Tag: Jermaine johnson uga

Georgia transfer OLB Jermaine Johnson chooses Florida State

Georgia linebacker Jermaine Johnson is transferring to Florida State. Details and depth chart projections for 2021 here.

Last week in a surprising move, Georgia linebacker Jermaine Johnson, who is second on the team in sacks in 2020 with five, entered the Transfer Portal. 

On Saturday, the senior announced that he is headed to Florida State.

Johnson, from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, played for Last Chance U’s Independence Community College before transferring to Georgia in 2019 as the No. 1 rated JUCO prospect in the nation.

After playing in 14 games in 2019, totaling 20 tackles, three tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, Johnson broke out for the Bulldogs in just seven games played this season, racking up 16 tackles, five tackles for loss and 5 sacks.

Johnson is allowed another year of eligibility because of the NCAA’s extension of student-athlete eligibility for the 2020-2021 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The decision to transfer was unexpected because of Georgia’s linebacker depth chart projections for 2021.

Team sack-leader and Bednarick Award semi-finalist Azeez Ojulari has been projected as a first-round pick in some NFL mock drafts and early reports say the redshirt sophomore will indeed enter the 2021 draft, seemingly leaving a big spot to fill, which most believed Johnson would take over next season.

Not to say that Georgia does not have pass-rushers to step up after the departure of Ojulari and now Johnson, because it does.

Sophomore Nolan Smith is a former 5-star recruit who can dominate games at times and explosive junior Adam Anderson ranks third on the team in sacks in 2020 with 4.5.

Joining them will be a loaded 2021 recruiting class from the linebacker position, featuring 4-star Chaz Chambliss and 5-star Xavian Sorey. Both guys can play multiple positions and should get meaningful reps with the gaps left by Ojulari and Johnson.

 

Georgia OLB Jermaine Johnson entering NCAA transfer portal

Georgia football OLB Jermaine Johnson will be entering the NCAA transfer portal in hopes to find a new home with more playing time.

Georgia senior outside linebacker Jermaine Johnson is set to enter the NCAA transfer portal, confirmed by Dawgs Daily on SI.com after being reported first by UGASports.com.

“He’s opting out, he’s going to transfer, he’ll be in the portal today,” Jermaine’s father Jay said.

Johnson has another year of eligibility granted from the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as do all fall athletes.

This is yet another Dawg to enter the transfer portal this season, joining tight end Kolby Wyatt, offensive lineman Netori Johnson and wide receiver Makiya Tongue.  Quarterback D’Wan Mathis also announced that he will be transferring to Temple this Monday.

Johnson was given an opportunity last season by Georgia head coach Kirby Smart.  Prior to his time with the Dawgs, Johnson attended Independence Community College in Kansas.  He was featured in the third season of the Netflix documentary “Last Chance U” before gaining national attention from FBS schools.

Johnson played in all 14 games in 2019, tallying 20 tackles, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble.  This season he has seen time in seven of nine games, putting up 5 sacks (second most on team) and 11 quarterback pressures.  Johnson has started three games this year but wants to explore his options, hoping to find more playing time elsewhere.

“He wants to be able to use his talents,” Johnson’s father said. “Jermaine is a Dawg. He would have loved nothing more than to leave as a Dawg going to the league, but you can’t get to the league without film and the constant rotation for no reason, that’s not going to do it.”

This is a big loss for the Dawgs but Georgia is very deep at the outside linebacker position with Azeez Ojulari, Nolan Smith and Adam Anderson, so should be able to manage the absence of Johnson.

UGA linebacker named breakout player for 2020 season

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Nakobe Dean has been named a defensive breakout player heading into the 2020 college football season.

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Nakobe Dean has been named a defensive breakout player heading into the 2020 college football season. ESPN and SEC Network Analyst Cole Cubelic named Dean one of the SEC’s breakout players for the upcoming season.

We have to agree with Cubelic here. Nakobe Dean is an impressive athlete with excellent awareness. Dean is great at recognizing plays and has elite speed.

Here’s an example of some of Dean’s best traits. He quickly diagnoses the hand-off to the wide receiver on this play and gets out on the edge, forcing Auburn to settle for a short gain.

Dean will benefit from the departure of New York Giants linebacker Tae Crowder. Dean should have more opportunity this season. He impressed whenever he played last season.

Cubelic puts Mohamoud Diabate, Christian Barmore, Nakobe Dean, Damone Clark and Christian Tutt as his top five SEC defensive breakout players in 2020.

Who else from Georgia will breakout on defense next season? I think one of the top candidates in the country is Nolan Smith. Smith is a former five-star recruit, who flashed immense ability as a true freshman last season. Look for Smith to be a dominant force along with Azeez Ojulari.

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Georgia Bulldogs player card: OLB Jermaine Johnson

Georgia Bulldogs outside linebacker Jermaine Johnson appeared on the Netflix documentary “Last Chance U” before transferring to UGA.

Jermaine Johnson, Outside Linebacker (#11):

Class: Senior

Height: 6-5

Weight: 240 pounds

Hometown: Eden Prairie, Minnesota

High School: Eden Prairie High School

Georgia Bulldogs outside linebacker/defensive end Jermaine Johnson transferred to Athens from Independence Community College. He was coached by Jason Brown and appeared on the Netflix documentary “Last Chance U” in season three.

Johnson came to UGA as a four-star recruit. He racked up 20 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season. He’ll be a factor once again in 2020. Look for him to top his 12 total pressures from last season. His biggest plays of the season came when he pressured Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book on the final play and when he forced a fumble against the Auburn Tigers.

Johnson played in all 14 games last season. He helped Georgia have the best  scoring defense and the nation’s top run defense in 2019. Kirby Smart, Dan Lanning and the Bulldog defense should be elite once again in 2020.

Sep 21, 2019; Athens, GA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Ian Book (12) throws a pass against Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jermaine Johnson (11) during the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Johnson has been working out from home in preparation for the 2020 season:

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