Tag: georgia bulldogs secondary

Watch: Highlights of Georgia football DB Christopher Smith

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Christopher Smith stepped up into the starting safety role last season

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Christopher Smith stepped up into the starting safety role last season after Richard LeCounte was involved in an accident following the Kentucky game. Smith finished the 2020 season with 26 tackles and a pass deflection.

Smith came to Athens as a four-star recruit and has played in every game during the last two seasons.

This upcoming season is presumed to be Christopher Smith’s most important year in Athens. He’s expected to start at safety alongside Lewis Cine. Georgia has a thin defensive backfield, so it’s key that both starting safeties stay healthy next season.

Additionally, Christopher Smith will look to force more turnovers. Someone will need to step up to replace Richard LeCounte’s production. LeCounte averaged four combined interceptions and forced fumbles per season as a starter.

Before coming to Georgia, Christopher Smith helped Hapeville Charter win a GHSA state title in 2017. Smith and fellow University of Georgia defensive back William Poole were teammates at Hapeville Charter.

Check out Christopher Smith’s highlights here:

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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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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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Georgia football player card: DB Major Burns

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Major Burns committed to UGA after being rated as a four-star recruit.

Major Burns, defensive back (No. 20):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-2

Weight: 175 pounds

Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

High School: Madison Prep Academy

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Major Burns committed to UGA despite playing high school football in LSU’s backyard. Burns enrolled early at the University of Georgia.

He came to Athens as a four-star recruit. He was quite a versatile athlete in high school, where he played several different positions.

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 should all have a bright future.

Dan Lanning, Kirby Smart, and the Georgia defense are looking to replace the safety spot opposite Richard LeCounte this year. Lewis Cine is projected to start at safety, but Burns has the talent to compete with Cine and possibly play as a true freshman.

Burns will add weight to his lengthy frame over the years in Athens. He’s ready for the 2020 college football season:

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Georgia football player card: DB Daran Branch

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Daran Branch comes to Athens after being a three-star recruit in the class of 2020.

Daran Branch, defensive back (No. 26):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-2

Weight: 178 pounds

Hometown: Amite, Louisiana

High School: Amite High School

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Daran Branch comes to Athens after being a three-star recruit in the class of 2020. Branch has excellent length for a cornerback.

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. Branch is the only player of the group who isn’t rated as a four or five-star prospect. That being said, three-star recruits commonly make impacts at both the college and pro football levels.

Dan Lanning and the Georgia Bulldogs defense has a loaded defensive backfield for 2020 and beyond. Eric Stokes and Tyson Campbell are projected to be UGA’s starting cornerbacks next season.

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UGA football player card: DB Patrick Taylor

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Patrick Taylor played at Johns Creek High School before coming to UGA.

Patrick Taylor, defensive back (No. 38):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-0

Weight: 175 pounds

Hometown: Johns Creek, Georgia

High School: Johns Creek High School

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Patrick Taylor played at Johns Creek High School before coming to the University of Georgia as a preferred walk-on.

It is likely going to be a redshirt year for Taylor, if there’s any college football. Dan Lanning and the Georgia Bulldogs defense has a loaded defensive backfield for 2020 and beyond.

Patrick Taylor was an All Region and All State cornerback during his time in high school. Here’s how his announced his decision to attend UGA:

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UGA football player card: DB Jehlen Cannady

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Jehlen Cannady played at Westside High School before coming to UGA as a preferred walk-on

Jehlen Cannady, defensive back (No. 43):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-0

Weight: 176 pounds

Hometown: Macon, Georgia

High School: Westside High School

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Jehlen Cannady played at Westside High School before coming to the University of Georgia as a preferred walk-on.

It is likely going to be a redshirt year for Cannady, if the SEC plays football. Dan Lanning and the Georgia Bulldogs defense has a loaded defensive backfield for 2020 and beyond.

Jehlen Cannady’s nickname is “Hollywood”. He was excited when UGA offered his a PWO offer in January of 2020.

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Georgia football player card: DB Kurt Knisely

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Kurt Knisely arrives in Athens as a member of the class of 2020. He attended Athens Academy.

Kurt Knisely, defensive back (No. 46):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-0

Weight: 200 pounds

Hometown: Watkinsville, Georgia

High School: Athens Academy

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Kurt Knisely arrives in Athens as a member of the class of 2020. Knisely is a preferred walk-on from Athens Academy. He’s not having to travel far to continue his football career.

It is likely going to be a redshirt year for Knisely. Dan Lanning and the Georgia Bulldogs defense has a stacked defensive backfield.

Georgia football is currently recruiting another talented player out of Athens Academy. Kirby Smart will look to keep the most talented hometown kids at home.

Throwback to when Knisely committed to the Dawgs at National Signing Day!

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