Tag: uga footballl

Mississippi State’s Jeff Lebby explains how Bulldogs can upset Georgia

Mississippi State Bulldogs coach Jeff Lebby explains how Mississippi State would upset No. 4 Georgia

Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby faces an immense challenge when the Bulldogs travel to Athens, Georgia, this Saturday to play the No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs. Mississippi State is just 1-4 this season including an ugly 41-17 home loss to Toledo. The Bulldogs are massive underdogs against Georgia.

Mississippi State is coming off its bye week, which should help the Bulldogs against Georgia.

“I thought it was important for our guys to get away a little bit… reset, refocus, regroup and get ready for this back half of the season,” said Lebby after Mississippi State’s bye week.

Mississippi State is motivated to play one of the top teams in the country. Georgia has not lost at home since 2019. “We’ve got an incredible challenge on Saturday, but our guys are excited about it,” said Lebby.

So what will it take for Mississippi State to pull off the upset?

“We’re going to have to do a great job of taking care of the football and taking advantage of some opportunities. If we can move the football, we have to score touchdowns and not kick field goals,” explained Lebby.

Winning the turnover margin and red zone battle is certainly a way to pull off an upset, but it is easier said than done against this Georgia team. Mississippi State will have to try to win on the road without their starting quarterback.

Mississippi State freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren will make his second career start against Georgia.

“It is a huge opportunity for him…to have this great amount of growth after getting his first start,” said Lebby on Van Buren, who made his first career start at Texas. Last week showed that a major SEC upset is possible on any given Saturday.

Todd McShay names Georgia’s D’Andre Swift as top RB in 2020 NFL Draft

ESPN’s Todd McShay named Georgia football RB D’Andre Swift as the best ball carrier in the 2020 NFL Draft.

D’Andre Swift is looking to become the next great Georgia running back to takeover the NFL.

In the last five years lone, Todd Gurley, Sony Michel and Nick Chubb have all made great transitions from the college to pro level. Gurley’s won an NFL Offensive Player of the Year award, Michel’s rookie season saw him win a Super Bowl, and last year Chubb was less than 50 yards away from being the league’s leading rusher.

What will Swift do early on his pro career?

Many have Swift as the top running back in the 2020 NFL Draft class, and for good reason.

At the NFL Combine in Indianapolis last week, Swift did more than enough to keep the hype high. He ran a 4.48 40-yard dash, put up a 35.5-inch vertical and 121-inch broad jump. He measured in at 5-foot-8, 212 pounds, so he is built perfectly for a shorter ball carrier.

Going back to Michel, Gurley and Chubb, all first and second round picks.

ESPN’s draft analyst Todd McShay thinks that Swift has what it takes to be the best out of that group.

“Swift is explosive,” McShay said on a Tuesday morning conference call.

“They’ve had so many good backs come out of Georgia. I’m not saying he’s the best, but he’s better than the recent first and second-rounders they’ve had. He does everything at full speed. Whether it’s transitioning from after catch, to reading blocks, to making that cutback. … he’s explosive.

“The running back group, even though we may only have one in the first round with Swift in my opinion, JK Dobbins is a stud. Jonathan Taylor is (great). And if you ask Joe Burrow who the best player is he has ever played with, he says (Clyde) Edwards-Helaire. Swift is just a notch above those guys because he’s complete. It’s easy to see on tape.”

Solomon Kindley has advice for former Georgia football teammates

Georgia football offensive guard Solomon Kindley has advice for his former UGA teammates while at the NFL Combine.

Georgia offensive guard Solomon Kindley is in Indianapolis this week for the NFL Combine.

Viewed anywhere from a first to third round draft pick, Kindley is meeting with teams, undergoing body measurements and eventually will partake in on-field drills.

Related: Solomon Kindley a classic NFL guard

Kindley said he has already met with the Packers and Patriots and has plans to meet with the Falcons and the Chiefs.

Since 2017, he started 10 games at right guard and 26 at left guard. He left Georgia with one year of eligibility remaining, and during an interview at the combine he mentioned that he misses Athens and his teammates back in Georgia.

“I’m not going to lie, I miss my teammates,” Kindley said. “I miss my little brothers. I miss them UGA Dawgs.”

When asked what he missed most about Kirby Smart, Kindley noted that it was Kirby’s drive and constant motivation that he has missed the most.

He also went on to give advice to the younger Bulldogs in Athens.

“Take it all in. Just soak it all up because it feels like I had just got there and now I’m here already. Don’t waste no time. The time is short at Georgia. Everything you do, you gotta pay attention to.”

“Do everything the right way.”

