Tag: georgia bulldogs news

10 Georgia Bulldogs go in Matt Miller’s latest NFL mock draft

ESPN’s Matt Miller has 2 Dawgs in the top-10…

It’s officially 2023 NFL draft week. The event will kickoff in Kansas City on April 27 and will be televised on NFL Network and ESPN.

Georgia football set a modern draft record last spring with 15 selections, including five players taken in the first round and the No. 1 overall pick, Travon Walker.

This year’s draft class is smaller for the Bulldogs, but we can expect to hear several familiar names called early on Thursday.

ESPN NFL draft analyst Matt Miller recently released his seven-round mock draft, which includes 10 Georgia Bulldogs and two in the top 10.

Here is where each Bulldog landed

Georgia QB Brock Vandagriff unsure of future in Athens: ‘I’m not sure. I guess there’s some praying to do’

Players have till April 30 to enter the transfer portal and maintain eligibility to play in the fall.

One of the most notable takeaways from Georgia’s spring game is rising redshirt junior quarterback Carson Beck’s control of the Bulldogs offense.

The former-four star recruit completed 15 of 22 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown during G-Day in Sanford Stadium on Saturday.

Beck’s efficiency was impressive considering how the Bulldogs have ushered in a new offense under first-year offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, while attempting to replace star quarterback Stetson Bennett among several key pieces from the 2022 national title season.

Former five-star prospect Brock Vandagriff shared first-team reps with Beck during spring practice leading up to G-Day.

Vandagriff completed 13 of 25 passes for 135 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in the game.

The Bogart, Georgia., native came to Athens as the No. 17 player in the nation, the No. 4 quarterback and the No. 2 player in the state of Georgia in the 2021 class, per 247Sports.

As a rising redshirt sophomore, Vandagriff has shown glimpses of ability with both his arm and legs as a dual-threat quarterback in practices during his time in Athens, but his lack of on-the-field experience stands out in comparison to Beck.

As the third-string signal-caller behind Bennett and Beck in 2022, Vandagriff didn’t complete a pass in three regular-season appearances.

It’s rare to find a talented quarterback that will take a backseat in today’s college football era with popular use of the transfer portal.

Players have until April 30 to enter the portal and be eligible to play this fall.

“I’m not sure. I guess there’s some praying to do, Vandagriff said after Saturday’s scrimmage. “But my plans, for now, are to just take it day by day.”

Considering how the Bulldogs utilized Bennet’s scrambling ability over the last two seasons, Vandagriff could be an important piece to keep moving forward as Beck will be eligible for the 2024 NFL draft.

“I thought Brock used his legs several times to break out of there and take off running,” head coach Kirby Smart said. “Brock unfortunately had some guys drop the ball on him. I thought the balls were really well thrown and should’ve been caught.”

If Vandagriff decides to make a move, rising redshirt freshman Gunner Stockton will be expected to play behind Beck. The former four-star prospect didn’t make an appearance last season.

Stockton went 13-for-22 passing for 144 yards and an interception in the scrimmage.

Click here for ‘G-Day’ highlights, including plays from Beck, Vandagriff and Stockton.

Georgia ILB enters transfer portal

UGA’s Rian Davis enters the transfer portal. Where Georgia stands at ILB here…

Georgia inside linebacker Rian Davis has entered his name into the transfer portal, allowing the former four-star prospect to be recruited by other programs.

The rising senior came to Athens out of Apokpa, Florida, rated as the No. 5 outside linebacker and the No. 89 player overall in the 2019 recruiting class, according to 247Sports.

Davis suffered a torn ACL in his senior season at Wekiva High School, which, along with other ailments, held him out of the 2019 season.

In 2020, Davis appeared in seven of 10 games after spending the start of the season hampered by injuries. After appearing in the second game of the 2021 season, Davis suffered a ruptured quadriceps that knocked him out for the rest of the Bulldogs’ championship year.

