Tag: Jamon Dumas-Johnson

UGA playing pair of familiar faces against Kentucky

Georgia football will face two UGA transfers that are now on the Kentucky Wildcats.

The Georgia Bulldogs will be facing a pair of familiar faces on Saturday night against the Kentucky Wildcats. Former Georgia quarterback Brock Vandagriff and linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson both transferred from Georgia to Kentucky in the offseason.

Vandagriff and Dumas-Johnson both hold significant roles for the Wildcats. Vandagriff is Kentucky’s starting quarterback and Dumas-Johnson starts at middle linebacker.

The duo is recent experienced a new feeling. Both Vandagriff, a junior, and Dumas-Johnson, a senior, suffered the first regular season loss of their respective college football careers in Kentucky’s 31-6 home defeat to South Carolina.

How Vandagriff and Dumas-Johnson respond to defeat may define their careers. Unfortunately, they won’t have an easy task in Week 3 as Kentucky hosts No. 1 Georgia.

Both Vandagriff and Dumas-Johnson have a special place in the hearts of Georgia fans. The duo helped Georgia win back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart notes that because players transfer does not mean that they should be viewed as a failure.

“Not everybody’s looking to transfer early and often,” said Kirby Smart on quarterbacks in the transfer portal. “They all want to play; they don’t all want to transfer.”

Smart notes that it is particularly tough for quarterbacks because most teams just play one quarterback at once.

“I say at the quarterback position, there comes a point in time when if you haven’t played, you’re running out of time to play,” continued Smart. “So, I don’t know what you want a kid to do. Wait out his whole career and not play? He (Brock Vandagriff) did graduate, he became a better player.”

“He certainly feels that he had a great experience at Georgia, and he has two national championship rings,” said Smart on Vandagriff. “So, I think that that’s a positive more than it is any kind of negative.”

Brock Vandagriff has 199 passing yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions through two games. His QBR of 18.4 is ranked No. 127 in the country.

Vandagriff is getting the playing time he was looking for, but he is not performing as well as he’d like. He managed just three completions on 10 attempts for 30 yards and an interception in the Wildcats’ loss to South Carolina. He’ll have to play better to give Kentucky a shot against Georgia.

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Dumas-Johnson has six tackles and an interception through two games with Kentucky. Dumas-Johnson says he’s still buddies with his old teammates and comes back to Athens to visit, but that he has not been talking to many of his old UGA teammates this week.

“I ain’t lose in a long time, so definitely didn’t feel good,” said Dumas-Johnson ahead of the Georgia game. “But, you know, you win some, you
lose some… (I’m) not used to losing them.”

Kentucky transfer makes ESPN list of top 100 college football newcomers

Jamon Dumas-Johnson continues to receive praise heading into the 2024 college football.

ESPN’s Max Olson and Eli Lederman released a list of the top 100 newcomers in college football ($) on Monday.

Kentucky transfer Jamon Dumas-Johnson made the list and was ranked the No. 23 best overall transfer from the portal. While not a newcomer to college football, Dumas-Johnson is entering his first season in the Wildcats’ program after spending parts of three seasons with Georgia.

Per ESPN’s ranking of Dumas-Johnson:

“”Pop” Dumas-Johnson earned first-team All-America honors as a sophomore on Georgia’s absolutely loaded 2022 defense that won the national championship. He was a 24-game starter at linebacker for Kirby Smart and produced 126 tackles, 17 TFLs and 9.5 sacks. Players with those achievements rarely end up in the portal, but Kentucky is glad he became available. Dumas-Johnson has made a big impression on his new coaches as an ideal replacement for third-round NFL pick Trevin Wallace.”

Dumas-Johnson was a beast in the Bulldogs’ linebacking corps, starting all nine games he played in last year before suffering a season-ending forearm injury in Georgia’s 30-21 win over Missouri on Nov. 4 at Faurot Field.

A native of Baltimore, Dumas-Johnson recorded 34 total tackles (29 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks a season ago. In three years in Athens, he racked up 83 solo tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception return for touchdown. In 2022, he started all 15 games during the Bulldogs’ 15-0 national championship season.

Earlier this month, Dumas-Johnson was named to the Comeback Player of the Year Award watch list by College Sports Communicators in association with The Associated Press (AP) and the Fiesta Bowl Organization.

He was also named to the 2024 Preseason Media Days All-Southeastern Conference teams. ESPN ranked Dumas-Johnson the No. 113 overall player in college football entering the 2024 season.