[lawrence-related id=23279,23270,23262,23247,23240,23215]

Busy week for Solomon Kindley, including possible meeting with Falcons

Former Georgia football OT Solomon Kindley says he has meetings with multiple NFL teams, including a potential one with the Atlanta Falcons.

Could the Atlanta Falcons finally snap the streak of refusing to select former Georgia payers in the NFL Draft?

This year could be the year, especially with the high volume of Georgia players in the draft. Is it possible that the Falcons will be left no choice but to draft a former Bulldog?

Solomon Kindley, Georgia’s offensive guard who is viewed as a 1-3 round draft pick, said that he believes he has a formal interview with the Falcons this week.

He also added that he has met with the Packers and Patriots, and also thinks he has a meeting with the Chiefs coming up.

Kindley to the Falcons would excite Georgia fans, and it would surely excite Kindley, who would stay close to home. Kindley grew up in Jacksonville, Florida.

And then there’s the Chiefs, who Kindley also said he believes he has a meeting with this week. Kindley, if taken by Kansas City, would pair up with speedster Mecole Hardman on the Super Bowl champs.

But the possibility that excites me the most is Kindley to the Patriots. The two parties have already met at the NFL Combine, and it’s a known fact that Pats head coach Bill Belichick is a big fan of drafting Dawgs.

If Kindley does wind up in New England, he would join an offensive line that already features two Georgia guys — David Andrews and Isaiah Wynn. Additionally, he would join his fellow Dawgs in blocking for another Georgia boy, running back Sony Michel.

In Indy, Kindley measured in at 6-foot-3 and 1/4 inches tall and weighed in at 337 pounds.

Since 2017, Kindley started 10 games at right guard and 26 at left guard.

Kindley left Georgia with one year of eligibility remaining.

Georgia football RB D’Andre Swift to meet with two AFC East teams at NFL Combine

Georgia football RB D’Andre Swift is scheduled to meet with two AFC East teams at the NFL Combine.

Georgia running back D’Andre Swift is viewed as a first round pick in April’s NFL Draft.

He’ll likely be the first running back taken off the board, and there’s two AFC East teams that he is scheduled to meet with this week – the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills.

The Dolphins hold both the 18th and 26th pick in the draft with the Bills having the 22nd pick.

If Swift does go at 18, 22 or 26, he would be the highest taken running back out of Georgia since Gurley went No. 10 in 2015.

Sony Michel went 31st to New England in 2018 and Nick Chubb went 35th to the Browns.

But Swift has been viewed as a higher draft choice thanks in large part to his versatility.

In terms of what a guy can do with the ball in his hands, there’s nobody who has a wider range of skill than Swift.

Not only can he run you over, but he can blow past you with his speed and he has one of the nastiest arsenals of jukes, spins and cuts that you’ll see from a college running back.

But what really sets him apart is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and make things happen. It’s something that Georgia fans may not be too familiar with — and that’s not because Swift could not do it, but because the coaches would not cut #7 loose and let him.

“There are a lot of great backs in this class, but I think I’m the most versatile,” Swift said during his interview session on Wednesday.

“I think I’m a three-down back, and I can do whatever I’m asked to do. God gave me a lot of ability. I don’t take that for granted. I work hard every day, and I’m a leader.”

If Swift does go to the AFC East, that would put him, Chubb and Michel in the same conference. Furthermore, it would place Michel and Swift in the same division, meaning there would be at least two Michel/Swift battles annually.

The NFL Draft begins April 23rd.

Charlie Woerner praises Georgia football teammates at NFL Combine

Charlie Woerner, nephew of legendary Georgia Bulldogs safety Scott Woerner, is just happy to be here. “I definitely don’t feel like I have enough tape out there catching balls. So it’s definitely something to go out and prove that I can do.” The …

Charlie Woerner, nephew of legendary Georgia Bulldogs safety Scott Woerner, is just happy to be here.

“I definitely don’t feel like I have enough tape out there catching balls. So it’s definitely something to go out and prove that I can do.”

The tight end is one of ten former Dawgs invited to appear before NFL scouts prior to the league’s 2020 draft.

Answering media members at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Woerner spent a near majority of his public interview singing the praises of his fellow Bulldogs invited to the combine.

First mentioned was tailback D’Andre Swift:

“D’Andre is a great player. I think he’s going to do really well in the NFL. He had a really good three years at Georgia. I wish all the best for him.”

Next, offensive tackle Andrew Thomas:

“I saw Andrew grow a ton, man. When he came in as a freshman, I’d never seen a freshman more ready to play and help out a team.”

