Tag: Georgia Football

Top transfer quarterback commits to Georgia

Jaden Rashada, who started three games in his freshman year at Arizona State, has committed to the Georgia Bulldogs

After visiting Athens earlier this week, the top ranked quarterback in the transfer portal has officially committed to Georgia. Jaden Rashada, who started three games a season ago in his freshman year at Arizona State, made his decision to join the Bulldogs official on Thursday through his agent.

As the quarterback of the Sun Devils a year ago, Rashada completed 44 of 82 passes for 485 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions. He missed much of the year due to injuries. Rashada is a former four-star recruit in the class of 2023 and had previously signed Florida in that cycle, before being released due to the failure of his initial NIL deal with the Gators.

For Georgia, landing Rashada is a major victory. Kirby Smart had been publicly looking for a fourth scholarship quarterback to join Carson Beck, Gunner Stockton, and Ryan Puglisi on the roster for this season. Rashada also provides an experience boost given Stockton having zero collegiate starts and Puglisi being unable to fully participate in his first spring game with the program.

In terms of the future, Rashada could be a potential starter for the 2025 season after the likely departure of Carson Beck to the NFL. The 2025 quarterback battle could be an intriguing competition.

Georgia nose tackle Christen Miller enters transfer portal

Every USC fan is hoping — fervently — that Eric Henderson can land Christen Miller.

Gerogia’s 6-foot-4, 305-pound nose tackle Christen Miller entered the transfer portal. He has instantly become USC football’s most wanted prospect and a natural target for defensive line coach Eric Henderson.

It is not a secret that USC badly needs defensive tackles — plural, not just one — in the transfer portal. The Trojans need big, thick, nasty run-stuffers who can help USC become a tough and rugged team which is ready for the rigors and challenges of the Big Ten Conference. Miller would be exactly what the doctor ordered if the Trojans can land him.

Everyone at USC knows that Eric Henderson flipped Justus Terry from Georgia to USC. A lot of people who follow USC recruiting are also aware that Miller was a USC target a few years ago. The Trojans have reason to think they can be a player here.

USC has made a lot of vigorous recruiting pushes in the state of Georgia. The Trojans memorably landed Bear Alexander in the spring transfer portal window one year ago. Trojan fans are now hoping that Coach Henny will be able to enter this recruitment, make a strong pitch, and bring Miller to Los Angeles.

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Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman enters transfer portal

One of Georgia’s top interior pass rushers is entering the transfer portal after having a strong spring

We are just over midway through the spring transfer portal window and the Georgia Bulldogs have now seen a fifth player enter the transfer portal. Christen Miller, who was  anticipated to be a key defensive contributor, is a former four-star recruit. Miller plays defensive tackle and played a rotational role a year ago for the Bulldogs. Miller announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal with an announcement on Instagram on Wednesday afternoon.

Miller is originally from Ellenwood, Georgia, and was a top 100 recruit in the class of 2022. He originally chose the Dawgs over Ohio State, Miami, and Oregon. He recorded 14 tackles and one sack a season ago, and gained a larger role as the season went on, giving strong performances against Georgia Tech and Alabama late in the year.

With Miller’s projected departure, the Bulldogs have a hole in the defensive line rotation. Younger players like Jordan Hall and Jamaal Jarrett may be relied on to help fill that void, as will offseason addition Xzavier McLeod. The Dawgs could also pursue another lineman in this portal window to try and add depth in response to Miller’s likely departure.

Georgia receiver announces transfer commitment

Georgia receiver Tyler Williams will provide an immediate boost for a Big Ten program coming off of a lackluster offensive season

After entering the transfer portal a week ago, a one-time highly touted recruit for the Georgia Bulldogs has found his new home. Wide receiver Tyler Williams announced on his X page that he has committed to the Minnesota Golden Gophers and head coach P.J. Fleck.

Williams was a four-star receiver and top 100 overall recruit in the class of 2023. He is originally from Lakeland, Florida. He is listed at 6 feet, 3 inches and 205 pounds. In his one season in Athens, he recorded one catch for four yards. After improvements to Georgia’s receiver room that included three incoming transfers, Williams decided to leave the program.

