Tag: uga football roster

UGA football player card: WR Tommy Bush

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Tommy Bush came to Athens as a four-star recruit., but he only played in one game last season.

Tommy Bush, Wide Receiver (#12):

Class: Redshirt Sophomore

Height: 6-5

Weight: 195 pounds

Hometown: Schertz, Texas

High School: Samuel Clemens High School

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Tommy Bush redshirted as a freshman in 2018, when he played in two games: against Austin Peay and UMass. Bush only played one game in 2019. He caught one pass for one yard against Georgia Tech.

At 6-5, Bush has excellent size and the potential to replace Lawrence Cager as a red zone target. Bush came to Athens as a talented four-star wide receiver.

In 2020, Bush will compete for the receiver playing time in the position opposite George Pickens. Dominick Blaylock is recovering from a torn ACL. Georgia secured an elite recruiting class in 2020 and has plenty of talent at the wide receiver position. It will be an interesting position battle to see unfold.

Tommy Bush has been working hard in preparation for the season:

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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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UGA football player card: WR Kearis Jackson

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Kearis Jackson redshirted as a freshman in 2018. He broke his hand versus Vanderbilt in 2019.

Kearis Jackson, Wide Receiver (#10):

Class: Redshirt Sophomore

Height: 6-0

Weight: 200 pounds

Hometown: Fort Valley, Georgia

High School: Peach County High School

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Kearis Jackson redshirted as a freshman in 2018. He was able to play in four games after enrolling early at UGA. Jackson came to Georgia as a touted four-star recruit from Peach County High School. In high school, Jackson played football and ran track.

Jackson started the first game of 2019 against Vanderbilt, but broke his hand. Jackson’s injury set him back after a career best game against Vanderbilt (2 catches for 31 yards).

Jackson started seven games, but didn’t have a large impact on offense. He ended the season with five catches for 79 yards. He and quarterback Jake Fromm never quite found a grove, which can be partially attributed to his broken hand.

In 2020, Jackson will compete for the starting wide receiver position opposite George Pickens. Dominick Blaylock is recovering from a torn ACL. Georgia secured an elite recruiting class in 2020 and has plenty of talent at the wide receiver position.

Oct 27, 2018; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Kearis Jackson (10) works out prior to the game at TIAA Bank Field. Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

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UGA football player card: DL Malik Herring

Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Malik Herring gave Dan Lanning’s defense a big boost when he decided to return for his senior season

Malik Herring (#10):

Class: Senior

Height: 6-3

Weight: 280 pounds

Hometown: Forsyth, Georgia

High School: Mary Persons High School

Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Malik Herring gave Dan Lanning’s defense a big boost when he decided to return for his senior season. As a junior, Herring played in 12 games and recorded 29 tackles.

Herring was a key piece in Georgia’s top rated 2019 rushing and scoring defense. He also frequented the opposing backfield racking up 18 pressures in the process.

Herring has been a big-factor against the Florida Gators. Over his career he has seven tackles, five QB pressures, and a forced fumble against the Gators.

Georgia fans should expect Herring to start at 3-4 defensive end for the Dawgs next season. Herring came to Georgia as a four-star prospect and is living up to his billing. He’s seen lots of playing time since he was a freshman.

Watch out for Herring when the Dawgs take on the Gators! Herring will look to bump up his NFL Draft stock with a big senior season. Best of luck to Malik.

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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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UGA football player card: QB Nathan Priestley

Georgia Bulldogs redshirt freshman quarterback Nathan Priestley appeared in two games as a freshman.

Nathan Priestley, Quarterback (#9):

Class: Redshirt freshman

Height: 6-4

Weight: 205 pounds

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

High School: Loyola High School

Georgia Bulldogs redshirt freshman quarterback Nathan Priestley appeared in two games as a freshman. He was an unranked recruit coming into Athens. He captained his football team at Loyola High School in Los Angeles, California.

Priestley played a lot of scout team in 2019, but he did see some game action against Murray State and Arkansas State. He completed one pass for two yards against Murray State. He had a team low (among players who attempted passes) of one incomplete pass and didn’t throw any interceptions.