Thomas, projected by some as the top offensive tackle prospect in this year’s NFL Draft, received a glowing review from his former teammate.

“As a freshman and to his junior year, he grew a ton. He got stronger and he really understood the game more. It was fun to play with him, that’s for sure.”

Woerner continued:

“To put Andrew out there [as starting left tackle] as a freshman and for him to do what he did in three years at Georgia…we trusted Andrew.”

Woerner’s former collegiate quarterbacks and fellow combine invitees Jake Fromm and Jacob Eason, both of whom declared early for 2020’s NFL Draft, are right-handed. Referring to protecting a righty quarterback’s blindside, he noted that “left tackle is one of the most important positions on the offense.”

On Jake Fromm:

“Jake’s a competitor, man. He’s going to do whatever it takes to win a football game. He’s going to be one of the hardest working guys on the team for sure. He’s going to push everyone around him to be the best.”

Woerner will participate in drills at the NFL Combine on Thursday, February 27 alongside all invited tight ends, wide receivers and quarterbacks, including fellow Georgia alumni Jake Fromm and Lawrence Cager.

Measurements for every Georgia football player at NFL Combine

NFL Combine measurement results for every Georgia football.

This week, a number of former Georgia players are in Indianapolis for the 2020 NFL Combine, where they will be partaking in measurements, on-field workouts, team interviews and medical examinations.

So far, every player minus J.R. Reed has gone through the measurement portion of the week, and we have all results listed for you below.

Here is this week’s schedule for Georgia’s 10 players in attendance.

(Note, Georgia has no players in group 3 — Just 1, 2 and 4.)

Group 1: (Fromm, Cager, Woerner)

Sunday, Feb. 23: Arrive in Indy, Registration, Orientation, Interviews

Monday, Feb. 24: Measurements, Pre-exam at hospital, Interviews

Tuesday, Feb. 25: Media session, Medical exams, Position coach interviews, Psychological testing

Wednesday, Feb. 26: NFLPA Meeting, Interviews, Bench Press, Psychological Testing

Thursday, Feb. 27: Limited testing, On-field Workout

Friday, Feb. 28: Departure from Indianapolis

Group 2: (Blankenship, Thomas, Kindley, Wilson, Swift, Herrien)

Monday, Feb. 24: Arrive in Indy, Registration, Orientation, Interviews

Tuesday, Feb. 25: Measurements, Pre-exam at hospital, Interviews

Wednesday, Feb. 26: Media session, Medical exams, Position coach interviews, Psychological testing

Thursday, Feb. 27: NFLPA Meeting, Interviews, Bench Press, Psychological Testing

Friday, Feb. 28: Limited testing, On-field Workout

Saturday, Feb. 29: Departure from Indianapolis

Group 4: DB (JR Reed)

Wednesday, Feb. 26: Arrive, Registration, Orientation, Interviews

Thursday, Feb. 27: Measurements, Pre-exam at hospital, Interviews

Friday, Feb. 28: Media session, Medical exams, Position coach interviews, Psychological testing

Saturday, Feb. 29: NFLPA Meeting, Interviews, Bench Press, Psychological Testing

Sunday, March 1: Limited testing, On-field Workout

Monday, March 2: Departure from Indianapolis

Here are the measurement results from the nine players so far:

Jake Fromm

Jan 6, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm (11) speaks during media day at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia’s Jake Fromm has received his 2020 NFL Combine measurements. Fromm’s hand size, which is under nine inches, is somewhat concerning. Nine inches is considered the minimum hand size for an NFL quarterback.

Here’s how both Jake Fromm and Washington Huskies QB Jacob Eason measured at the combine:

Ultimately, hand size doesn’t have much correlation with cold weather performance and fumbles, so it shouldn’t drop Fromm too far. That being said, Fromm doesn’t have the measurables of the other elite quarterbacks in the 2020 NFL Draft.

LSU’s Joe Burrow did have nine inch hands as well. He’ll still be the first pick of the NFL Draft. One-eighth of an inch shouldn’t make too much of a difference for UGA’s Jake Fromm.

NFL player comparison:

Fromm: Colt McCoy

Eason: Carson Palmer/Brock Osweiler

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

NFL Combine measurements: Georgia football RB D’Andre Swift

NFL Combine measurements for Georgia football RB D’Andre Swift.

Georgia running back D’Andre Swift is viewed as one of the premiere backs in the 2020 NFL Draft class.

Swift’s versatility with and without the ball in his hands is what makes him so special compared to other tailbacks.

Not only can he run you over, but he can blow past you with his speed and he has one of the nastiest arsenals of jukes, spins and cuts that you’ll see from a college running back.

