Tag: georgia bulldogs defensive backs

Georgia football DB Lovasea Carroll enters transfer portal

Georgia Bulldogs freshman defensive back Lovasea Carroll has entered the NCAA transfer portal.

Georgia Bulldogs freshman defensive back Lovasea Carroll has entered the NCAA transfer portal. Carroll changed positions during his first year on campus with Georgia.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound product from Warrenton, Georgia, enrolled early at Georgia after being ranked as four-star running back recruit out of high school powerhouse IMG Academy.

Lovasea Carroll played in four games as a freshman this season, so he will be able use this year as a redshirt season. Carroll will have four years of college football eligibility wherever he elects to play next.  Carroll finished with three tackles and a pass deflection in 2021.

Will Lovasea Carroll play running back at his new college football home? Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Kirby Smart and UGA felt that Carroll had a better chance to make an impact as a freshman defensive back. Carroll converted to the position during spring drills.

Georgia entered the season no longer as desperate at the defensive back position, but the Bulldogs did not play Carroll at running back.

Carroll played Warren County High School before attending IMG Academy.

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Georgia football player card: DB David Daniel

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back David Daniel was one of Kirby Smart’s first commitments in the class of 2021.

David Daniel, Defensive Back (No. 14):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-2

Weight: 185 pounds

Hometown: Woodstock, Georgia

High School: Woodstock High School

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back David Daniel was one of Kirby Smart’s first commitments in the class of 2021. Daniel enrolled early at the University of Georgia and competed throughout spring drills and the spring game.

Daniel is the first player from Woodstock High School to sign with Georgia in a long time. He came to Athens as a four-star athlete. Daniel played both wide receiver and cornerback during his time at Woodstock.

Georgia started cornerbacks Ameer Speed and Jalen Kimber in the spring game, but the secondary will look much different to open the season.

Kirby Smart brought in additional talent at defensive back, including Clemson transfer Derion Kendrick, Alabama transfer Brandon Turnage and West Virgnia transfer Tykee Smith. Former five-star recruit Kelee Ringo, who missed last season with a shoulder injury, will compete for playing time at cornerback as well.

At safety, Christopher Smith and Lewis Cine are projected to retain their starting roles. Georgia lost a bunch of talent in the secondary to the 2021 NFL draft.

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Georgia football player card: DB Lovasea Carroll

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Lovasea Carroll changed positions during his first year on campus with Georgia

Lovasea Carroll, Defensive Back (No. 12):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-1

Weight: 195 pounds

Hometown: Warrenton, Georgia

High School: IMG Academy

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Lovasea Carroll changed positions during his first year on campus with Georgia. Carroll enrolled early at Georgia after being a highly touted four-star running back recruit out of high school powerhouse IMG Academy.

IMG Academy’s Xavier Terrell (5) runs in a touchdown against Ravenwood next to Lovasea Carroll (6) during the second half at Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tenn., Friday, Sept. 25, 2020. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Carroll will have a good mentor to help him with the difficulties he will face with his position change. Incoming Clemson transfer Derion Kendrick is a former five-star recruit that began his college football career at wide receiver. Kendrick seamlessly transitioned to cornerback as a sophomore at Clemson and is a top prospect for the 2022 NFL draft.

Georgia started Ameer Speed and Jalen Kimber in the spring game, but the secondary will look much different to open the season.

Kirby Smart brought in additional competition at defensive back, including Clemson transfer Derion Kendrick, Alabama transfer Brandon Turnage, and West Virgnia transfer Tykee Smith. Former five-star recruit Kelee Ringo figures to compete for playing time as well.

Georgia is no longer as desperate at the defensive back position. The Bulldogs could play Carroll at running back in the future. It will be a storyline to watch over Carroll’s career

The Warrenton, Georgia, product played Warren County High School before attending IMG Academy.

