Tag: uga roster

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.

USA TODAY Sports names Georgia’s breakout stars from spring practice

USA TODAY Sports has named the breakout stars on offense and defense for Georgia football in the upcoming 2021 season.

The SEC has wrapped up its spring practices around the conference, completed its annual spring games, and is now ready to take preparation for the 2021 season to the next level.

Georgia, despite having nine players selected in the 2021 NFL draft, returns a loaded roster that many predict will be talented enough to take the Dawgs back to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2017.

Kirby Smart lost his best offensive player, wide receiver George Pickens, to a torn ACL, but the concern it created about UGA’s weapons on the outside was minimal.

That’s in large part thanks to the play of wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, who USA TODAY Sports named UGA’s top emerging offensive player.

Georgia wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) brings in a pass for a catch during the Georgia G-Day Spring football game. (Photo/Joshua L. Jones, Athens Banner-Herald)

The former three-star out of Cane Ridge High School in Antioch, Tennessee turned a lot of heads at Georgia’s G-Day scrimmage in April. Mitchell caught seven passes for 105 yards and a touchdown during the spring scrimmage and has a lot of Georgia fans excited about his potential to fill in for Pickens.

Mitchell was certainly not a household name among those who closely follow college football recruiting. The 381st overall player in America, Mitchell was only considered the 64th best receiver in the class of 2021.

NEXT: Georgia’s breakout defensive star 

Pages: Page 1, Page 2

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 player card: QB JT Daniels

Georgia Bulldogs redshirt sophomore quarterback JT Daniels comes to UGA after spending the first two seasons of his career at USC

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Quarterback JT Daniels (No. 18):

Class: Redshirt Sophomore

Height: 6-3

Weight: 210 pounds

Hometown: Irvine, California

High School: Mater Dei High School

Georgia Bulldogs redshirt sophomore quarterback JT Daniels comes to UGA after spending the first two seasons of his career at USC. Daniels transferred from the Trojans following an ACL injury he suffered during the 2019 season opener. Daniels is still rehabbing the injury and isn’t fully cleared to play as of late Aug. 2020.

Daniels has an opportunity this season in Athens with the departure of Buffalo Bills quarterback Jake Fromm. He will compete with Jamie Newman, Carson Beck, and more for the starting job. The NCAA granted him immediate illegibility on his transfer.

Georgia’s quarterback position has more depth this season than during the 2019 season. Georgia will have several options ready to step up if the starter suffers an injury. Wake Forest transfer Jamie Newman is projected to be the starter.

In three seasons at the prestigious Mater Dei High School, JT Daniels averaged more than 50 touchdown passes and 4,000 passing yards per season. Daniels was rated as the third ranked quarterback in his recruiting class behind Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields.

Daniels has solid experience from his days at USC. In 2018, Daniels threw for 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for the Trojans. At the very least he will provide the Georgia Bulldogs with a solid, experienced option as a back up. He’s got the talent to earn the starting role this season and beyond.

Nov 24, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback JT Daniels throws a pass against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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Report: UGA football DB returns to the team

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Daran Branch has returned to the team following an absence.

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Daran Branch has returned to the team. Branch is back in Athens after returning home to Louisiana.

Branch was a three-star recruit in the class of 2020. Branch, a true freshman, played high school football at Amite in Louisiana.

Before committing to the University of Georgia, Branch was previously committed to the Ole Miss Rebels. Kirby Smart, former Ole Miss coach Matt Luke, and the Dawgs were able to get him to flip on signing day in 2020.

Daran Branch, Kelee Ringo (who recently underwent shoulder surgery), Jalen Kimber and Major Burns combine to form Georgia’s four scholarship defensive backs in the class of 2020. Branch has missed some important practice time and may be brought along slowly in 2020.

Branch was contemplating if he wanted to continue his football career and returned home, per 247Sports. DawgNation was the first to report Branch’s absence with the team.

Georgia has limited media availability during preseason practice, which makes information on Branch quite limited. We’ll continue to update you on his status.

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Report: Georgia DB not with the team

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Daran Branch is no longer with the team in Athens

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Daran Branch is no longer with the team in Athens after being a three-star recruit in the class of 2020. Branch, a true freshman, played high school football at Amite in Louisiana.

Before committing to the University of Georgia, Branch was committed to the Ole Miss Rebels. Kirby Smart and the Dawgs were able to get him to flip on signing day in 2020.

Daran Branch, Kelee Ringo (who recently underwent shoulder surgery), Jalen Kimber and Major Burns make up Georgia’s four scholarship defensive backs in the class of 2020. Without Branch, the class is a little bit thin at the defensive back position.

Branch is contemplating if he wants to continue his football career and returned home, per 247Sports. DawgNation was the first to report Branch’s absence with the team.

Georgia has limited media availability during preseason practice, which makes information on Branch quite limited.

