Georgia football’s Demetris Robertson and Julian Rochester returning in 2021

Georgia football recently updated its roster and it looks like more Dawgs are returning for another season in Athens. Details here

Georgia football recently updated its roster and it looks like more Dawgs are returning for another season in Athens.

Senior receiver Demetris Robertson and senior defensive lineman Julian Rochester are using the NCAA’s extended eligibility and coming back to Georgia for another year.

The rule was put into place because of the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to provide senior players more opportunities.

This is huge news for the Bulldogs as they prepare for a playoff run. Talented defensive linemen Jordan Davis and Davonte Wyatt announced their return earlier this year and now, with the addition of Rochester to the already loaded front, Georgia’s defensive line will be one of the best in country.

Dec 2, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Julian Rochester (5) celebrates after defeating the Auburn Tigers in the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

A Mableton, Ga., native, Rochester signed with Georgia as five-star prospect in the 2016 recruiting class. Although he has battled injuries the last two seasons, including an ACL tear last season, he has played 51 games in his Georgia career and provides experience in addition to a big frame at 6-foot-five, 320 pounds.

Aug 31, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Demetris Robertson (16) runs after a reception during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

At receiver, add Robertson’s return to the Bulldogs’ wideout room and Georgia is the deepest it has been at the position in years. Some key playmakers that return to the lineup for 2021 are George Pickens, Kearis Jackson, Jermaine Burton, Dominick Blaylock, Arian Smith and now Robertson.

The Savannah, Ga., native signed with Georgia in 2018 after two seasons at Cal where he earned Freshman All-American honors. Robertson hasn’t stood out on the stat sheet, last year catching 12 passes for 112 yards, but he has played in 32 games for the Bulldogs and like with Rochester, Robertson’s experience will be a big help for Georgia in the fall.

 

 

 

UGA football player card: DL Julian Rochester

Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Julian Rochester will bring lots of experience back to UGA’s defensive front in 2020

Julian Rochester (#5):

Class: Senior

Height: 6-5

Weight: 300 pounds

Hometown: Mableton, Georgia

High School: McEachern High School

Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Julian Rochester will bring lots of experience back to UGA’s defensive front in 2020. Rochester, who was a senior during 2019, redshirted last season.

Why did Rochester redshirt as a senior? He underwent ACL surgery in the offseason of 2019 and amid his slow recovery, both he and Kirby Smart decided it’d be best for him to redshirt. Georgia’s defensive line didn’t suffer  as a result (zero RB rushing touchdowns allowed) and will return a key veteran lineman in Rochester for the 2020 season.

Rochester appeared in four games in 2019: Tennessee, Florida, Baylor, and LSU. He recorded eight stops in his shortened season.

Rochester played in at least twelve games in every season before 2019. In previous seasons, Rochester averaged nearly 30 tackles per season and contributed at least one sack. He came to Athens as a four-star recruit and is now looking to close at his career with another shot at a championship.

Dec 2, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Julian Rochester celebrates after defeating the Auburn Tigers in the SEC Championship game. Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

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