Kentucky opens the season against Southern Miss in prime time Saturday at Kroger Field (7:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network).

Four Kentucky players make list of Top 150 college football player rankings for 2024

Deone Walker and Barion Brown were the two highest-ranked Kentucky players on CBS Sports’ list, which also included Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Maxwell Hairston.

CBS Sports unveiled its rankings of the Top 151 college football players heading into the 2024 season Monday.

Four Kentucky players made the list, with defensive lineman Deone Walker the highest-ranked Wildcats player at No. 40 overall. Walker was followed by receiver/return specialist Barion Brown at No. 46.

Linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson (No. 113 overall) and cornerback Maxwell Hairston made the list (No. 124), as well.

Walker enters his junior season having been named to various preseason awards watch lists, including the Bednarik Award, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Lott IMPACT Trophy.

College football analyst Blake Brockermeyer said of Walker:

“The All-SEC defensive tackle is a presence in the middle and has tons of game experience, starting 25 of the last 26 for the Wildcats. Walker is surprisingly quick and athletic in condensed spaces and has a knack for finding the football while he’s being double teamed. His road to 7.5 sacks last season was paved by power first, counters and hand-swipes second. Opponents want nothing to do with him, I promise you that. There are some T’Vondre Sweat vibes here.”

In ESPN’s rankings last week, Walker was ranked the No. 21 overall player heading into 2024.

The second highest ranked Wildcat on CBS Sports’ list, Brown finished last season with 40 receptions for 439 yards and three touchdowns. He also returned three kicks for scores.

Brockermeyer had this to say about Brown:

“An explosive playmaker in multiple phases for the Wildcats. Brown doubles as a returner and has the ability to take it to the house any time he touches the ball, scoring three touchdowns on returns last year. Brown’s only knock is he suffered six drops last year and lost two fumbles. Has the ability to be one of the top receivers in the country but needs the ball more.”

Dumas-Johnson transferred to Kentucky from Georgia, where he was part of the Bulldogs’ 2022 national championship team that went 15-0. He played in nine games a season ago before suffering a broken forearm in Georgia’s Nov. 4 win at Missouri. Dumas-Johnson had 34 tackles (29 solo), 3.5 sacks and two passes defended in 2023.

For his part, Hairston had five interceptions last season, good for fifth in the nation and first in the SEC. He had two memorable interceptions returned for touchdown in Kentucky’s 45-28 win at Vanderbilt on Sept. 23, adding a forced fumbled and six passes defended across 13 games. Hairston was the only other ranked Wildcats player on ESPN’s list at No. 84 overall.

Kentucky opens the season in prime time on Aug. 31 at Kroger Field against Southern Miss, Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on SEC Network.

ESPN analysts give their power rankings for all 16 teams of the SEC

ESPN analysts took a deep dive into the SEC, including giving their power rankings.

The SEC is always an interesting conference during football season, and this year, it figures to be even more fascinating.

The additions of Oklahoma and Texas make the SEC even more difficult that it has been, and gives the conference even more national title contenders. Where does Kentucky fit into the new-look SEC?

ESPN analysts Chris Low and Mark Schlabach took a look at the SEC on Thursday, examining Playoff, the top players, and their power rankings. Kentucky comes in down the list a little bit at tenth. They had this to say about the Wildcats:

Mark Stoops is the dean of SEC coaches, entering his 11th season at Kentucky. He’s won 10 games twice in his last five seasons, but is looking to regroup after going 7-6 a year ago and nearly being named the Texas A&M coach.

Low and Schlabach also listed a Kentucky linebacker as one of the conference’s top transfer additions. Jamon Dumas-Johnson came over from Georgia, where he had 24 starts. He should be one of the SEC’s best linebackers.

Related: Analyst says Kentucky is best team in Bluegrass State

Defensive lineman Deone Walker was also mentioned as on of their favorite players in the league.

The massive anchor of Kentucky’s defense is going to be one of the most coveted players in next year’s NFL draft because of his size (6-6, 345 pounds) and athleticism. He had 12.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and 8 quarterback hurries last season, despite facing myriad double-team blocks. He is already being compared to NFL starters Derrick Brown and Dexter Lawrence.

It’s an exciting season for the SEC as a whole. Kentucky has a brutal schedule, and getting back to a bowl game won’t be easy. However, they have a talented and experienced team, and will be fun to watch, no matter what happens.

