Tag: uga football defensive backs

Georgia football DB enters transfer portal

Georgia Bulldogs senior defensive back Ameer Speed has entered the NCAA transfer portal. He played in 13 games in 2021 and recorded 13 total tackles

Georgia Bulldogs senior defensive back Ameer Speed has entered the NCAA transfer portal. Speed started the first three games of the season at cornerback. National championship hero Kelee Ringo eventually took the vast majority of the playing time at outside cornerback opposite Clemson transfer Derion Kendrick.

Speed is a key special-teams player for Georgia. He played in 13 games for the Bulldogs in 2021 and recorded 13 total tackles. Speed will look for more playing time at his transfer portal destination.

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Ameer Speed is looking for a new college football home following the national championship. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Speed came to Athens as a three-star prospect in the class of 2017. The 6-foot-3, 211-pound Jacksonville native has excellent length. He will be able to use the COVID-19 season to attain a sixth year of college football eligibility.

Ameer Speed thanked Georgia via Twitter upon entering the transfer portal:

Speed played as 11 games as a freshman in 2017. He redshirted in 2018, but appeared in a pair of games. In 2019, Speed played in 13 games. He recorded five tackles and was named co-winner of the special teams most improved player. In 2020, the former three-star recruit out of Sandalwood High School played in nine games and recorded one tackle.

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Georgia football player card: DB William Poole

Georgia Bulldogs senior defensive back William Poole saw action in six of Georgia’s ten games in 2020.

William Poole, Defensive Back (No. 31):

Class: Senior

Height: 6-0

Weight: 190 pounds

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

High School: Hapeville Charter High School

Georgia Bulldogs senior defensive back William Poole saw action in six of Georgia’s ten games in 2020. The Atlanta, Georgia, native has played in 22 total games throughout his Georgia career and has accumulated 13 career tackles.

Poole came to the University of Georgia as a four-star recruit. Poole redshirted in 2019 when he played against Murray State, Arkansas State, and Georgia Tech and recorded three tackles.

He saw a good amount playing time a sophomore in 2018. That season he played in eight games and secured ten total tackles.

Poole and fellow Georgia defensive back Christopher Smith were teammates at Hapeville Charter.

Georgia is looking less thin in the secondary following the additions of West Virginia transfer Tykee Smith and Clemson transfer Derion Kendrick.

The Dawgs have Kelee Ringo, Ameer Speed, Jalen Kimber, and more returning at cornerback. Georgia’s defensive front is expected to be elite once again next season.

Sep 8, 2018; Columbia, SC, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back William Poole (31) brings down South Carolina Gamecocks running back Ty’Son Williams (27) in the first half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

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Georgia football player card: DB David Daniel

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back David Daniel was one of Kirby Smart’s first commitments in the class of 2021.

David Daniel, Defensive Back (No. 14):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-2

Weight: 185 pounds

Hometown: Woodstock, Georgia

High School: Woodstock High School

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back David Daniel was one of Kirby Smart’s first commitments in the class of 2021. Daniel enrolled early at the University of Georgia and competed throughout spring drills and the spring game.

Daniel is the first player from Woodstock High School to sign with Georgia in a long time. He came to Athens as a four-star athlete. Daniel played both wide receiver and cornerback during his time at Woodstock.

Georgia started cornerbacks Ameer Speed and Jalen Kimber in the spring game, but the secondary will look much different to open the season.

Kirby Smart brought in additional talent at defensive back, including Clemson transfer Derion Kendrick, Alabama transfer Brandon Turnage and West Virgnia transfer Tykee Smith. Former five-star recruit Kelee Ringo, who missed last season with a shoulder injury, will compete for playing time at cornerback as well.

At safety, Christopher Smith and Lewis Cine are projected to retain their starting roles. Georgia lost a bunch of talent in the secondary to the 2021 NFL draft.

