Tag: jake fromm nfl

Georgia football: Kirby Smart just keeps reloading

Georgia football and Kirby Smart just keep reloading.

Georgia’s 2019 offense left a lot to be desired, even with three year starter Jake Fromm under center.

The defense is what ultimately got Georgia as far as it went last season, while other SEC powerhouses – Alabama and LSU – were able to adapt to the current trends and put up record breaking offensive numbers.

Georgia, though, stayed behind, sticking to its possession-style offense. And it did not work great.

So, when Fromm announced he was declaring for the NFL Draft and skipping his senior season, there was real concern among DawgNation. If Georgia’s offense was mediocre with Fromm, how bad would it be next year with potentially a true freshman slinging it around?

Luckily for Georgia, Kirby Smart went out and secured graduate transfer quarterback Jamie Newman from Wake Forest. In Newman the Bulldogs get an experienced signal caller who can make any throw on the field and is more than capable of taking off and running if asked to.

And then there’s offensive line coach Sam Pittman, who left to take the head coaching job at Arkansas. When he left, so did four of our starting offensive linemen. Three declared for the draft and one, Cade Mays, transferred to Tennessee. We can’t bring back the four departed linemen, but Smart did the next best thing by hiring former Ole Miss head coach Matt Luke as offensive line coach — a move that has been praised nationwide.

And today, Friday, Smart made another big splash when it was reported that he has hired Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Todd Monken to replace James Coley. With Monken now calling the plays, Coley is expected to slide into another role within the Georgia offense, ESPN’s Schlabach reported.

On a recruiting level, Smart has been to his same old success. The Dawgs have the third ranked recruiting class and could still climb to No. 2 if all the chips fall in place.

Just a few weeks ago, Georgia fans were in their annual widespread panic about the future of the Bulldogs. And as he’s done the past 4 years, Smart quickly put an end to that panic.

With two big hires and securing Newman in Athens, there’s no reason to think the Dawgs won’t be back contending for a title again next year.

ESPN analyst has Georgia football QB Jake Fromm moving up in NFL draft

ESPN analyst Todd McShay has Georgia football QB Jake Fromm moving up in the NFL Draft.

Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm, who elected to skip his senior year and test the NFL draft, has one influential football analyst predicting Fromm made the right decision to move on.

ESPN analyst Todd McShay has Fromm rated as the 28th overall player and the fourth best quarterback in the draft. Fromm was 35-7 as UGA’s starter and 13-7 against Top 25 teams during his three years in Athens.

“There’s a reason talented quarterbacks such as Justin Fields and Jacob Eason kept transferring out of Georgia,” McShay wrote on Wednesday.

“Though he is the least physically gifted of the top five quarterbacks in the class, Fromm is the type of QB who will always find a way to win and excel with high-end football intelligence.”

In Yahoo Sports mock draft, they have Fromm selected by Chicago in the second round, 43rd overall, but the Bears first pick. USA Today has Fromm going to the Las Vegas Raiders (sounds a bit strange) in the third round with the 91st overall pick.

The 2020 NFL Draft will be the 85th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible players. The draft is scheduled to be held from April 23–25, 2020 in Las Vegas.

PFF ranks Georgia QB Jake Fromm and newcomer Jamie Newman

PFF ranks Georgia football QB Jake Fromm and newcomer Jamie Newman.

The analytical gurus at Pro Football Focus reviewed each play this season for each of the 130 FBS starting quarterbacks. They ranked each player based on several metrics, including strength of each opponent.

Georgia quarter back Jake Fromm was graded at eighth highest for the season. Incoming grad transfer (Wake Forest) Jamie Newman graded out at No. 16, after beginning the season at No. 7.

LSU’s Joe Burrow, Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, Ohio State’s Justin Fields and Jalen Hurts from Oklahoma were the top four college quarterbacks in 2019.

Here is PFF’s analysis of Fromm and Newman:

Fromm:

It wasn’t always pretty from Fromm this season, but he just simply got the job done when he needed to (save for one outing against South Carolina). Outside of the game against SC, he just simply didn’t make many unforced errors in 2019, and that will certainly take him far at the next level.  He had elite passing grades on throws over the middle just the same as he did on throws outside, finishing with the 10th-most big-time throws on passes outside the numbers. Fromm’s departure to the NFL draft gives way for the Newman transfer as he’ll have big shoes to fill in Athens.

