Tag: uga football news

Georgia TE Darnell Washington compared to NFL legend after combine

Georgia tight end Darnell Washington reminds several NFL draft scouts of an NFL legend

The NFL may have never seen an athlete quite like Georgia Bulldogs tight end Darnell Washington. He showed a unique combination of size and speed at the 2023 NFL combine, but his athletic profile is not unheard of. The NFL is a league of the best of the best after all.

In fact, Washington’s athletic profile compares very similarly to NFL legend Rob Gronkowski.

Who was Rob Gronkowski before he became the best tight end in the NFL with the New England Patriots? Gronkowski was the No. 42 pick of the 2010 NFL draft out of Arizona.

Gronkowski missed his last season at Arizona in 2009 due to a back injury. The 6-foot-6, 258-pound tight end recorded 1,197 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns over his first two collegiate seasons at Arizona.

Darnell Washington would love to have a NFL career similar to that of former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

In contrast, Washington recorded 774 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns over his three season career at Georgia. Washington did not have as much production in college as Gronkowski, but he played behind Brock Bowers, who is arguably the best college football tight end of all-time.

So, how are Washington and Gronkowski similar?

Both players have a great combination of size, speed and athleticism. Both tight ends are excellent blockers in the run game.

Darnell Washington posted a 10-foot-2 broad jump and a 31-inch vertical jump. The 6-foot-6, 264-pound tight end has the largest ever wingspan at his position in combine history (83.75 inches). Additionally, Washington’s 11-inch hands are the second-largest ever for a tight end at the combine.

Washington ran an impressive 4.64 second 40-yard dash, which is impressive at his size. Gronkowski ran a 4.68 second 40-yard dash at his pro day. Washington’s Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.88 is actually higher than Gronkowski’s RAS of 9.46.

Washington is considered the No. 72 prospect in the 2023 NFL draft. Washington ran the third-best 20-yard shuttle of any player at the combine with a 4.08 second time.

Next Gen Stats compared Washington to Gronkowski:

It is not realistic to expect Darnell Washington to have the same production in the NFL as Rob Gronkowski, but he could be just as good of a blocker and has the potential to grow into a great receiving threat as well.

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Report: Titans releasing former Georgia star center Ben Jones

The Tennessee Titans appear to be moving on from Ben Jones

Former Georgia Bulldog star center Ben Jones is looking for a new NFL home. The Tennessee Titans are releasing Jones ahead of NFL free agency. Jones has been a critical element of Tennessee’s powerful rushing attack.

Jones started 12 games for the Titans last season and has 151 starts over his 11 season NFL career. Tennessee had the No. 13 rushing offense in the NFL during the 2022 season.

Jones and the Tennessee offensive line help set the point of attack for star running back Derrick Henry for many great seasons.

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Ben Jones should be expected to start wherever he elects to go. Jones made the first Pro Bowl of his lengthy NFL career in 2022.

Jones signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Titans last offseason. The former Georgia Bulldogs has earned over $28 million in his NFL career, per Spotrac.

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Georgia TE Brock Bowers named to 2023 All-America team by PFF

No surprise here…

Pro Football Focus (PFF) has included Georgia star tight end Brock Bowers on their ‘Way Too Early’ 2023 All-America Team.

The rising junior has arguably been the best tight end in college football since bursting on to the scene as a freshman in 2021.

Bowers is ranked second all-time in UGA history behind A.J. Green in receiving yards by a freshman with 882 yards in 2021. Bowers set the Georgia  receiving touchdowns record with 13 scores in the same season.

The Napa, Cal., native followed up a record-breaking freshman year with 942 receiving yards in 2022, which ranks 5th all-time in UGA history.

Bowers isn’t just a receiving threat either.

In two seasons, Bowers has amassed 165 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

“There are some positions where you can debate who’s the best returning player in college football, but tight end is absolutely not one of them. Bowers is easily the best because he’s arguably been the best tight end in each of his first two seasons.

As a true freshman in 2021, Bowers was the highest-graded Power Five tight end and was the most valuable one in the country according to PFF’s wins above average metric. He was, once again, the most valuable tight end in the nation this season, leading them all in receiving yards (942), yards after the catch (479) and receiving yards after contact (274). He’s the reigning John Mackey Award winner, which is given to the best tight end in college football.

Not only is Bowers the best tight end in the country, but he’s also on pace to be the best in the PFF College era.”

Except for the return of Bowers, the Bulldogs’ tight end room will look different in 2023 with the departure of Darnell Washington the NFL draft.

Rising sophomore Oscar Delp and incoming four-star freshmen Pearce Spurlin and Lawson Luckie round out the options at tight end.

Both Spurlin and Luckie have enrolled early and will be participating in spring practice ahead of the annual G-Day game on April 15 in Sanford Stadium.