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Georgia football player card: DB Lovasea Carroll

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Lovasea Carroll changed positions during his first year on campus with Georgia

Lovasea Carroll, Defensive Back (No. 12):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-1

Weight: 195 pounds

Hometown: Warrenton, Georgia

High School: IMG Academy

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Lovasea Carroll changed positions during his first year on campus with Georgia. Carroll enrolled early at Georgia after being a highly touted four-star running back recruit out of high school powerhouse IMG Academy.

IMG Academy’s Xavier Terrell (5) runs in a touchdown against Ravenwood next to Lovasea Carroll (6) during the second half at Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tenn., Friday, Sept. 25, 2020. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Carroll will have a good mentor to help him with the difficulties he will face with his position change. Incoming Clemson transfer Derion Kendrick is a former five-star recruit that began his college football career at wide receiver. Kendrick seamlessly transitioned to cornerback as a sophomore at Clemson and is a top prospect for the 2022 NFL draft.

Georgia started Ameer Speed and Jalen Kimber in the spring game, but the secondary will look much different to open the season.

Kirby Smart brought in additional competition at defensive back, including Clemson transfer Derion Kendrick, Alabama transfer Brandon Turnage, and West Virgnia transfer Tykee Smith. Former five-star recruit Kelee Ringo figures to compete for playing time as well.

Georgia is no longer as desperate at the defensive back position. The Bulldogs could play Carroll at running back in the future. It will be a storyline to watch over Carroll’s career

The Warrenton, Georgia, product played Warren County High School before attending IMG Academy.

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Georgia football player card: DB Derion Kendrick

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Derion Kendrick is projected to start as the No. 1 cornerback in Dan Lanning’s defensive scheme this season

Derion Kendrick, Defensive Back (No. 11):

Class: Senior

Height: 6-0

Weight: 190 pounds

Hometown: Rock Hill, South Carolina

High School: South Pointe High School

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Derion Kendrick is projected to start as the No. 1 cornerback in Dan Lanning’s defensive scheme this season. Kendrick transferred to Georgia from Clemson this offseason. He will face his former team to open the season.

Kendrick is a former five-star recruit who began his college football career at wide receiver. Kendrick transitioned to cornerback as a sophomore.

Nov. 16, 2019; Clemson, South Carolina; Clemson Tigers Derion Kendrick (1) returns the ball during the first half of the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia started Ameer Speed and Jalen Kimber in the spring game, but the secondary will look much different to open the season.

Kirby Smart brought in more competition at defensive back, including Alabama transfer Brandon Turnage and West Virgnia transfer Tykee Smith. Former five-star recruit Kelee Ringo will compete for playing time.

Kendrick’s big-game experience will be critical for the secondary. He is considered a top cornerback prospect for the 2022 NFL draft, but there are concerns about his character.

Kendrick proved himself as a top cornerback during his time at Clemson. He finished the 2020 season as an All-ACC performer. The former South Pointe High School star deflected six passes, recorded a sack and intercepted one pass last season for the Tigers.

Kendrick has 23 career starts at cornerback. He has played in five career College Football Playoff games.

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UGA football player card: DB Ameer Speed

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Ameer Speed is 6-3 and one of the lengthier defensive backs on the team.

Defensive Back Ameer Speed (#9):

Class: Junior

Height: 6-3

Weight: 211 pounds

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida

High School: Sandalwood High School

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Ameer Speed is a key special-teamer for Kirby Smart and company. Speed came to Athens as a three or four-star recruit (depending on the recruiting service). He’s one of the lengthier defensive backs on the team.

Speed played as eleven games as a freshman in 2017. He redshirted in 2018, but appeared in a pair of games. Last season, Speed played in thirteen games. He recorded five tackles and was named co-winner of the Special Teams Most Improved Player.

Speed is projected to be depth in the secondary in 2020. He has valuable experience and should not be overlooked. His experience could be important with a shortened off-season.

Nov 30, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs OL Solomon Kindley and OL Andrew Thomas and DB Ameer Speed  celebrate after a victory against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

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