Newman:

Newman finished the year as the country’s sixth highest-graded quarterback on all throws at least 10 yards downfield, completing passes at a high rate and uncorking 22 big-time throws compared to just four turnover-worthy passes. He stood tall in the pocket and utilized his big arm to squeeze throws into tight windows, seemingly at will. When necessary, Newman took something off the ball and floated passes into his big receivers on the outside. He was the country’s 10th highest-graded passer on throws outside the numbers in 2019, completing 106-of-175 attempts for 1,548 yards, 17 touchdowns and 13 of his big-time throws came on such passes.

List of UGA football’s 2020 NFL Draft decisions

Numerous Georgia Bulldogs are headed to the NFL Draft, including QB Jake Fromm. UGA is losing several lineman and lots of defenders.

It’s decision time for many of the veteran members of the Georgia Bulldogs: enter the 2020 NFL Draft or return to Athens for another season. Each player’s decision is their own choice, but it is always beneficial to a program when veteran players return for another shot at the College Football Playoffs.

So far, Georgia’s quarterback Jake Fromm, right tackle Isaiah Wilson, left guard Solomon Kindley, running back D’Andre Swift, and left tackle Andrew Thomas have declared for the 2020 NFL Draft.

Nov 2, 2019; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart talks with quarterback Jake Fromm (11) as they beat the Florida Gators at TIAA Bank Field. UGA fans will miss Fromm, who went 3-0 in his career versus Florida. Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia’s defense is getting a boost with the returns of cornerbacks Mark Webb, Eric Stokes, safety Richard LeCounte, linebacker Monty Rice, and defensive lineman Malik Herring.

On the other side of the football, offensive lineman Justin Shaffer will be back. UGA’s offensive line has been purged by the NFL and a transfer.

College football players have until the 20th of January to determine if they wish to enter into the 2020 NFL Draft. Juniors and redshirt sophomores are the primary players contemplating their NFL decisions.

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Georgia will notably lose the following key seniors as well: kicker Rodrigo Blankenship, defensive tackle Michael Barnett, defensive lineman David Marshall, defensive lineman Tyler Clark, linebacker Tae Crowder, receiver Tyler Simmons, safety J.R. Reed, receiver Lawrence Cager, tight end Eli Wolf, tight end Charlie Woerner, and running back Brian Herrien. UGA is losing several other seniors, who didn’t play as much as this group.

Oct 5, 2019; Knoxville, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Richard LeCounte (2) celebrates with defensive back J.R. Reed (20) after intercepting a pass during the third quarter in a game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Photo Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports

The rest of UGA’s juniors and redshirt sophomores have yet to reach their decisions or are expected to return. Here’s the most important veteran player deciding on his NFL future:

DL Devonte Wyatt

For now, UGA is mostly finished with players entering the NFL Draft. Wyatt is anticipated to return. Georgia’s offseason will still have many ups and downs.

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Twitter reacts: Jake Fromm declares for NFL Draft

Fromm is one of the finest to ever suit up in red and black. Rightfully so, Bulldog Nation reacts with gratitude.

Georgia’s 2020 offensive rebuild just got a lot harder. Junior quarterback Jake Fromm, who started all but the first game of his collegiate career, has declared to forego his senior year and enter the 2020 NFL Draft.

Fromm finishes his career donning silver britches having won 36 games (including the 2017 season opener in which he relieved an injured Jacob Eason and never looked back) and heaving led the Dawgs to three consecutive SEC East titles, one SEC title, and a Rose Bowl victory along the way.

He is the third Bulldog quarterback to finish his tenure undefeated when starting against the Florida Gators. The other two: John Rauch from 1945-1948 and Buck Belue from 1979-1981.

He never lost to Tennessee or Georgia Tech, either.

The decision is surprising to some, as Fromm’s 2019 completion percentage was his lowest in his three years in Athens.