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NFL bound Georgia OTs tab freshman Earnest Greene as next man up: ‘He’s going to be good’

“He showed all the attributes it takes to play in the SEC.”

The Georgia offensive line will have to replace both starting tackles from the 2022 national title season with Broderick Jones and Warren McClendon’s departure to the NFL.

The Bulldogs have recruited consistently well along the offensive line and one of those young lineman garnered high praise from Jones and McClendon when they spoke to the media at the NFL combine last week.

According to Jones and McClendon, freshman Earnest Greene is the next man up.

“Probably Earnest,’ Jones said. “I felt like coming in, Earnest was ready. He was very physical, heavy hands, good pass sets, good run blocker, good finisher. He showed all the attributes it takes to play in the SEC.”

Greene enrolled early in Athens in January of last year as the No. 2 interior offensive lineman, the No. 3 player in the state of California and the No. 45 prospect overall in the 2022 class, per 247Sports rankings.

I feel like he came in on a higher level than I did, just because he had the experience with his dad and trainers. Coming out of high school, I wasn’t training with a lot of people.”

Greene’s father, Earnest II, played college football at Savannah State before a nine-year career in the NFL.

Greene didn’t take a snap last season due to a hamstring injury and back injury, which required surgery. Even still, Greene did enough to impress Jones and McClendon in practice.

“You know when freshmen come in, and early enrollees at that, they have a lot to learn,” McClendon said. “But he picked up on everything quick. In his pass pro, you come in and you have to learn how to kick-slide and stuff like that. He had it down pat Day One when he first came in. Just seeing stuff like that, just little things like that, you’re like, okay, he’s going to be good.”

Georgia offensive line coach Stacy Searels spoke about Greene to 247Sports on Jan. 7.

“Really when I first got here, the kid was way ahead of his time anyway. It’s just unfortunate he did get hurt and wasn’t able to play. I think he’s got a serious mindset of wanting to be good. He’s a very talented young man that’s got tremendous feet. He’s also a strong kid that has some punch and power and will compete.”

Greene will compete for starting role with rising redshirt sophomore Micah Morris, rising redshirt junior Austin Blaske and incoming five-star tackle Monroe Freeling.

We will get to see the group in action at Georgia’s annual G-Day spring game on April 15 in Sanford Stadium.

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Georgia football trending for 4-star ATH Aaron Butler

2024 four-star athlete Aaron Butler is projected to commit to UGA…

Georgia football is projected to gain a commitment from 2024 four-star athlete Aaron Butler, according to On3 Sports.

Butler (6-foot-1, 170 pounds) plays for Calabasas High School in Calabasas, Cal.

The two-way player is rated as the No. 6 athlete, the No. 4 player in the state of California and the No. 42 prospect overall in his class, per 247 Sports.

Butler decommitted to USC in January and is scheduled for an official visit to the Bulldogs on April 14.

Butler could either play cornerback or wide receiver at the next level. Here’s a look at his junior season highlight tape.

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Georgia TE Darnell Washington named biggest winner after NFL combine performance

‘With his polish as a run-blocker and with steady improvement as a pass-catcher, it’s hard to see him making it out of the top 50.’

Georgia tight end Darnell Washington had a stellar week at the NFL combine.

Standing 6 feet, 6 inches and 264 pounds, Washington’s 83.75-inch wingspan is the largest ever for a tight end at the combine. Additionally, his 11-inch hands are the second-largest ever for a tight end at the combine.

The former five-star prospect clocked a 4.64 40-yard dash (sixth among tight ends) with a 4.08 20-yard shuttle (first).

ESPN’s Jordan Reid named Washington as one of the biggest risers following the workouts in Indianapolis last week.

“The massive tight end prospect measured 6-foot-6 and 264 pounds and ran the 40 in 4.64 seconds. That is a terrific number for him considering speed was one of the biggest questions around his evaluation. An experienced blocker, Washington has been used as in-line talent, but he also is an underrated pass-catcher. And Washington looked smooth going through the gauntlet drill. With his polish as a run-blocker and with steady improvement as a pass-catcher, it’s hard to see him making it out of the top 50. Washington has a unique build and versatility, so he should be an instant contributor in the NFL.”

Washington caught 28 passes for 454 yards (16.2 average) and two touchdowns in 2022.

Even though he’s been labeled primarily as a blocker, Washington’s catching ability was on stage at the combine and he didn’t disappoint.

The draft takes place April 27-29.

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UGA football offers big OT Aidan Lynch

The Georgia Bulldogs have offered a scholarship offer to Mount Olive standout Aidan Lynch.

The Georgia Bulldogs have offered a scholarship offer to unranked offensive tackle recruit Aidan Lynch.