But what really sets him apart is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and make things happen. It’s something that Georgia fans may not be too familiar with — and that’s not because Swift could not do it, but because the coaches would not cut #7 loose and let him.

Viewed as a late first or early second round draft pick, Swift, who has been compared to NFL great Frank Gore, underwent measurements on Tuesday while at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

Swift’s measurements are as follows (in inches and pounds):

Height: 5-8 2/8

Weight: 212

Hand: 9

Arm: 29 7/8

Wingspan: 72

View this post on Instagram

D'Andre Swift NFL combine weigh in

A post shared by Georgia Football Fan Page (@dawgsontop) on

Below is NFL.com’s pre-draft overview of Swift:

Swift possesses the play traits and running style of a skillful NFL veteran and is the latest in an avalanche of talented Georgia backs. Tempo and decisiveness are his calling cards, making him a highly talented inside/outside zone runner. He’s a cerebral runner who understands block timing and uses quick-cut agility and rare spatial awareness to read and react to defenses beyond the second level. Swift isn’t overly explosive as a home-run hitter and doesn’t run with the violence of last year’s top running back, Josh Jacobs. He can step right in and provide early stability and production as an efficient, every-down back with Offensive Rookie of the Year potential.

NFL Combine measurements: Georgia football RB Brian Herrien

NFL Combine measurements for Georgia football RB Brian Herrien.

Brian Herrien, a fan favorite in Athens during his career at Georgia, underwent measurements on Tuesday at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

Douglasville native Herrien, who was able to put together a productive career as a backup in Athens, is viewed as a guy who will likely go undrafted or be taken in one of the later rounds.

But one thing that’s for sure is that whoever does get Herrien will be getting one of the hardest working players in the entire draft class.

Herrien’s measurements are as follows:

Height: 5-11 and 1/8 inches

Weight: 209 lbs

Hand: 9″

Arm: 29 and 3/4 inches

Wingspan: 73 and 3/4 inches

View this post on Instagram

Brian Herrien NFL combine weigh in

A post shared by Georgia Football Fan Page (@dawgsontop) on

NFL.com’s overview of Herrien is as follows:

Hard-charging, backup-caliber running back with adequate size and plenty of toughness but missing feel and finesse. Herrien is loose-limbed and has some elusiveness, but the tape is littered with runs where he tastes squared, punishing contact. With that said, he has one fumble over 296 attempts and through all the contact, he rarely seems deterred from squeezing out additional yardage by any means necessary. His lack of decisiveness is apparent when watching him follow teammate D’Andre Swift, but success in short-yardage carries and kick-return experience might help his cause.

NFL Combine measurements: Georgia football K Rodrigo Blankenship

NFL Combine measurements for Georgia football K Rodrigo Blankenship.

Maybe the most beloved kicker in the history of Georgia football arrived in Indianapolis this week for the NFL Combine, with things getting started on Tuesday where he underwent measurements and medical examinations.

According to Charles Robinson of Yahoo!, Hot Rod measured in at:

Height: 6-1

Weight: 190

Hand: 9″

Arm: 30 and 5/8 inches

Wingspan: 73 and 1/8 inch

To be honest, I’m not even sure why they make kickers get measured like this. I would think shoe size or thigh size even is more important than any of these stats.

[lawrence-related id=23122,23115,23098,23079,23098,22959,22941]

Here is NFL.com’s overview of Blankenship:

Charismatic kicker and fan favorite — as long as he’s making his kicks. His thick, black-rimmed glasses have become his trademark, but so too are booming touchbacks and a big leg to hit 50-yard field goals with plenty of ball flight leftover. Blankenship rarely mishits the football, but does need to make sure he elevates drive kicks consistently. He should be the first kicker off the board.
Strengths
  • Made 92.7 percent of kicks under 40 yards
  • Career 82.5 percent field goal mark as a former walk-on
  • Very rarely mishits his kicks
  • Controlled, compact follow through
  • Gets good leverage to rip through the ball on kicks of 50-plus
  • Rose Bowl record 55-yarder and was 6 of 9 from 50-plus in his career
  • Control for surprise, pooch onside kicks
  • Spits bars (released rap song inspired by Kirby Smart’s “Attack the Day” mantra)
  • Good kickoff hangtime
  • Consistently mashes touchbacks
Weaknesses

  • Missed six kicks in 2019

  • Missed would-be game-tying kick in overtime in loss to South Carolina

  • Missed chip-shot 30-yard kick against Alabama in 2018 SEC Championship Game

  • Drive kicks will come out low at times

  • Has had three kicks blocked during career