 

Five Kentucky Wildcats named preseason All-SEC

The five players are Deone Walker, Barion Brown, Maxwell Hairston, Marques Cox and Jaman Dumas-Johnson.

Following the conclusion of SEC Media Days in Dallas last week, five Kentucky players were named to the 2024 Preseason Media Days All-Southeastern Conference teams on Friday.

The list includes junior defensive lineman and preseason Walter Camp selection Deone Walker and junior defensive back Maxwell Hairston — both First Team selections.

Junior wide receiver Barion Brown was named a First Team selection as a return specialist and a Third Team all-purpose selection. Two other Kentucky starters were named Third Team selections, as well: senior offensive lineman Marques Cox and senior linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson.

Walker had a breakthrough 2023 season, leading the Wildcats in tackles for loss (12.5), sacks (7.5) and quarterback hurries (8).

Brown led the nation with three kickoffs returned for touchdowns in 2023. He caught 43 passes for 539 yards and four touchdowns, including a 60-yard touchdown catch against Clemson in the Gator Bowl.

Hairston was fifth in the nation in interceptions last season with five, including two returned for touchdowns in Kentucky’s 45-28 win at Vanderbilt on September 23. He returned an interception 29 yard for a touchdown in the first quarter and later returned one 54 yards in the fourth quarter for the Wildcats’ final score.

Cox started all 13 games for Kentucky at left tackle a season ago.

Johnson, who transferred from Georgia in December, played in eight games before suffering a season-ending forearm injury in the Bulldogs’ win over Missouri on Nov. 4. He finished the season with 34 tackles (29 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two pass breakups.

Johnson enters the 2024 season with 125 career tackles (83 solo), 17 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks and seven pass breakups with one interception and a forced fumbled.

Former Georgia LB makes PFF’s All-Transfer team

Georgia transfer linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson named to PFF’s All-Transfer team

Former Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson has made the Pro Football Focus All-Transfer team. Dumas-Johnson, who transferred to Kentucky, entered the 2023 college football season as a preseason All-SEC selection.

Dumas-Johnson’s 2023 season did not go as planned as he suffered a forearm injury and missed a few games to end Georgia’s season. Dumas-Johnson, a former four-star recruit, recorded 34 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2023.

Dumas-Johnson will instantly be one of Kentucky’s top defenders. He is an excellent blitzer (9.5 career sacks) and has sideline-to-sideline speed.

Dumas-Johnson missed the final five games of the 2023 season with a fractured forearm. The year before, he paced all SEC linebackers with a 79.7 run-defense grade and ranked second with a 26.7% pressure rate. He’ll be a leader of Kentucky’s defense next season.

The former Georgia inside linebacker will play against his former collegiate home on Sept. 14 in Week 3. The Wildcats also picked up another elite Georgia transfer in quarterback Brock Vandagriff. Bulldog fans will be rooting for Dumas-Johnson and Vandagriff in 2024, but not in Week 3.

Former Georgia LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson announces transfer destination

In case you missed it: Jamon Dumas-Johnson transfers to SEC foe

Former Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson announced his decision to transfer to the University of Kentucky. One of Georgia’s leading tacklers will stay in the SEC and join the Wildcats.

Kentucky has been resourceful with the portal over the last couple of seasons, and adding Dumas-Johnson could be their best addition yet. Dumas-Johnson was an impact player on the Bulldogs defense at the middle level. He was often the field general before a fractured forearm took him out for the rest of the season.

Dumas-Johnson finished his three-year career in Athens with 125 tackles, 9.5 sacks and one interception. This move puts Smael Mondon Jr. at the forefront of the defense. He announced his decision to stay at Georgia a couple of days ago, and he’ll be the leader in the linebacker room. Sophomore CJ Allen will also be critical as he filled in for Dumas-Johnson toward the end of the season.

The 6-foot-1, 235 pound linebacker is a former four-star recruit and will be entering his senior season with Kentucky. The former Georgia linebacker is the second player to transfer from Georgia to Kentucky joining Brock Vandagriff. Georgia will travel to Kentucky in Week 3 next season.

Former Georgia LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson visiting Auburn

Jamon Dumas-Johnson started 24 games for Georgia before jumping into the transfer portal.

[autotag]Jamon Dumas-Johnson[/autotag] spent the past three seasons at Georgia but on Thursday he decided to enter the transfer portal.

[autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] and Co. have quickly gotten involved with the former starter and are hosting him on an official visit, according to On3’s Jeffrey Lee.

Dumas-Johnson was an immediate contributor in Athens, appearing in 12 games his freshman season a reserve before becoming a starter in 2022. He started 24 straight games for the Dawgs from 2022-23 before a forearm injury ended his junior season after nine games.

In 38 career games, he made 126 tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks and defended seven passes.

Auburn has had a slow start to the transfer portal season so far, landing just one commitment from former Georgia State wide receiver Robert Lewis. Freeze admitted that he may need to consider tweaking Auburn’s strategy when recruiting transfers.

“I don’t think I’ve done very well, truthfully. It’s difficult. I think my gift and the success I’ve had, or lack thereof, in recruiting is typically relationship driven. Over the course of time, I think I can prove that I’m interested in that as much if not more than others. In the portal, it’s different. The reasons are maybe a little bit different for some leaving than others. You have to try to prove to them, initially on a phone call, that they should look at Auburn. We’ve done OK with that, but we’ve had many visits set and they’ve never even made it to campus. They’ve already decided where they’re going before, we ever get in front of them, which is a bit different for me. Maybe I need to change our approach some to that, but before we get really serious with somebody, I’d love to get in front of them and have some conversations. Who knows what’s the best way to go about it right now? But I think we’re all kind of in some trial and error to see what works and what doesn’t. Again, idealistically I’d love just to sign a bunch of high school kids, build great relationships with them, and never lose them. That may be in dreamland with the way the climate of college football is, but it sure would be nice to do that. The portal, maybe we try to start visiting with them as soon as you can instead of setting up a weekend that never happens. I don’t know. It’s been challenging to figure out.”

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Georgia LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson enters transfer portal

Georgia LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson enters transfer portal

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson is entering the transfer portal, per Matt Zenitz of 247Sports.

Dumas-Johnson was one of Georgia’s leading tacklers on the team in 2022 and entered 2023 as a preseason first-team All-American. His season was cut short after fracturing his forearm in the Missouri game.

Dumas-Johnson had 34 total tackles on the season and 3.5 sacks. He was a two-time champion with the Bulldogs and finishes his Georgia career with 126 tackles and 9.5 sacks.

Dumas-Johnson joins a list of transfers leaving Athens, that includes multiple linebackers. Players like Darris Smith, Marvin Jones, C.J. Madden and a couple more are all linebackers in the portal as of right now.

The Bulldogs are welcoming in the No. 1 and No. 3 linebacker recruits in the 2023 class. Justin Williams is a 6-foot-2 five-star that comes from Conroe, Texas, and he’s the No. 1 ranked linebacker. Chris Cole, from Salem, VA, is the No. 3 linebacker standing at 6-foot-3 and he’s a four-star.

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Dumas-Johnson was tabbed as the voice of the Bulldogs defense throughout the season and his leadership was missed in Georgia’s loss against Alabama. With Dumas-Johnson, the Bulldogs will rely on C.J. Allen heading into his sophomore season. The Bulldogs are also waiting on a decision from Smael Mondon Jr. on whether or not he declares for the NFL draft.

Injury update on star Georgia LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson

Georgia football will look for true freshman linebacker CJ Allen to step up in Jamon Dumas-Johnson’s absence

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson suffered a fractured forearm in Georgia’s 30-21 win over Missouri. Missouri quickly capitalized on Dumas-Johnson’s injury and ran for a touchdown to cut into Georgia’s lead.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart does not think the star linebacker will be able to play through the injury with a cast.

I don’t think so. I don’t know. We’ll see, I just got a text with the X-rays but it’s one of those that I doubt he’ll be able to.

Dumas-Johnson’s timeline for return is unclear. Dumas-Johnson’s 29 solo tackles and 3.5 sacks are big reasons why Georgia’s defense has been one of the best in the SEC. Georgia will continue to start Smael Mondon at linebacker, but will look for true freshman CJ Allen to step up in Dumas-Johnson’s absence.

True freshman Raylen Wilson also saw additional snaps after Dumas-Johnson went down. Georgia linebacker Xavian Sorey is another option at inside linebacker, but Sorey missed the Missouri game.

Georgia has been relying on another inside linebacker, Jalon Walker, as a pass rusher and will likely turn to CJ Allen, a former elite recruit, to start in place on Dumas-Johnson.