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Georgia football player card: DB Derion Kendrick

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Derion Kendrick is projected to start as the No. 1 cornerback in Dan Lanning’s defensive scheme this season

Derion Kendrick, Defensive Back (No. 11):

Class: Senior

Height: 6-0

Weight: 190 pounds

Hometown: Rock Hill, South Carolina

High School: South Pointe High School

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Derion Kendrick is projected to start as the No. 1 cornerback in Dan Lanning’s defensive scheme this season. Kendrick transferred to Georgia from Clemson this offseason. He will face his former team to open the season.

Kendrick is a former five-star recruit who began his college football career at wide receiver. Kendrick transitioned to cornerback as a sophomore.

Nov. 16, 2019; Clemson, South Carolina; Clemson Tigers Derion Kendrick (1) returns the ball during the first half of the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia started Ameer Speed and Jalen Kimber in the spring game, but the secondary will look much different to open the season.

Kirby Smart brought in more competition at defensive back, including Alabama transfer Brandon Turnage and West Virgnia transfer Tykee Smith. Former five-star recruit Kelee Ringo will compete for playing time.

Kendrick’s big-game experience will be critical for the secondary. He is considered a top cornerback prospect for the 2022 NFL draft, but there are concerns about his character.

Kendrick proved himself as a top cornerback during his time at Clemson. He finished the 2020 season as an All-ACC performer. The former South Pointe High School star deflected six passes, recorded a sack and intercepted one pass last season for the Tigers.

Kendrick has 23 career starts at cornerback. He has played in five career College Football Playoff games.

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Georgia football DB selects transfer destination

Former Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Hugh Nelson is transferring to the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

Former Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Hugh Nelson is transferring to the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. Nelson is a redshirt sophomore previously entered into the NCAA transfer portal earlier this offseason. Now, Nelson has found his new home.

Hugh Nelson joins fellow walk-on Kolby Wyatt as the second Georgia Bulldog to transfer to Hawaii this offseason.

Nelson will be immediately eligible at Hawaii (like all transfers this offseason). He graduates in May of 2021 and will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Nelson walked on to the football team in 2018 and took a redshirt that season while he primarily served as a key scout team player. In fact, Nelson won the Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year award for his effort in 2018.

Nelson played in the Arkansas State game in the 2019 season, but did not appear in any games during 2020. Prior to coming to the University of Georgia, Nelson ran track and played football during his time at Hillgrove High School.

Hugh Nelson announced his decision to transfer to Hawaii via his Twitter account:

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Georgia football DB enters transfer portal

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Hugh Nelson has entered into the NCAA transfer portal.

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Hugh Nelson, a redshirt sophomore, has entered into the NCAA transfer portal. Nelson is looking for a new home.

Nelson will be immediately eligible at his new school (like all transfers this offseason), if he decides to transfer away from Georgia. He graduates in May of 2021 and will have three years of eligibility remaining.

He walked on to the football team in 2018 and took a redshirt that season while he primarily served as a key scout team player. In fact, Nelson won the Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year award for his effort in 2018.

Nelson appeared in the Arkansas State game in the 2019 season, but did not play in any games during 2020. Before coming to the University of Georgia, Nelson ran track and played football during his time at Hillgrove High School.

Hugh Nelson announced his decision via his Twitter account:

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Report: UGA football DB returns to the team

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Daran Branch has returned to the team following an absence.

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Daran Branch has returned to the team. Branch is back in Athens after returning home to Louisiana.

Branch was a three-star recruit in the class of 2020. Branch, a true freshman, played high school football at Amite in Louisiana.

Before committing to the University of Georgia, Branch was previously committed to the Ole Miss Rebels. Kirby Smart, former Ole Miss coach Matt Luke, and the Dawgs were able to get him to flip on signing day in 2020.

Daran Branch, Kelee Ringo (who recently underwent shoulder surgery), Jalen Kimber and Major Burns combine to form Georgia’s four scholarship defensive backs in the class of 2020. Branch has missed some important practice time and may be brought along slowly in 2020.

Branch was contemplating if he wanted to continue his football career and returned home, per 247Sports. DawgNation was the first to report Branch’s absence with the team.

