensive front heading into the 2020 season. The Dawgs have lost four of their previous five starting offensive lineman from the 2019 season: LT Andrew Thomas (NFL), LG Solomon Kindley, RG Cade Mays (transfer to Tennessee), and RT Isaiah Wilson (NFL). UGA need all the help they can get at offensive line with the line only returning starting center Trey Hill.

Fortunately for Georgia, offensive lineman Ben Cleveland is returning to Athens for his senior season. Cleveland is projected to start at right guard for UGA this season. Cleveland returns as a key lineman with sixteen games of starting experience.

Cleveland announced his decision to return on the last day to declare for the 2020 NFL Draft. DawgNation’s Jeff Sentell initially reported Cleveland’s return:

Georgia additionally got good news earlier this week: lineman Justin Shaffer has been cleared following a neck sprain. Ben Cleveland missed the Sugar Bowl due to an academic issue, but will look to get that sorted out ahead of the 2020 season opener against Virginia.

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Details: Sam Pittman’s new Arkansas contract

Former Georgia football OL coach Sam Pittman signs new head coach deal with the Arkansas Razorbacks. See the details of the signing here.

Georgia lost a good one yesterday as offensive line coach Sam Pittman signed a deal with Arkansas to become the Razorbacks’ new head coach.

Pittman, who has played a critical role in beefing up the Georgia offensive line through recruiting and coaching, is getting paid well by the Hogs.

Related: Sam Pittman’s departure is a huge blow for Georgia

Pittman contract is a five-year deal that starts at $3 million annually, per Steve Berkowitz of USA TODAY Sports.

At Georgia, Pittman was valued incredibly high by Kirby Smart, earning $900,000 per year as a position coach.

Berkowitz provided all the info necessary on Pittman’s new contract.

 

 

This is a huge loss for the Bulldogs but is understandable looking at the business perspective of the deal.

We wish coach Pittman and his family nothing but the best as he embarks for Fayetteville next season.

Once a Dawg…always a Dawg.

Georgia football HC Kirby Smart talks Lawrence Cager, OL injuries

Ahead of the Georgia football game vs Texas A&M, Kirby Smart discussed the injury of Lawrence Cager and some offensive linemen.

Georgia is at the point in the season where it’s not a matter of whether or not a player is injured, but whether or not he is able play through it.

After Georgia’s physical game against Auburn, which the Dawgs won 21-14 on the road, UGA will look to heal up as much as possible ahead of its final SEC matchup with Texas A&M on Saturday.

Wide receiver Lawrence Cager left the Auburn game in the first quarter after making just one catch.

On Saturday, Smart discussed the injury, which came to the shoulder that has been bothering Cager all season.

“He took a shot, and it bothered him. He took a shot on the (fourth) play of the game I think, maybe, and it started bothering him.”

On Monday, Smart updated Cager’s status.

“Cager will be cleared to practice, it will just be a matter of if he can sustain,” Smart said.

Versatile offensive lineman Cade Mays was able to play for a portion of the game, but eventually had to be held out.

 “Cade is banged up — don’t think he’s going to be able to practice today, but we think he’s going to be able to play and he’s going to be able to hopefully practice Tuesday.”

Mays left the Missouri game the week before with an ankle injury.

“(Mays) is a little beat up, (and) we knew that going into the game, he’s got some soreness, and he’s fighting through it.,” Smart said.

On fellow offensive lineman Ben Cleveland, Smart mentioned that he missed some practice last week with a toe injury but is hopeful that the big man will be able to play vs Texas A&M.

“Ben (Cleveland) is still fighting the injury bug, too, on lower extremity. We’re hopeful he’s able to go.”