Davis saw the most action of his career in 2022, appearing in 14 of 15 games with two starts, totaling 15 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and five quarterback hurries

Davis is the second Georgia inside linebacker to enter the portal. Trezman Marshall transferred to Alabama during the first transfer portal window in January.

Where Georgia stands at inside linebacker

The Dawgs return both starting inside linebackers from the 2022 season, Jamon-Dumas Johnson and Smael Mondon Jr. The duo led the Bulldogs in tackles.

Rising redshirt sophomore Xavian Sorey Jr., a former four-star prospect, and rising redshirt freshman E.J. Lightsey, a former three-star prospect, both saw extensive action on the first-team defense during Saturday’s scrimmage.

Co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Glenn Schumann signed an impressive group in 2023, featuring three of the top-six linebackers in the country: Raylen Wilson, C.J. Allen and Troy Bowles.

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‘UGA Football Live with J.C. Shelton’: G-Day special with former Georgia Bulldogs Hunter Long, Keith Marshall

Get ready for G-Day! Watch, or listen here…

J.C. is joined by former Georgia teammates Hunter Long and Keith Marshall ahead of Georgia’s annual spring game! 

Your friends at UGA Football Live and UGA Wire present your one-stop-shop podcast for all things Georgia football: “UGA Football Live with J.C. Shelton.”

Streaming on Youtube as a part of The Pulse Sports Network or, listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Stats, analysis and interviews with some Georgia greats. We are here every week throughout the offseason to keep you up to speed on Georgia football.

In a ‘G-Day’ special, former Georgia offensive lineman Hunter Long and former Bulldog running back Keith Marshall join J.C. to talk all things UGA football ahead of Saturday’s kickoff.

Watch here, on YouTube

You can also listen here, on Spotify:

Or here, on Apple Podcasts

You can catch Marshall, along with multiple other Georgia lettermen, this Saturday in Athens at Creature Comforts at a G-Day tailgate event held by The Players’ Lounge. Click here for sign-up information.

Twitter reacts: shifty WR Nitro Tuggle commits to UGA football

Georgia fans and media are fired up because elite WR Nitro Tuggle committed to Georgia football

Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs are loading up in the class of 2024 recruiting cycle. Georgia has the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class with 12 commitments.

Three-star wide receiver recruit NiTareon “Nitro” Tuggle is a rising recruit in the class of 2024. Now, Tuggle has committed to the University of Georgia. Georgia fans, coaches and media members are excited Tuggle committed to the Dawgs despite being a three-star recruit.

Why? Tuggle has incredible tape. He shows excellent body control and is very elusive after the catch.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound wide receiver is ranked as No. 457 player in the class of 2024. Tuggle is the No. 67 wide receiver and the No. 5 player in Indiana.

Tuggle played football for Northwood High School in Nappanee, Indiana. The three-star wide receiver is reportedly planning to attend high school football powerhouse IMG Academy for his senior season. Playing against stiffer competition at IMG Academy will help Tuggle’s transition to playing college football.

Here’s how Georgia football Twitter reacted to Tuggle’s commitment to the Dawgs:

Former Georgia basketball assistant takes head coach job with USF

Former UGA basketball assistant coach Amir Abdur-Rahim is now the head coach at South Florida

Former Georgia basketball assistant coach Amir Abdur-Rahim is now the head coach at South Florida. Amir Abdur-Rahim took the head coaching job at Kennesaw State back in 2019.

Abdur-Rahim helped Kennesaw State make the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Kennesaw State was a No. 14 seed in March Madness and lost its opening game to Xavier. Kennesaw State finished the 2022-2023 basketball season with a 26-9 record.

Amir Abdur-Rahim replaces former South Florida coach Brian Gregory in Tampa, Florida. USF last made the NCAA Tournament in 2012. The Bulls have had one winning season since 2012, which was during the 2018-2019 season under Brian Gregory.

Former UGA assistant coach Amir Abdur-Rahim is a rising name in college basketball. C. Morgan Engel-USA TODAY Sports

Amir Abdur-Rahim was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and played high school basketball in Georgia. He coached at Georgia from 2018-2019 under head coach Tom Crean.

