Tag: Matt Luke uga

Report: Georgia OL coach Matt Luke done at UGA

Georgia offensive line coach Matt Luke has elected to step down from his duties, per a report from Rivals. Details here…

After two seasons with the Bulldogs, Georgia offensive line coach Matt Luke will step down, per a report from Rivals. 

Luke spent the last season as associate head coach along with offensive line duties. The former Ole Miss head coach released this statement today following the story, which includes a Kirby Smart statement.

Luke’s decision appears to be related to family reasons and one cannot blame him for such. At this level of college football, the work rates are outstandingly difficult and time consuming.

The question now remains for the Bulldogs: Who will replace Luke?

Georgia has immense talent among its offensive line, so Smart and staff will have to make an experienced hire to help keep the front formidable to an SEC schedule.

As the Bulldogs begin their coaching search, check back to UGAWire for more information as news breaks.

Georgia O-line coach Matt Luke named top-25 recruiter

Rivals recently released their list of the top-25 recruiters and Georgia is represented by offensive line coach Matt Luke. Details here.

Rivals recently released their list of the top 25 recruiters in college football and Georgia is represented by offensive line coach Matt Luke.

After three seasons as head coach at Ole Miss, Luke took over the Bulldogs front in 2019 when Sam Pittman left Athens for the head coaching job at Arkansas.

Luke made his mark on Georgia’s 2021 recruiting class by signing the top-ranked tackle in the class, five-star Amarius Mims, while adding another top-10 tackle, four-star Micah Morris.

Rivals wrote:

“Georgia was unable to pull off a fourth straight recruiting rankings title in 2021, but the Dawgs did sign the nation’s sixth-best class, which featured a ton of top talent. Top-ranked among the prospects headed to Athens is five-star offensive tackle Amarius Mims the No. 4-ranked prospect overall in 2021. Offensive line coach Matt Luke was responsible for delivering Mims for the Bulldogs, and he did not stop there, landing big offensive tackle Micah Morris who is the fourth-highest ranked prospect in this Georgia class, and four-star offensive guard Dylan Fairchild. Three-star offensive guard Jared Wilson rounds out Luke’s offensive line recruiting haul in this 2021 class.”

While Rivals has Georgia’s class rated as the No. 6 class in the country, other sites such as 247Sports have the Dawgs rated at No. 3 in the nation behind Alabama and Ohio State.

Regardless, the Bulldogs 2021 class is full of talent, especially along the offensive line as Luke worked to replace senior starters Trey Hill and Ben Cleveland.

While Wilson, Fairchild and Morris will most likely redshirt, Mims should have an opportunity to compete for either tackle spot as senior Jamaree Salyer, who started every game at left tackle in 2020, is expected to move to guard next season, his natural position.

We will know much more about next year’s lineup when Georgia holds the annual ‘G-day’ spring game, which is scheduled for April 17.

This week on the “UGA Football Live with J.C. Shelton” podcast, we talk national signing day and break down Georgia’s Will Muschamp hire and preview Super Bowl LV. Listen here:

Georgia football’s Trey Hill enters 2021 NFL Draft

Junior Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Trey Hill is entering into the 2021 NFL Draft. Hill was a key starter at UGA.

Junior Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Trey Hill is entering into the 2021 NFL Draft. Hill began the season as the only returning member of Georgia’s starting offensive line. The Houston County High School product helped Georgia weather the storm and helped the Bulldogs put together some impressive offensive line performances as a unit.

Trey Hill is 6 feet, 4 inches, and is one of the best centers in the 2021 NFL Draft. Impressively, No. 55 has already graduated from the University of Georgia. He is truly a man on a mission.

Hill was named second team All-SEC following his impressive 2019 performance. Unfortunately in 2020 his season was cut short due to injury. Georgia got a preview of how life would be like without Hill in the Peach Bowl. The Bulldogs struggled to consistently run the football against Cincinnati.

Offensive line coach Matt Luke may have his hands full once again in terms of replacing elite talent. Offensive guard Ben Cleveland is also entering into the NFL Draft. Justin Shaffer, a senior, additionally faces an NFL Draft decision.