Lynch, a member of the class of 2024, plays high school football for Mount Olive High School in Flanders, New Jersey. Flanders is located approximately an hour west of New York City.

The 6-foot-7, 283-pound offensive tackle is a good student with excellent size and strength. Georgia football was the first Power Five school to offer Aidan Lynch. However, Pittsburgh and West Virginia quickly followed suit after Georgia offered Lynch. The Mount Olive star also has offers from Princeton and Army.

Georgia defensive backs coach Fran Brown specializes in recruiting New Jersey and other parts of the Northeast. Brown offered Aidan Lynch.

Kirby Smart and Georgia are the top Dawgs in the class of 2024 thus far. Georgia has commitments from 10 recruits in the junior class and the top-ranked recruiting class in the nation. However, Georgia is still looking to add its first commitment along the offensive front.

Aidan Lynch announced his scholarship offer from the University of Georgia via Twitter:

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4-star RB decommits from Georgia

Tovani Mizell, the No. 15 RB in the 2024 class, has decommitted from Georgia…

2024 running back Tovani Mizell decommitted from the University of Georgia on Wednesday night.

The Hyattsville, Md., native is rated as the No. 15 running back, the No. 4 player in the state of Maryland and the No. 214 prospect overall in his class, per 247Sports.

Mizell, who pledged to UGA in August, decommitted from the Bulldogs two days after visiting Oklahoma and meeting with Sooners head coach Brent Venables and running backs coach DeMarco Murray.

Mizell has since been projected to sign with Oklahoma by the 247Sports Crystal Ball. 

Georgia running backs coach Dell McGee may have missed out on Mizell, but the Bulldogs still maintain a commitment from four-star prospect Dwight Phillips Jr., the No. 6 ranked running back in the class.

Phillips is currently the lone running back commitment in the Bulldogs’ No. 1 ranked class. 

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Georgia LB Nolan Smith receives lofty NFL player comparison

Georgia Bulldogs LB Nolan Smith received a comparison to a Philadelphia Eagles LB following his elite performance at the NFL combine

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Nolan Smith really turned heads at the 2023 NFL combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. Smith displayed his leadership skills during interviews on March 1.

The 6-foot-2, 238-pound pass rusher showed off his explosive lower body with a 41.5-inch vertical jump. Only three linebackers have ever recorded a higher vertical jump in NFL combine history (one of them is former Georgia linebacker Channing Tindall).

Smith ran the fastest 40-yard dash of any linebacker at the combine with a time of 4.39 seconds. Nolan Smith is the heaviest player to have a vertical jump over 40 inches and a 40-yard dash under 4.4 seconds.

Now, Nolan Smith is receiving comparisons to one of the NFL’s best pass rushers, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick. Reddick recorded 16 sacks for the Eagles last season and is a big reason Philadelphia made the Super Bowl.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Why is Smith being compared to Reddick? Reddick is a 6-foot-1, 235-pound linebacker with a similar frame to Smith. Reddick is a bit undersized, but is still a high-impact player.

Both Nolan Smith and Haason Reddick have had times where there productivity may not jump off the chart. Reddick recorded just 7.5 sacks over his first three seasons in the NFL. Smith recorded 12.5 sacks in his four season career at Georgia. Reddick’s sack production has been outstanding after his first three NFL seasons. He has 39.5 sacks over his last three NFL seasons.

Highly respected NFL draft expert Daniel Jeremiah compared Smith to Reddick before Smith ran his incredible 40-yard dash. Smith and Reddick have similar sizes. Both players best fit as 3-4 outside linebackers in the NFL.

Additionally, Next Gen Stats pointed out that Smith and Reddick had similar builds, athleticism and production coming out of college.

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Former Georgia DB Jaheim Singletary announces transfer within SEC

Former Georgia Bulldogs freshman cornerback Jaheim Singletary has transferred to Arkansas

Former five-star defensive back recruit Jaheim Singletary is transferring to the Arkansas Razorbacks from the University of Georgia.

Singletary has a chance to earn immediate playing time for Arkansas. The Razorbacks gave up the most passing yards per game in the SEC last season.

Singletary appeared in three games in 2022 for the Georgia Bulldogs, but did not record a tackle. He played a role on Georgia’s national championship team. The former five-star recruit will have four years of eligibility remaining.

Singletary was committed to Ohio State during his high school recruiting process.

Singletary was the No. 27 recruit in the class of 2022 and the No. 5 cornerback. Kirby Smart and Georgia landed one of the most talented recruiting classes of all time at the defensive back position in the class of 2022.

The 6-foot-2, 170-pound cornerback was ranked one of the best players remaining in the NCAA transfer portal. Singletary joins former Georgia offensive line coach Sam Pittman in Arkansas.

Singletary played high school football for Riverside High School in Jacksonville, Florida.

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