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Georgia football player card: DB Kelee Ringo

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Kelee Ringo comes to Athens after having offseason shoulder surgery.

Kelee Ringo, defensive back (No. 5):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-2

Weight: 205 pounds

Hometown: Tacoma, Washington

High School: Saguaro (Arizona)

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Kelee Ringo comes to Athens after being rated as a five-star recruit. Most scouting services considered Ringo to be the top cornerback recruit in the class of 2020.

Ringo played in the 2020 All-American Bowl and committed to the University of Georgia during the game.

He played both defensive back and running back at Saguaro High School. As a junior, Ringo ran a 10.4 one-hundred meters. He has elite size and speed for a cornerback. Georgia football was pursuing a four-star defensive end (Quintin Somerville), who is a member of the class of 2021 at Saguaro High School.

Ringo underwent offseason shoulder surgery and is expected to miss a portion of the 2020 college football season.

Daran Branch, Kelee Ringo, Jalen Kimber and Major Burns are Georgia’s four scholarship defensive backs in the class of 2020. These four have a lot of talent.

Georgia’s secondary is deep this season with Eric Stokes, D.J. Daniel, Tyson Campbell, Richard LeCounte, Lewis Cine and more. Daniel and LeCounte are both seniors, so there could be a large contingent of new faces in the 2021 Georgia secondary. Campbell and Stokes have NFL potential and could leave following their junior season this year.

Ringo will be exciting to watch when he gets healthy.

Saguaro’s Kelee Ringo wins heat of the 200 meters during the 2019 Arizona State Track and Field Championship at Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona, May 03, 2019.

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Georgia football player card: DB Jalen Kimber

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Jalen Kimber played elite high school competition at Mansfield Timberview in Texas.

Jalen Kimber, defensive back (No. 6):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-0

Weight: 170 pounds

Hometown: Mansfield, Texas

High School: Mansfield Timberview

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Jalen Kimber is yet another example of Kirby Smart going beyond Georgia’s typical recruiting sphere in order to secure the nation’s top talent. Kimber is a four-star cornerback and was a member of the class of 2020.

Kimber brings incredible athleticism to Athens. He runs a 4.4 forty yard dash and has a 42 inch vertical jump. He was selected to the 2020 All-American Bowl.

He played against stout high school competition in Texas. Additionally, Kimber enrolled early in Athens, so he should be quite prepared for college football’s high level of competition.

Daran Branch, Kelee Ringo (who recently underwent shoulder surgery), Jalen Kimber, and Major Burns make up Georgia’s four scholarship defensive backs in the class of 2020. The four have a lot of talent.

Georgia’s secondary is deep this season with the likes of Eric Stokes, DJ Daniel, Tyson Campbell, Richard LeCounte, Lewis Cine and more. Daniel and LeCounte are both seniors, so there could be a large contingent of new faces in the 2021 Georgia secondary.

Throwback to the day Kimber signed with the Georgia Bulldogs:

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UGA football player card: QB Carson Beck

Georgia Bulldogs freshman quarterback Carson Beck enrolled early this year at UGA and will compete with Jamie Newman and JT Daniels.

Quarterback Carson Beck (No. 15):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-4

Weight: 225 pounds

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida

High School: Mandarin High School

Georgia Bulldogs freshman quarterback Carson Beck enrolled early this year at UGA. Beck was a four-star recruit in the class of 2020. Additionally, before coming to Athens, Beck competed at the 2019 Elite 11 camp.

Beck has an opportunity this season in Athens with the departure of Buffalo Bills quarterback Jake Fromm. He will compete with Jamie Newman, JT Daniels, and more for the starting job.

Georgia’s quarterback position has impressive depth this season. That being said, there may be too many mouths to feed in the quarterback room. Georgia will have several options ready to step up if the starter suffers an injury.

Carson Beck committed to the University of Georgia almost a week after receiving a scholarship offer from Kirby Smart and company. He announced his commitment via his Twitter account:

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Georgia football player card: DB Major Burns

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Major Burns committed to UGA after being rated as a four-star recruit.

Major Burns, defensive back (No. 20):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-2

Weight: 175 pounds

Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

High School: Madison Prep Academy

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Major Burns committed to UGA despite playing high school football in LSU’s backyard. Burns enrolled early at the University of Georgia.

He came to Athens as a four-star recruit. He was quite a versatile athlete in high school, where he played several different positions.

Daran Branch, Kelee Ringo (who recently underwent shoulder surgery), Jalen Kimber, and Major Burns make up Georgia’s four scholarship defensive backs in the class of 2020. The four should all have a bright future.

Dan Lanning, Kirby Smart, and the Georgia defense are looking to replace the safety spot opposite Richard LeCounte this year. Lewis Cine is projected to start at safety, but Burns has the talent to compete with Cine and possibly play as a true freshman.

Burns will add weight to his lengthy frame over the years in Athens. He’s ready for the 2020 college football season:

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