Trey Hill came to Athens as a four or five star recruit depending on the scouting service and has easily lived up to his touted billing. He announced his decision to declare for the 2021 NFL Draft via his Twitter account:

Congratulations to Trey Hill. He was a rock during his time at Georgia. He has the ability to play right away in the NFL. He’s currently projected as a third round draft selection.

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UGA football offers scholarship to 4-star OT E’Marion Harris

The University of Georgia has offered a scholarship to Arkansas offensive tackle prospect E’Marion Harris

The University of Georgia has offered a scholarship to offensive tackle prospect E’Marion Harris. Harris is a talented member of the class of 2022.

Harris has already received interest from some of college football’s top programs. Alabama, Texas A&M, Miami, and Oklahoma are among several of the schools to offer Harris a scholarship.

The Georgia Bulldogs join the list of schools vying for a commitment from the four-star offensive tackle recruit. E’Marion Harris plays high school football for Joe T. Robinson High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.

In fact, Arkansas is considered the favorite to entice Harris to commit to their program. It’ll be interesting to see how his recruitment shakes out because it could become a recruiting battle between Kirby Smart, Matt Luke (Georgia’s current offensive line coach) and Sam Pittman. Sam Pittman is now the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks, but before landing that job he coached UGA’s offensive line.

Pittman is a proven on-field coach and an elite recruiter. Will he start to land Arkansas’s best talent? The Razorbacks have had a down few years, but Pittman will help them have a more physical team.

Harris announced his scholarship offer via his Twitter account:

Sam Pittman will do his best to secure the top talent of Arkansas, so it will be fascinating to see if he can win this recruiting battle against some of college football’s elite programs. Never count out Kirby Smart or Matt Luke for a top offensive line recruit.

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Georgia Bulldogs football player card: OL Tate Ratledge

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Tate Ratledge has the talent to earn playing time along the offensive front as a freshman

Tate Ratledge, Offensive Line (No. 51):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-6

Weight: 317 pounds

Hometown: Rome, Georgia

High School: Darlington School

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Tate Ratledge has the talent to earn playing time along the offensive front as a freshman. Former Ole Miss head coach Matt Luke will coach up another talented recruit in Ratledge. Ratledge was rated as a four and five-star recruit, depending on the recruiting service, coming out of Darlington School (Cade Brock is a PWO at Georgia from the same high school). He was a member of the class of 2020.

Tate’s dad, Dean, had a brief stint in the NFL after being a standout at Tennessee Tech.

Georgia’s offensive line is replacing four starters from the 2019 season and Ratledge will have a chance to earn a starting spot. He could be called to fill in if there’s an injury and should play as a true freshman. He’ll have to beat out players like Broderick Jones, Xavier Truss, Jamaree Salyer, Warren McClendon, and Warren Ericson to start.

During his recruitment, Ratledge reconsidered his commitment to UGA after offensive line coach Sam Pittman left for the head coaching job at Arkansas. Fortunately for the Dawgs, Ratledge stayed true to his original commitment.

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Georgia football player card: OL Austin Blaske

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Austin Blaske starts his college career this season after being a three-star recruit.

Austin Blaske, Offensive Line (No. 58):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-5

Weight: 280 pounds

Hometown: Bloomingdale, Georgia

High School: South Effingham High School

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Austin Blaske starts his college career this season after being a three-star recruit. Blaske is a member of the class of 2020 and elected to stay in-state at the University of Georgia.

Blaske will likely redshirt in 2020 (if the season is played) based on his recruiting ranking and the stout competition he’ll face to see the field. Blaske has impressive athleticism for a 280 pound offensive lineman:

Georgia’s offensive line is replacing four starters and Blaske will have an opportunity to compete, which is all he can ask for under offensive line coach Matt Luke. He’ll have to beat out players like Xavier Truss, Jamaree Salyer, Warren McClendon, and Warren Ericson to find playing time.

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Georgia Bulldogs football player card: OL Broderick Jones

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Broderick Jones will be a key piece of the offensive front as a freshman

Broderick Jones, Offensive Line (No. 59):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-4

Weight: 285 pounds

Hometown: Lithonia, Georgia

High School: Lithonia High School

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Broderick Jones will be a key piece of the offensive front as a freshman. Former Ole Miss head coach Matt Luke will coach up another talented recruit in Jones, who comes to Athens as a five-star recruit.