He entered his final season as a projected first round pick, but without three of his favorite receivers from 2018 and with new starters struggling to separate, Fromm has fallen in mock drafts.

Regardless of where he’s drafted, Jake Fromm is one of the finest quarterbacks to ever suit up in red and black. Rightfully so, the Bulldog Nation has reacted with immense gratitude.

 

Georgia football to get one more year from LB Monty Rice

Georgia football linebacker Monty Rice announced that he is staying at Georgia and skipping the NFL Draft

Georgia junior linebacker Monty Rice, one of the most underrated defenders in all of college football, has reached a decision on his future.

Today being Rice’s birthday, the star linebacker announced on Wednesday that he will be returning to Georgia for one final season, foregoing the NFL Draft.

Rice was Georgia’s leading tackler this season with 89 and made the AP All-SEC second team.

As a high school prospect out of Madison, Alabama, Rice was a 4-star player. He was ranked the 334th overall recruit in his class by 247Sports.

Rice joins fellow defenders cornerback Eric Stokes, safety Richard LeCounte and defensive lineman Malik Herring as players who are returning to Athens next season.

On offense, things have been going differently, however. Offensive linemen Andrew Thomas, Solomon Kindley and Isaiah Wilson have all declared for the draft, as well as running back D’Andre Swift.

With all the returning and incoming talent on Georgia’s defense, the dawgs could have an even better 2020 than they did in 2019.

The big one we are all waiting on is Jake Fromm, who has not announced a decision yet.

Tracking UGA football’s NFL Draft decisions

Georgia football’s QB Jake Fromm, LB Monty Rice, OL Solomon Kindley, and DL Devonte Wyatt are among the list of players considering the NFL.

It’s decision time for many of the veteran members of the Georgia Bulldogs: enter the 2020 NFL  Draft or return to Athens for another season. Each players decision is their own choice, but it is always beneficial to a program when veteran players return for another shot at the College Football Playoffs.

So far, Georgia’s right tackle Isaiah Wilson, running back D’Andre Swift, and left tackle Andrew Thomas have declared for the 2020 NFL Draft.

Kirby Smart and D’Andre Swift walk off the field after defeating the Texas A&M Aggies at Sanford Stadium. Swift’s last game in Athens was one of his best.  Photo courtesy of Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia’s defense is getting a boost with the returns of safety Richard LeCounte and defensive lineman Malik Herring.

College football players have until the 20th of January to determine if they wish to enter into the 2020 NFL Draft. Juniors and redshirt sophomores are the primary players contemplating their NFL decisions.

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Georgia will notably lose the following key seniors as well: kicker Rodrigo Blankenship, defensive tackle Michael Barnett, defensive lineman David Marshall, defensive lineman Tyler Clark, linebacker Tae Crowder, receiver Tyler Simmons, safety J.R. Reed, receiver Lawrence Cager, tight end Eli Wolf, tight end Charlie Woerner, and running back Brian Herrien. UGA is losing several other seniors, who didn’t play as much as this group.

Oct 5, 2019; Knoxville, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Richard LeCounte (2) celebrates with defensive back J.R. Reed (20) after intercepting a pass during the third quarter in a game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Photo Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports

The rest of UGA’s juniors and redshirt sophomores have yet to reach their decisions. Here’s the most important veteran players deciding on their NFL futures:

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Will UGA pursue most talented graduate transfer QB on the market?

The Georgia Bulldogs may be looking for the next great transfer quarterback, especially with Jake Fromm potentially entering the NFL Draft

The Georgia Bulldogs may be looking for the next great transfer quarterback this off-season. With Jake Fromm potentially entering into the NFL Draft after the Sugar Bowl, Georgia must be prepared to pursue all options this off-season. As it currently stands, four-star QB commit Carson Beck is set to be the favorite for Georgia’s starting job if Fromm heads to the NFL.

Georgia has lost their fair share of QBs to the transfer portal over the years, but is it time for UGA to go into the portal to secure a talented passer? It’d give Beck one year to develop and learn the system before starting. Beck wouldn’t have to start at Alabama early next season.