Williams will provide an immediate boost for a Golden Gopher offense that was lackluster a year ago. He will join 2023 leading receiver Daniel Jackson in catching passes from new quarterback Max Brosmer, who is a transfer from New Hampshire, that is replacing outgoing starter Athan Kaliakmanis.

‘He’s everything’: Mel Kiper summarizes Brock Bowers’ skill set ahead of 2024 NFL draft

‘He’s everything’: Mel Kiper describes Georgia tight end Brock Bowers as NFL draft prospect

Despite a three-time All-American and two-time Mackey Award winning career, Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers isn’t projected be taken earlier than 10th in the 2024 NFL draft.

Why is a talent like Bowers not in the running for a top five pick?

The answer to that question surrounds how loaded this year’s draft class is at prime positions. Quarterbacks, wide receivers, offensive tackles and edge defenders are expected to fill the bulk of those early selections and most of the first-round picks. That may be the only aspect preventing Bowers from going within the top 10.

It’s clear that where Bowers is projected to land isn’t due to his talent, skill set or character. ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said it best on his “First Draft” show in early April.

“Give me a break. He’s just a tight end? He’s everything. Watch him play. …You can use him in the backfield. You can put him anywhere on the football field. He is a nightmare trying to match up with. I don’t care where he goes, he’s going to be a whale of a pick.

He could be in line to be Rookie of the Year in the NFL if he goes to the right team and the right quarterback. I love Brock Bowers. I loved him when he came to Georgia. He was an immediate impact performer.”

In three years at UGA, Bowers racked up an outstanding 175 receptions for 2,538 yards and 26 receiving touchdowns. He added 19 rushing attempts for 193 yards and five scores on the ground.

Kiper projects Bowers to land with the New York Jets with the 10th pick, pairing him with star wideout Garret Wilson and future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers. One could imagine how dangerous that group could be if New York can solidify its offensive line.

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We’ll find out for sure where Bowers will take his talents during the first round of the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit on Thursday. You can watch full coverage beginning at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Mel Kiper ranks Georgia’s Javon Bullard as top safety ahead of 2024 NFL draft

Mel Kiper tabs Georgia football defensive back Javon Bullard as favorite safety ahead of NFL draft…

The 2024 NFL draft will take place this week in Detroit and the Georgia Bulldogs are expected have another big year. No other college football program has been as successful as UGA has at the event over the last three years.

Georgia has sent 34 players through the NFL draft over that time span, including 15 selections in 2022, which is a league record.

While players like Brock Bowers and Amarius Mims represent the Bulldogs at the top of this year’s draft, several players are considered unknowns further down the board. One of those prospects is safety Javon Bullard.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has high praise for the two-time national champion defensive back. Kiper recently chose Bullard as his favorite safety (subscription required) ahead of Thursday’s first round.

“As I wrote in my two-round mock draft, Bullard’s value comes in his versatility, as he played as a slot corner, center fielder and up near the line of scrimmage for the Bulldogs. He had four picks over the past two campaigns, and he was stellar in coverage last season. He allowed just 54 passing yards as the nearest defender in coverage in 2023, and that came on 20 attempts.

Bullard is a little undersized at 5-foot-11 and 198 pounds, but I love his all-around game and instincts in coverage.”

Bullard may be undersized by NFL standards, but he plays much bigger. The former three-star prospect routinely delivered gut-wrenching hits to opposing players. Perhaps the most talked about example came in Georgia’s Peach Bowl matchup versus Ohio State. Bullard delivered a powerful, legal hit on star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. that ultimately knocked him out of the game.

Bullard earned Defensive MVP in Georgia’s win over the Buckeyes and went on to earn the same honor in the national championship win over TCU.

After starting at nickelback, or “STAR” in UGA’s nomenclature, in the 2022 season, Bullard moved to safety after NFL departures opened a starting spot in 2023. He didn’t miss a beat, earning second-team All-SEC honors for his efforts.

In 32 games as a Bulldog, Bullard racked up 114 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four interceptions and eight pass breakups.

Kiper projects Bullard to hear his name called on Day 2.

“Projection: In a safety class with no consensus No. 1 guy, Bullard is at the top of my board. He should be drafted in Round 2.”