Jones played in the Under Armour All-American Game in 2020. He played offensive tackle and has the potential to have a similar career to Andrew Thomas. The Lithonia High School product enters his freshman year after being named as the top tackle in the class of 2020 (according to some recruiting services).

Unfortunately, Jones was involved in an accident this offseason. Jones could start as a freshman, although his lack of experience and the lack of traditional preparation for the season could limit the likelihood of him starting.

That being said, Georgia’s offensive line is replacing four starters and Jones will have ample opportunity for playing time. He’ll have to beat out players like Xavier Truss, Jamaree Salyer, Warren McClendon, and Warren Ericson to start.

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UGA football player card: OL Sedrick Van Pran

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Sedrick Van Pran comes to the University of Georgia as the top-rated center recruit in the class of 2020

Sedrick Van Pran, Offensive Line (No. 63):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-4

Weight: 300 pounds

Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana

High School: Warren Easton High School

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Sedrick Van Pran comes to the University of Georgia as the top-rated center recruit in the class of 2020. He played football at Warren Easton High School in Louisiana before coming to Athens.

He will compete with returning starting center Trey Hill for playing time next season. Trey Hill is Georgia’s only returning starting offensive lineman and will be tough to win playing time over. Hill has great experience and stood out as a pass blocker last season.

That being said, Van Pran has lots of talent and should be Georgia’s future at the position. Georgia additionally has Clay Webb at the center position. Webb came to UGA as a touted recruit as well. Georgia is stacked at center moving forward and has excellent depth at the position. It will be interesting to see if Van Pran or Webb is the back-up center during this season.

UGA offensive line coach Matt Luke, the former Ole Miss head coach, lost three players to the 2020 NFL Draft. Luke secured a quality recruiting class along the offensive front including arguably the nation’s top tackle. Van Pran is a key member of Georgia’s class of 2020.

Check out some of Van Pran’s high school highlights. Van Pran consistently overwhelms his competition at the high school level:

 

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UGA football player card: Dalton Perry

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Dalton Perry comes to the University of Georgia as an unheralded recruit.

Dalton Perry, Offensive Line (No. 66):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-3

Weight: 250 pounds

Hometown: Bixby, Oklahoma

High School: Bixby High School

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Dalton Perry comes to the University of Georgia as an unheralded recruit. He played football at Bixby High School in Oklahoma before coming to Athens. Perry is a preferred walk-on at Georgia.

He will compete with Xavier Truss, Jamaree Salyer, Warren Ericson, Justin Shaffer, Warren McClendon, Broderick Jones, and more for playing time next season, but realistically he’ll have to wait his turn in order to see significant game action. Look for Perry to redshirt next season. He needs to add weight to his frame before he’ll be ready to compete at the SEC level.

UGA offensive line coach Matt Luke, the former Ole Miss head coach, lost three players to the 2020 NFL Draft. Luke secured a quality recruiting class along the offensive front including arguably the nation’s top tackle and the top ranked center.

Georgia offered Perry a PWO position in the summer of 2019. Best of luck to Perry while he dons the red and black!

 

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Georgia Bulldogs football player card: OL Chris Brown

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Chris Brown joins UGA as a preferred walk-on member of the class of 2020

Chris Brown, Offensive Line (No. 68):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-5

Weight: 300 pounds

Hometown: Savannah, Georgia

High School: Islands High School

Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Chris Brown joins UGA as a member of the class of 2020. Johnson was a talented player for Islands High School. He comes to the University of Georgia as a preferred walk-on.

Chris Brown, Miles Johnson and Weston Wallace are all class of 2020 preferred walk-on offensive lineman and will be linked together. Brown will have fight to earn playing time at Georgia. Georgia has an impressive class of 2020 offensive line group, so he’ll face some stout competition over the years.

Brown may not be the most heralded recruit or talented player, but every player on Georgia’s roster is important. The walk-ons help set the tone for the rest of the team. Additionally, the scout team is fundamental in preparing the defense and offense for the next week.

We’ll keep you updated throughout Brown’s career in Athens. Let’s look back to when he picked the University of Georgia:

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