Georgia has limited media availability during preseason practice, which makes information on Branch quite limited. We’ll continue to update you on his status.

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Report: Georgia DB not with the team

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Daran Branch is no longer with the team in Athens

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Daran Branch is no longer with the team in Athens after being a three-star recruit in the class of 2020. Branch, a true freshman, played high school football at Amite in Louisiana.

Before committing to the University of Georgia, Branch was committed to the Ole Miss Rebels. Kirby Smart and the Dawgs were able to get him to flip on signing day in 2020.

Daran Branch, Kelee Ringo (who recently underwent shoulder surgery), Jalen Kimber and Major Burns make up Georgia’s four scholarship defensive backs in the class of 2020. Without Branch, the class is a little bit thin at the defensive back position.

Branch is contemplating if he wants to continue his football career and returned home, per 247Sports. DawgNation was the first to report Branch’s absence with the team.

Georgia has limited media availability during preseason practice, which makes information on Branch quite limited.

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Georgia football player card: DB Kelee Ringo

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Kelee Ringo comes to Athens after having offseason shoulder surgery.

Kelee Ringo, defensive back (No. 5):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-2

Weight: 205 pounds

Hometown: Tacoma, Washington

High School: Saguaro (Arizona)

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Kelee Ringo comes to Athens after being rated as a five-star recruit. Most scouting services considered Ringo to be the top cornerback recruit in the class of 2020.

Ringo played in the 2020 All-American Bowl and committed to the University of Georgia during the game.

He played both defensive back and running back at Saguaro High School. As a junior, Ringo ran a 10.4 one-hundred meters. He has elite size and speed for a cornerback. Georgia football was pursuing a four-star defensive end (Quintin Somerville), who is a member of the class of 2021 at Saguaro High School.

Ringo underwent offseason shoulder surgery and is expected to miss a portion of the 2020 college football season.

Daran Branch, Kelee Ringo, Jalen Kimber and Major Burns are Georgia’s four scholarship defensive backs in the class of 2020. These four have a lot of talent.

Georgia’s secondary is deep this season with Eric Stokes, D.J. Daniel, Tyson Campbell, Richard LeCounte, Lewis Cine and more. Daniel and LeCounte are both seniors, so there could be a large contingent of new faces in the 2021 Georgia secondary. Campbell and Stokes have NFL potential and could leave following their junior season this year.

Ringo will be exciting to watch when he gets healthy.

Saguaro’s Kelee Ringo wins heat of the 200 meters during the 2019 Arizona State Track and Field Championship at Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona, May 03, 2019.

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Georgia football player card: DB Jalen Kimber

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Jalen Kimber played elite high school competition at Mansfield Timberview in Texas.

Jalen Kimber, defensive back (No. 6):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-0

Weight: 170 pounds

Hometown: Mansfield, Texas

High School: Mansfield Timberview

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Jalen Kimber is yet another example of Kirby Smart going beyond Georgia’s typical recruiting sphere in order to secure the nation’s top talent. Kimber is a four-star cornerback and was a member of the class of 2020.

Kimber brings incredible athleticism to Athens. He runs a 4.4 forty yard dash and has a 42 inch vertical jump. He was selected to the 2020 All-American Bowl.

He played against stout high school competition in Texas. Additionally, Kimber enrolled early in Athens, so he should be quite prepared for college football’s high level of competition.

Daran Branch, Kelee Ringo (who recently underwent shoulder surgery), Jalen Kimber, and Major Burns make up Georgia’s four scholarship defensive backs in the class of 2020. The four have a lot of talent.

Georgia’s secondary is deep this season with the likes of Eric Stokes, DJ Daniel, Tyson Campbell, Richard LeCounte, Lewis Cine and more. Daniel and LeCounte are both seniors, so there could be a large contingent of new faces in the 2021 Georgia secondary.

Throwback to the day Kimber signed with the Georgia Bulldogs:

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