You can watch first-round coverage of the draft on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN), followed by Rounds 2-3 on Friday (7 p.m.) and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday (noon).

Former Georgia defensive lineman announces transfer destination

Former Georgia defender announces decision to join the Texas Longhorns via the transfer portal

After entering the transfer portal just over a week ago, a former Georgia defender has found his new home. Bill Norton, who spent four years with the Dawgs before playing last season with the Arizona Wildcats, has announced his decision to join the Texas Longhorns for the 2024 season.

Norton is listed at 6-foot-6, 285 pounds, and is originally from Memphis, Tennessee. A four-star recruit in the class of 2019, he recorded 13 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss during his time at Georgia in a limited role. Last season with Arizona, he played in all thirteen games, recording 32 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles for a strong Wildcats’ defense that helped pave the way for their 10-3 season.

Norton will provide a boost to a Longhorn defensive line that is looking to replace two future NFL players in Byron Murphy and T’Vondre Sweat. He joins Tiaoalii Savea as the second Wildcat defensive lineman to join the Longhorns this offseason and is the third transfer into the unit overall as Steve Sarkisian attempts to prepare his roster for their jump into the Southeastern Conference.

Georgia no longer in running for top quarterback recruit

Five-star quarterback Julian Lewis, regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in this cycle, may have ruled out the Bulldogs from consideration.

The Georgia Bulldogs made headlines this past week when they added four-star signal caller Ryan Montgomery in the class of 2025, though it seems the pickup has taken them out of the running for another high profile target. Five-star quarterback Julian Lewis, regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in this cycle, has seemingly ruled out the Bulldogs from consideration. “They got their guy for 2025,” said Lewis in an interview with Rivals.

Lewis, listed at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, has been committed to Southern California since August, but Georgia was originally among the programs that were considered a threat to flip him. Lewis is originally from Carrollton, Georgia, and had most recently visited the Bulldogs at junior day in February. Auburn, Colorado, and Alabama are all still seen as contenders in Lewis’ ongoing recruitment along with the Trojans.

Lewis’ decision and Matt Zollers’ commitment to Missouri, coupled with the Bulldogs’ pursuit of Jaden Rashada in the transfer portal, would seem to indicate that Montgomery will be the lone quarterback signee in the class of 2025. The Bulldogs’ also hold a commitment from Jared Curtis, who is the top ranked quarterback in the class of 2026.

Georgia transfer RB Andrew Paul visiting Big Ten school

UGA football transfer running back Andrew Paul is slated to visit a Big Ten school on April 20

Georgia Bulldogs running back Andrew Paul is in the NCAA transfer portal. Paul is likely looking for a larger role after having an impressive spring with Georgia.

Paul is reportedly visiting the Michigan Spartans on April 20. Paul put together a strong performance in Georgia’s spring game, recording four carries for 44 rushing yards.

Paul, a former three-star recruit, was projected to be part of Georgia’s running backs rotation. The Dallas, Texas, product accumulated 129 rushing yards and a touchdown on 29 carries in 2023. Paul missed the 2022 season with a torn ACL and was finally looking fully healthy.

247Sports ranks Andrew Paul as a three-star transfer. He is considered the No. 647 player in the transfer portal and the No. 59 running back.

Four-star OL Jaylen Gilchrist names top schools

Four-star offensive line prospect Jaylen Gilchrist names his top seven schools

Four-star offensive tackle prospect Jaylen Gilchrist has named his top schools. Gilchrist, a member of the class of 2025, plays high school football for Salem High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Gilchrist is ranked as the nation’s No. 81 recruit and the third-ranked prospect in Virginia. Gilchrist is the fourth-ranked interior offensive lineman in the class of 2025.

Gilchrist’s top schools are South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Penn State and Maryland. The four-star is currently projected to commit to South Carolina, per 247Sports.

The 6-foot-4, 290-pound interior offensive lineman has experience playing on both sides of the ball. Gilchrist has experience playing both offensive tackle and offensive guard at the high school level.

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The Salem High School standout announced his top seven schools via social media:

Georgia football currently is in the middle of the pack in the SEC in the class of 2025 recruiting cycle. However, Kirby Smart and company are building momentum and are poised to rise up the recruiting rankings.