Tag: uga football roster

Georgia football player card: WR Arian Smith

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Arian Smith is one of the fastest college football players in the country.

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Arian Smith, Wide Receiver (No. 11):

Class: Redshirt Freshman

Height: 6-0

Weight: 185 pounds

Hometown: Bradley, Florida

High School: Lakeland High School

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Arian Smith is one of the fastest college football players in the country. The Lakeland High School speedster came to Athens as a four-star recruit in the class of 2020.

Smith runs for Georgia’s track team in addition to playing wide receiver. Smith ran an impressive 100-meters time of 10.18 during track season. He helped Matthew Boling and Georgia set a school record of 38.54 in the 4×100-meter relay event.

Smith will be an important deep threat for the Bulldogs and quarterback J.T. Daniels. Georgia is missing starting wide receive George Pickens, who tore his ACL, and Demetris Robertson entered the NCAA transfer portal. There will be plenty of opportunity for Arian Smith.

Smith was banged up last offseason. He underwent wrist surgery in May and had meniscus surgery in July. Smith did not play until Georgia’s final four games. He made an impact against South Carolina and Cincinnati, but ended up taking a redshirt year. He will look to build off his solid ending to the season.

Kirby Smart and Todd Monken signed Smith, Justin Robinson, Marcus Rosemy, Jermaine Burton and Ladd McConkey as wide receivers in the class of 2020.

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Jan. 1, 2021; Atlanta; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Arian Smith (11) celebrates after a victory against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

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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Georgia football player card: LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson comes to Athens after being ranked as a four-star outside linebacker prospect

Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Linebacker (No. 10):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-1

Weight: 235 pounds

Hometown: Hyattsville, Maryland

High School: St. Frances Academy

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson comes to Athens after being ranked as a four-star outside linebacker prospect. Dumas-Johnson may project as more of an inside linebacker in Dan Lanning and Georgia’s defensive scheme.

Dumas-Johnson committed to UGA over schools like Auburn, Michigan, Florida, Maryland, Penn State, and Texas A&M. He was ranked as the No. 189 overall recruit in the class of 2021. Dumas-Johnson is widely regarded as one of the best linebackers in his class.

Jamon Dumas-Johnson and St. Frances Academy are featured on HBO’s β€œThe Cost of Winning” documentary. His speed and versatility will translate well to the college level.

Here’s a look back at when Dumas-Johnson committed to the University of Georgia:

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Georgia transfers, including Arik Gilbert, receive jersey numbers

Players who transferred to the Georgia football program this offseason have received their new jersey numbers.

Four new Georgia Bulldogs, who signed with UGA after putting their names in the transfer portal, have arrived on campus and are ready to help lead the Dawgs in the 2021 college football season.

Former 5-stars Arik Gilbert – a tight end who transferred to Georgia from LSU – and Clemson transfer cornerback Derion Kendrick made headlines recently when they announced their transfers to Georgia.

Additionally, former West Virginia star and junior defensive back Tykee Smith is now a Bulldog and is considered one of the top returning safeties in America.

Former Alabama defensive back Brandon Turnage also announced his transfer to Georgia this offseason, but DawgNation is reporting that his status is in doubt after reports that he’s not with the team.

All but Turnage now appear on Georgia’s official updated roster and have been assgined jersey numbers for the upcoming season.

Derion Kendrick: No. 11
Arik Gilbert: No. 14
Tykee Smith: No. 23

The biggest takeaway from GeorgiaDogs.com’s updated roster is that Gilbert is indeed listed as a wide receiver, rather than a tight end.

Georgia football player card: RB Zamir White

Georgia Bulldogs running back Zamir White is expected to start again for Georgia in 2021.

Running Back Zamir White (No. 3):

Class: Junior

Height: 6-0

Weight: 215 pounds

Hometown: Laurinburg, N.C.

High School: Scotland High School

Georgia Bulldogs running back Zamir “Zeus” White came to Athens as a five-star recruit. White was the top-rated RB prospect in the class of 2018 despite tearing his ACL in the high school playoffs as a senior. White tore it again before his first season at Georgia in 2018. White took a redshirt that season, so he is only a junior despite this being his fourth season in Athens.

Zeus was the co-winner of David Jacobs Award for overcoming injury during the 2019 season along with quarterback D’Wan Mathis. White changed the script in 2019, when he stayed healthy en route to 408 rushing yards on 78 carries.

White started at running back for all 10 of Georgia’s games in 2020. White is a physical running back who can remain upright through a lot of contact. He finished the 2020 season with 779 rushing yards on 144 carries.

White shared the backfield with James Cook, Kendall Milton, Daijun Edwards and Kenny McIntosh last season. The same running back room returns for Kirby Smart and Georgia in 2021. The Dawgs got a big boost when White and Cook announced they would return for a fourth season.

The North Carolina product is Georgia’s top rushing back, but he does not excel as much in the passing game. Cook and McIntosh are Georgia’s top receiving backs. White only caught six passes for 37 yards last year. His ability to improve as a receiver will be critical for his NFL draft stock.

White put up insane numbers in high school. He scored over 100 touchdowns and finished his career as the ninth highest rusher in North Carolina High School history with over 7,000 yards. He averaged over 14 yards per carry during his senior season. His Scotland highlights are some of the most impressive high school highlights you will ever see:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NWa6HolpNg

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Georgia running back Zamir White (3) moves the ball past Georgia defensive back Jalen Kimber (6) during the Georgia G-Day Spring football game in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, April 17, 2021. Joshua L. Jones, Athens Banner-Herald

Georgia football player card: LB Smael Mondon Jr.