He was one of three UGA quarterbacks to attempt a pass in 2019. Priestley was able to redshirt since he played in under four games. He’ll compete for the back up role behind Jamie Newman in 2020 with D’Wan Mathis, Stetson Bennett, and Carson Beck.

Check out his tape from high school:

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ATHENS, GA – SEPTEMBER 29: A general view of Sanford Stadium during the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Tennessee Volunteers on September 29, 2012 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

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UGA football player card: WR Dominick Blaylock

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Dominick Blaylock had a solid freshman season in 2019 before tearing his ACL in the SEC Championship Game.

Dominick Blaylock, Wide Receiver (#8):

Class: Sophomore

Height: 6-1

Weight: 195 pounds

Hometown: Marietta, Georgia

High School: Walton High School

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Dominick Blaylock had a solid freshman season in 2019 before tearing his ACL in the SEC Championship Game against LSU. He played in 12 of 14 games and caught 18 passes for 310 yards and five touchdowns.

His biggest play of the season was his 51 yard touchdown catch at Auburn. The Tigers had a very stingy defense in 2019, but that didn’t stop Blaylock from getting the Dawgs on the scoreboard first.

Blaylock came to Athens as a touted four or five-star recruit (depends on the recruiting service) and didn’t disappoint. He’d certainly benefit from a delayed start to the 2020 season.

Should the season kick-off on time, then it is not out of the question for Blaylock to make a return for the opener. Clemson WR Amari Rodgers tore his ACL last spring (March 25th) and went on to play in Clemson’s second game against Texas A&M.

If healthy, Blaylock projects to start for UGA from the slot with George Pickens manning an outside receiver spot. Check out his huge plays from last season:

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UGA football player card: DB Tyrique Stevenson

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Tyrique Stevenson is among the favorites to win the starting role at nickel

Defensive Back Tyrique Stevenson (#7):

Class: Sophomore

Height: 6-0

Weight: 202 pounds

Hometown: Miami, Florida

High School: Miami Southridge High School

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Tyrique Stevenson is among the favorites to win the starting role at nickel or STAR corner next season. He’ll be competing with primarily Mark Webb and Divaad Wilson. Stevenson came to Athens as a talented early enrollee (four-star recruit).

He played in all 14 games as a true freshman in 2019. He broke up five passes and recorded 13 tackles throughout the season. His highlight of the season was sacking Auburn quarterback Bo Nix in UGA’s 21-14 win over the Tigers. He’s always a threat blitzing off the edge and will be a valuable piece of the secondary next season.

Oct 19, 2019; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Tyrique Stevenson  breaks up a pass intended for Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Ahmad Wagner during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

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UGA football player card: RB Kenny McIntosh

Georgia Bulldogs running back Kenny McIntosh is projected to have a larger role for Todd Monken and UGA’s offense in 2020

Running Back Kenny McIntosh (#6):

Class: Sophomore

Height: 6-1

Weight: 210 pounds

Hometown: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

High School: University School

Georgia Bulldogs running back Kenny McIntosh is projected to have a larger role for Todd Monken and UGA’s offense in 2020. McIntosh played in twelve games as a freshman.

He averaged seven yards per carry, but only touted the rock 25 times for 174 rushing yards. His 62 yard touchdown against Arkansas State was UGA’s longest rush of the season. McIntosh was a key special teams player for Georgia last season.

Look for him to be more involved in Georgia’s rushing attack next season following the departure of D’Andre Swift. Zamir White is projected to start and James Cook is a beter receiving threat, but McIntosh may be next in line. McIntosh came to Georgia as a four-star recruit from University School.

Kenny’s brother, RJ, played at Miami and recorded two sacks from the defensive tackle position for the New York Giants last season. Will Kenny join his brother in the NFL?

Jan 1, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana; Georgia Bulldogs running back Kenny McIntosh runs past Baylor Bears safety JT Woodsduring the third quarter of the Sugar Bowl. Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

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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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