Tag: Elijah Holyfield

Isaiah Wilson of Georgia a mammoth NFL tackle

Isaiah Wilson of Georgia football a mammoth NFL tackle

The three key cogs of the so-called Great Wall of Georgia all declared early for the NFL draft. Taking a quick look at each of them: Andrew Thomas, Solomon Kindley and Isaiah Wilson

Here I look up, way up at big Isaiah Wilson.

Wilson, not his now much more heralded classmate Andrew Thomas, came into the University of Georgia as the top-ranked offensive lineman in the country. Out of Poly Prep High School in Brooklyn, NYC, and already 6-7, 345, the young man struggled mightily to adapt to the searing Southern heat and humidity. He also was not reasonably tested by anyone in high school, considering how much bigger and stronger he was than his competition.

While Thomas was immediately thrust into the starting lineup and was the left tackle of the present and future at UGA, Wilson had to wait his time. As a two-year starter for the Dawgs, Wilson helped lead Georgia teams that won 11 and 12 games and put up three thousand-yard rushers: Elijah Holyfield (once) and  D’Andre Swift (twice). Not many men can get around or through him.

Oct 5, 2019; Knoxville, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson (79) blocking Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Darrell Taylor (19) during the first quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports

As offensive line coach Sam Pittman left UGA to becoming the head coach at Arkansas, Wilson choose to join his fellow tackle Thomas and leave early for the NFL. At right tackle, he is probably a second round pick to a team in need. I don’t think he has the speed to be converted to a left tackle easily.

D’Andre Swift compared favorably to NFL backs prior to draft

UGA’s D’Andre Swift compared favorably to NFL backs prior to draft; Georgia football continues forth as “RBU.”

D’Andre Swift’s skill set has him comparing favorably in the media with two successful professional running backs: ESPN’s Matt Bowen compared him to game breaker Dalvin Cook. While, Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller compared him to the versatile Alvin Kamara.

The first comparison speaks to the production Swift had in his three years at Georgia. His cutback ability is similarly lethal to that of Cook.

The second comparison tells of his passing game contributions, blocking and catching passes. As Swift’s career continued at UGA, he consistently became more versatile and complete. I think he’s a complete back.

Matt Miller said, “Love it. My comp is Kamara. Excellent receiving option. Hate that he got banged up late, saved some tread on his tires.”

Nov 30, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back D’Andre Swift (7) on the sideline against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second half at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

First as a true freshman playing at UGA from Philly, Swift kicked in 618 rushing yards, in support of Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, including the biggest play of the SEC championship game win over Auburn.

As a sophomore, Swift and Elijah Holyfield teamed as a pair of thousand-yard runners, a year after his former teammates Chubb and Michel did the same. Georgia going back-to-back, with a different pair of thousand yard backs, set a new milestone for the dominant Athens ground attack. The legacy of Georgia as “RBU” (Running Back University) intact.

Then, as a junior, Swift went for 1,218 yards on 196 carries. When healthy, he was clearly the best football player on the UGA roster last season. Sadly, he was nicked up in the 2019-2020 postseason, playing sparingly in the SEC championship game and Sugar Bowl.

He is reportedly well and ready. A recent mock draft had Swift going early in the second round. I had him going to the Atlanta Falcons with the 16th pick.

Evan Holyfield demonstrating he might have more than legendary name

Evan Holyfield, the 22-year-old son of Evander Holyfield, ran his record to 3-0 with a first-round knockout on Saturday.

It’s beginning to look as if Evan Holyfield has more than a legendary last name. He’s got hands that move at a rate that land with power.

The speed-equals-power equation was evident in the young Holyfield’s third pro bout, a first-round knockout of Travis Nero on Saturday not far from the Daytona International Speedway in north Florida.

With his dad, former heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield, and brother, running back Elijah Holyfield, at ringside, Evan ran over the overmatched Nero, knocking him down three times within 90 seconds of the opening bell for a swift stoppage in a junior middleweight bout.

It’s still a little early to judge just how good he is. He has faced no real challenge from his opposition. He wasn’t expected to.

Nero, of Norman, Oklahoma, is 1-6. In his second fight, Holyfield scored a third-round stoppage of Henry Mendez, who was making his debut. He scored a first-round stoppage of Nick Winstead in his own debut on the Canelo Alvarez-Sergey Kovalev card on Nov. 2. Winstead is 0-2.

His three opponents have only one victory. Yet in each bout, Holyfield, nicknamed Yung Holy, displayed an aptitude for boxing and a prospect’s kind of hand speed.

“With speed comes power, well sometimes,’’ Evan said before his quick work on a card promoted by Christy Martin. “But in my case, it does.’’

It’s a good place to begin.

Eagles RB Miles Sanders on whether he’ll play vs. Seahawks: “It’s the playoffs”

Miles Sanders says he expects to play against the Seattle Seahawks

The Philadelphia Eagles are playoff participants for the third straight season and they’ll enter Sunday’s matchup against Seattle with several injuries scenarios still needing to be updated.