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. enrolled early in Athens and participated in spring practice.

Smael Mondon Jr., Linebacker (No. 2):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-3

Weight: 220 pounds

Hometown: Dallas, Georgia

High School: Paulding County High School

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. enrolled early in Athens and participated in spring practice. The Paulding County product recorded five tackles in the G-Day spring game. Mondon Jr. comes to the University of Georgia as a decorated five-star recruit.

Mondon Jr. has good size, length, and speed. He is a tackling machine and could earn significant playing time as a freshman. He was all over the field during his days at Paulding County, where Mondon Jr. played wide receiver and running back in addition to linebacker.

Mondon Jr. projects to be a depth piece on Dan Lanning’s defense and a special teams player. Lanning’s defense rotates a high number of defenders every season, so there will be opportunity for Mondon Jr.; Georgia has a loaded linebackers room again.

The five-star recruit will compete with returning inside linebackers Quay Walker, Nakobe Dean, Trezmen Marshall, Rian Davis and Channing Tindall for playing time at the inside linebacker position.

The lengthy linebacker has some excellent high school football highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hppb7dWT5uM

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Georgia football player card: LB Rian Davis

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Rian Davis played in seven games throughout the 2020 college football season

Rian Davis, Linebacker (No. 0):

Class: Redshirt sophomore

Height: 6-2

Weight: 230 pounds

Hometown: Apopka, Florida

High School: Wekiva High School

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Davis played in seven games during the 2020 college football season. He recorded one tackle and primarily contributed as a special teams player. Davis changed to jersey No. 0 from No. 12 this offseason.

The Wekiva High School star redshirted during his freshman year in 2019. He appeared in the home loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Davis came to Athens as a four-star recruit and a top 100 prospect. He tore his ACL as a senior in high school (four games in). Davis, an Orlando-area recruit, enrolled early at the University of Georgia and was healthy enough to participate in spring practice before his freshman season.

Davis will be a depth piece on Dan Lanning’s defense, which rotates a high number of defenders every season. Georgia has a stacked linebackers room once again.

The former four-star recruit will compete with returning linebackers Quay Walker, Nakobe Dean, Trezmen Marshall and Channing Tindall for playing time at the inside linebacker position.

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Watch: Highlights of Georgia football DB Christopher Smith

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Christopher Smith stepped up into the starting safety role last season

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Christopher Smith stepped up into the starting safety role last season after Richard LeCounte was involved in an accident following the Kentucky game. Smith finished the 2020 season with 26 tackles and a pass deflection.

Smith came to Athens as a four-star recruit and has played in every game during the last two seasons.

This upcoming season is presumed to be Christopher Smith’s most important year in Athens. He’s expected to start at safety alongside Lewis Cine. Georgia has a thin defensive backfield, so it’s key that both starting safeties stay healthy next season.

Additionally, Christopher Smith will look to force more turnovers. Someone will need to step up to replace Richard LeCounte’s production. LeCounte averaged four combined interceptions and forced fumbles per season as a starter.

Before coming to Georgia, Christopher Smith helped Hapeville Charter win a GHSA state title in 2017. Smith and fellow University of Georgia defensive back William Poole were teammates at Hapeville Charter.

Check out Christopher Smith’s highlights here:

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UGA Football Live with J.C. Shelton: S1, Ep. 20: Season Superlatives Part III and Roster Outlook: Linebackers

J.C. talks about recent Georgia football news, including some key returning talent, and breaks down the Bulldogs’ linebacker room.

Your friends at β€œUGA Football Live” and UGA Wire present your one-stop shop for all things Georgia football!

This offseason we will be releasing episodes each Thursday with interviews, news and rumors and more!

In this week’s episode, I talk about recent Georgia football news, including some key returning talent, and I breakdown the Bulldogs’ linebacker room. Who’s coming back? Who will start? Who could be a breakout star? I answer those questions and give out Season Superlatives Part III, featuring our 2020 defensive MVP.

Listen here on Spotify:

 

Or here, on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uga-football-live-with-j-c-shelton/id1533295384#episodeGuid=Buzzsprout-7819723

Also I talk:

  • CFB Roundup

I touch on news around the college football world and discuss the strength of schedule of the top returning teams in the country for 2021.

 

Make sure to subscribe, rate and review! And check out our other episodes featuring former Georgia greats likeΒ Tavarres King (Ep. 3)Β  Keith Marshall (Ep. 4) Arthur Lynch (Ep. 6) Malcolm Mitchell (Ep. 7) Drew Butler (Ep. 9) Aaron Murray (Ep. 17) and Brandon Boykin with Chris Burnette (Ep. 18).

Georgia football DB selects transfer destination

Former Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Hugh Nelson is transferring to the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

Former Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Hugh Nelson is transferring to the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. Nelson is a redshirt sophomore previously entered into the NCAA transfer portal earlier this offseason. Now, Nelson has found his new home.

Hugh Nelson joins fellow walk-on Kolby Wyatt as the second Georgia Bulldog to transfer to Hawaii this offseason.

Nelson will be immediately eligible at Hawaii (like all transfers this offseason). He graduates in May of 2021 and will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Nelson walked on to the football team in 2018 and took a redshirt that season while he primarily served as a key scout team player. In fact, Nelson won the Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year award for his effort in 2018.

Nelson played in the Arkansas State game in the 2019 season, but did not appear in any games during 2020. Prior to coming to the University of Georgia, Nelson ran track and played football during his time at Hillgrove High School.

Hugh Nelson announced his decision to transfer to Hawaii via his Twitter account:

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