If Fromm doesn’t return, Kirby Smart may want to pursue Wake Forest’s Jamie Newman. Newman helped lead Wake Forest to a 9-5 season. He put up impressive numbers last season:

Other talented QBs in the portal include: K.J. Costello (Stanford), Feleipe Franks (Florida, no thanks), Justin Rogers (TCU), and Jack Allison (West Virginia). Who will be the next transfer to be a Heisman contender? The best bet would be Wake Forest’s Jamie Newman.

As for now, it is only speculation on where is next for Newman. UGA may not need a QB next season with either Fromm or Beck. Regardless, Georgia could use a back-up.

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The Georgia Bulldogs are your 2020 Sugar Bowl champs – Quick thoughts

Georgia football is the Sugar Bowl champions after beating Baylor in New Orleans.

Georgia is undefeated in the new decade.

The Dawgs moved to 12-2 on the season and 1-0 in 2020 after defeating No. 7 Baylor 26-14 in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.

Things were just clicking on Wednesday night against a Bears defense that is one of the best in the country.

But with 10+ key players sitting out the game, Georgia still came to play. After an embarrassing defeat last year, Kirby Smart made sure that the players who actually wanted to be there were ready for it.

Despite the fact that this was essentially an exhibition game, the win leaves Georgia fans with a nice feeling about things to come.

Recruiting is not over, and I’m sure Georgia targets were impressed by how the Dawgs played.

Speaking of recruiting, the Dawgs have a few big ones coming up this week. 5-stars Zach Evans (RB) and Darnell Washington (TE) will be making their announcements live during the the Under Armour All-American Game on Thursday. Coverage will begin at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.

Looking to next year, we saw a few players who are sure to make a big impact in 2020.

Zamir White took 18 carries for 92 yards. Kenny McIntosh, a freshman, took six carries and looked good as well. It will be interesting to see how they are used next year when Kendall Milton and possibly Evans come to town.

And then there was George Pickens, who was named MVP of the game. Pickens, a true freshman, hauled in 12 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown.

When interviewed, Pickens said “my offensive line is amazing. My quarterback is amazing.”

He then continued to praise his team.

“Put the camera on all these guys. I love them to death.”

Let’s talk about junior safety Richard LeCounte for a second. He receives a decent amount of unwarranted criticism on Twitter, but #2 is an absolute baller. His jersey number matched the amount of interceptions he had on Wednesday night. His NFL decision is unknown at this point, but we will have an answer on that shortly I’d assume.

As for Jake Fromm, the junior threw 30 passes, completing 20 of them for 250 yards, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions. When asked about what his future holds after the game, Fromm did not hint at whether or not he’s staying at Georgia. Instead, he praised God and his teammates. We will have to wait on that one.

D’Andre Swift is viewed as the No. 1 running back in this draft class by ESPN’s Todd McShay. We do not know what he’s going to do, but everyone expects Swift to turn pro. But what he did do was make the trip to New Orleans with his teammates. He was nursing a shoulder injury, but played through as much as he could.

After the game, Kirby praised the junior tailback for his dedication and for what he does off the field.

Kirby was clearly emotional about this win. Following the game, passion was pouring out of the former Bulldog as he hoisted the Sugar Bowl trophy with confetti flying.

Kirby called a great, aggressive game. He was aggressive on defense, pulled out some trickery on a flea flicker and a fake field goal. 

James Coley was also on his game. He was willing to adapt, call outside run plays and get his best available players into a spot where they were able to succeed.

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With the 2019 season officially over for Georgia, we look ahead to a 2020 that will see the Dawgs open with Virginia in Atlanta.

In week three, UGA travels to Tuscaloosa in what will surely be the game of the season at that point.

And Auburn, which complained about its schedule enough that the SEC finally did something, will be coming to Athens in early October rather than November.

Georgia vs Florida will be played on Halloween night in Jacksonville.

The South Carolina and Tennessee games will both be played in November, which will be an odd change of pace. Those games are typically in the first half of the year.

I predict 11-1, with the only loss coming to Alabama.

Dawgs vs Bama in the SEC Championship.

We’ll see….