The Eagles had Zach Ertz, Lane Johnson, and Miles Sanders all get in some work this week, while dealing with various ailments.

Sanders was listed as day-to-day with an ankle injury, but while talking to Les Bowen of The Inquirer, the Eagles rookie made it seem as if he’ll definitely be taking part in the festivities.

Sanders missed the Eagles practice on Thursday, and will likely be a game-time decision.

Philadelphia Eagles sign former UGA football great

Philadelphia Eagles sign former Georgia football great

The Philadelphia Eagles signed former Georgia football great Elijah Holyfield on Tuesday, just before the start of the NFL Playoffs.

Holyfield played with the Panthers in the preseason as an undrafted free agent, but did not make the 53-man roster and would sign with their practice squad.

Now, the former four-star out of Woodward Academy will compete for a Super Bowl ring with Philadelphia starting this weekend against the Seattle Seahawks after Carolina elected not to sign him to a futures contract.

Eagles sign RB Elijah Holyfield to deal

Elijah Holyfield signs deal with the Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles have added some depth to the running back room, signing former Georgia Bulldogs running back, Elijah Holyfield to a deal.

Elijah is the son of former heavyweight boxing champion, Evander Holyfield.

Holyfield signed with the Carolina Panthers after going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft. Holyfield was waived at the end of the training camp was re-signed to the practice squad.

Splitting time with D’Andre Swift in 2018, Holyfield rushed for 1,018 yards on 159 carries with seven touchdowns in his final season in Athens.

Georgia football: Bulldogs must have better bowl game, off-season

The Georgia Bulldogs fell to the LSU Tigers 37-10 in the SEC Championship Game. LSU dominated and UGA’s offense never got rolling. Jake Fromm and Georgia receivers couldn’t get in sync all game (more on the receivers later). All of this felt like a …

The Georgia Bulldogs fell to the LSU Tigers 37-10 in the SEC Championship Game. LSU dominated and UGA’s offense never got rolling. Jake Fromm and Georgia receivers couldn’t get in sync all game (more on the receivers later).

All of this felt like a accumulation of Georgia’s weaknesses and errors adding up over the course of the season. But make no mistake about it. Georgia had a despicable off-season in 2018-2019 following the 2018 SEC Championship Game defeat to Alabama. Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs must bounce back better following the crushing loss against LSU.

Last year, following the 2018 SEC title game UGA’s Deandre Baker started the off-season slide when he won the Jim Thorpe Award. Baker set a tone for the off-season that was not ideal. Following winning the award Baker was quoted saying this:

“I’m playing in the Sugar Bowl,” Baker said, per Jake Rowe of 247Sports. “…I just wanted to finish it right with my teammates, that’s all.”

Baker went on to sit out Georgia’s bowl game against Texas: a multi-score defeat to Texas. Players who are going to sit out the bowl game need to decide soon and be honest about it. Coaches need to prepare with the guys they’ve got and start building momentum for 2020. Regardless of who shows up, Georgia needs a win to be making progress as a program.

Baker’s decision was one of the least notable things of the 2018-2019 off-season.

Receivers Mecole Hardman Jr., Riley Ridley, RB Elijah Holyfield, and tight end Isaac Nauta all declared for the NFL early following the Sugar Bowl loss. Georgia lost Justin Fields in a transfer to Ohio State. Fields would’ve looked mighty good in Georgia red and black this season.

Every player has the right to declare for the NFL early, but for many it is not the best choice. There’s no going back. Some players family situations prevent them from being in school. That being said, Holyfield and Nauta would’ve been served better staying in Athens. Each would’ve had large roles in the offense. Neither is set up for NFL success now. Players should do what’s best for them and their families at the end of the day.

Kirby Smart secured yet another talented recruiting class, but that was the least of UGA’s 2018-2019 off-season worries. Seven Georgia players were arrested in 2019 before the Dawgs suited up to play Vanderbilt. WR Jeremiah Holloman proved to be the most costly of UGA’s arrest-related off-season losses. Georgia never made up for his loss and struggled to stretch teams down the field, especially in loses to South Carolina and LSU. Fromm missed Holloman’s back shoulder fade ability as well.

How does UGA have a better off-season this time? Jake Fromm staying would help, but don’t count on that. If he leaves, it may be Georgia’s turn to land a talented QB transfer like D’Eriq King of Houston. Kirby Smart needs borderline players to return and/or not transfer.

Players leave programs and that’s a reality of college football in 2019. Smart must land more recruits. UGA’s class of 2020 is extremely talented, but the Dawgs only have fifteen commitments. They will look add about ten more. Smart needs to land a talented tight end in this class. Darnell Washington or Theo Johnson would be huge for UGA. It’s the most talented tight end class in years.

Lastly, Georgia must stay out of trouble. 2-3 arrests would be excellent in comparison to seven. Yes, last off-season all seven weren’t all serious offenses, but they hurt the team.

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