Kennesaw State went just 1-28 in Abdur-Rahim’s first season at the helm, but he helped turn the program around. USF is coming off a 14-18 season.

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5-star Sammy Brown visiting Georgia football

Five-star linebacker Sammy Brown is visiting the Georgia Bulldogs on April 1.

Five-star linebacker Sammy Brown is visiting the Georgia Bulldogs on April 1. Brown received a scholarship offer from Georgia football back in March 2021.

The five-star linebacker is a member of the class of 2024. Brown is a special talent. There simply aren’t many athletes as fast and strong as Sammy Brown.

Sammy Brown plays high school football for Jefferson High School in Jefferson, Georgia. Georgia Bulldogs star safety Malaki Starks also played high school football for Jefferson.

Jefferson High School’s Sammy Brown is one of the best recruits in the class of 2024. Joshua L. Jones/ Online Athens

Sammy Brown is ranked as the No. 13 player in the class of 2024. Brown is the top-ranked linebacker and the fourth-ranked player in Georgia. Georgia football has done an excellent job of recruiting the linebacker position recently, but Brown may be the Dawgs’ most talented linebacker prospect in recent memory.

Sammy Brown is a versatile three-sport athlete that runs track and wrestles in addition to playing football. Brown’s versatility is displayed on the football field as well. He compiled 1,459 rushing yards on 181 carries and scored 21 rushing touchdowns in his junior season. The five-star also racked up 113 total tackles and added a sack.

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker plays high school football about an hour outside of Athens, Georgia. Kirby Smart and Georgia football would love for Sammy Brown to stay home.

The Jefferson standout has recently visited the Clemson Tigers.

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Former Bulldogs visit Georgia football practice

George Pickens & Nick Moore were at spring practice this week…

Former Georgia Bulldogs George Pickens and Nick Moore took a trip to Athens this week to check out spring practice.

Pickens is a second-year wide receiver for the Pittsburg Steelers and Moore, a third-year long-snapper for the Baltimore Ravens.

The Bulldogs consistently host former players in Athens. When you have as much NFL representation as Georgia, it’s good for young players to see where success in Athens could possibly take them.

A new NFL class of Bulldogs will make the transition in the 2023 NFL draft, which is scheduled to kickoff in Kansas City on April 27.

 

 

Highlights: Top 2024 LB Sammy Brown

The No. 1 player in GA can do it all…

Recruiting buzz is heating up for five-star linebacker Sammy Brown out of Jefferson, Ga.

Brown (6-foot-2.5, 225 pounds) is the top player in the state of Georgia, the No. 1 linebacker in the country and the No. 5 player overall in the 2024 recruiting class, according to 247Sports.

Brown is a wrestling and track champion for Jefferson High School where he plays both linebacker and running back on the football field.

Its easy to see why Brown is so highly touted with clips like these from the weight room.

Georgia, Clemson, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Tennessee are currently in the mix for Brown.

The Bulldogs will host the marquee prospect on April 1 and June 9 in Athens.

Here’s a look at Brown’s highlight tape:

 

Georgia OT Amarius Mims poised for breakout year

Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims has stepped up according to teammate…

Questions surround a Georgia offensive front that will have to replace both starting tackles in the 2023 season.

Broderick Jones and Warren McClendon are NFL-bound, so where do the Bulldogs turn?

Third-year tackle Amarius Mims, a former five-star recruit in the 2021 recruiting class, may be the answer at right tackle.

Mims played in 12 games as a reserve in 2022 and played well respectively.

Offensive guard Tate Ratledge spoke highly of Mims and his mindset so far in spring practice.

“He’s gotten very mature with how he goes about things, just coming into practice, not really taking plays off and things like that. [He’s] just going out there and grinding every day and just really stepping into the shoes that he’s got to fill.”

Georgia’s offensive line finished runner-up for the 2022 Joe Moore Award for the best offensive line unit in the country. The expectations are high in 2023, but the talent is there for the back-to-back national champions.