Tag: University of Georgia

UGA rises in U.S. News 2024 college rankings

Where does the University of Georgia rank in U.S. News & World Report’s latest college rankings?

The University of Georgia is ranked among the top 20 public university according to U.S. News & World Report. Georgia has been ranked in the top 20 for nine straight years. UGA is ranked as the No. 18 public school in the country.

Georgia is ranked No. 46 (tied) nationally. Georgia has an enrollment of 31,514 undergraduate students.

“I wanted to acknowledge the University of Georgia again was recognized for U.S. News and World Report’s top public institutions in the country,” said Georgia football coach Kirby Smart. “We’re blessed to be part of a university that is one of the top public institutions in the country and consistently been in the top 20.”

“We sell that in recruiting hard. It certainly is a great academic institution, and we’re blessed to be a part of it. A lot of credit goes to our administration, President Morehead, our faculty, our students,” said Smart.

So how does U.S. News & World Report rank colleges? It heavily weighs graduation rates, peer assessment, graduation rate performance and financial resources per student as the most important factors.

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UGA is one of the best public schools in the country. So many folks have been so passionate about Georgia since UGA was founded in 1785.

Ranking SEC schools by student enrollment

Ranking the enrollment of every SEC schools including UGA

The Southeastern Conference is well known for its athletic dominance, particularly in football. However, following the conference’s recent additions of the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas, the SEC now has over 600,000 total students.

The SEC is home to some of the largest colleges in the country. Thirteen of the SEC’s 16 schools have over 30,000 enrolled students. The average SEC school has 37,912 students enrolled. It is no wonder that with such large enrollments that the SEC is also home to some of the largest college football stadiums in the country.

Enrollment figures include both graduate and undergraduate students. We used the enrollment totals from the SEC media guides of each school entering the 2024 college football season. These enrollments numbers are primarily from the 2023-2024 academic year.

Ranking SEC schools by enrollment (from largest to smallest)

Texas A&M University has the biggest enrollment of any college in the SEC. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

1. Texas A&M (77,495 students enrolled)

2. Florida (60,795)

3. Texas (52,384)

4. Georgia (40,118)

5. Alabama (39,623)

6. LSU (39,419)

7. Tennessee (36,304)

8. South Carolina (36,200)

9. Kentucky (33,885)

10. Auburn (33,015)

11. Oklahoma (32,676)

12. Arkansas (32,410)

13. Missouri (31,121)

14. Mississippi (24,710)

15. Mississippi State (22,986)

16. Vanderbilt (13,456)

2025 NFL Draft prospect Carson Beck reflects on journey to becoming best QB in the nation

Carson Beck recently spoke on his journey to becoming the largely projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

You can hardly say the words “best quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft” without Georgia signal-caller Carson Beck’s name being immediately brought up in conversation.

But it wasn’t always that way. Despite being a highly-touted recruit, Beck was at one time relatively unknown throughout the college football world because of the fact he held the clipboard behind JT Daniels and Stetson Bennett.

“For me, obviously this is my fifth year coming up, so being at the University of Georgia for four-and-a-half years now, it’s been a long journey and it hasn’t always been super easy,” Beck told reporters at 2024 SEC Media Days. “Those first three years were really tough, especially getting a little scrap time — getting playing time, but it wasn’t real playing time. But obviously I knew that one day I was going to get that opportunity, and I think that’s what helped me stay and helped me to continue to compete and try to get better each and every day and just keep progressing because I knew when I got that opportunity I just wanted to be ready.”

Beck seemed to have the notion that 2021 might just be his year, but when Daniels went down with an injury after the Clemson game, it was Bennett instead who was selected to take his place.

“I don’t really remember. That’s so long ago but in my head, I was the backup. That’s what was assumed,” Beck said. “I don’t know if it was ever verbalized. The way the reps went, that’s how it was. I was going to get reps with the ones every now and then, I was getting mixed in … That Friday before the game, I was told it wasn’t me. I thought it was me before then. It was tough, really tough.”

Bennett took full control of the chance that was given to him, ultimately surpassing not only Beck, but Daniels, who was at one time projected to be a Heisman Trophy winner and a first-round draft pick, as well. Bennett wrote arguably the best comeback story in college football history, winning back-to-back national championships before becoming a fourth-round NFL Draft selection.

But when he went on, Beck turned heads as he splashed on the scene in his first year as the Georgia starter at quarterback, finishing out with over a 72% completion rate, passing for 3,941 yards with a 24-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He also rushed for for 116 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Now, as a possible No. 1 overall draft pick heading into the 2024 season, Beck’s intentions could not be more clear.

“There are expectations from everyone but my expectations that I hold for myself are higher than any person could ever put on me.”

I’m my biggest critic so anything anybody could ever say would never hurt me because I promise I’ve probably said something worse to myself. I think the biggest thing is staying focused on the team and what the ultimate goal is, winning that National Championship.”

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Panthers take 2024 draft’s ‘best route runner’ in new ESPN mock

The Panthers got paired with a Senior Bowl standout in ESPN’s latest two-round mock draft.

One of the stars from this year’s Senior Bowl could be a fit in Charlotte.

ESPN NFL draft analyst and insider Matt Miller came through on Monday with his second mock draft of the offseason. And being that it was a two-round projection, the Carolina Panthers got in on the fun at No. 33—with University of Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey.

Miller writes:

The Panthers didn’t do a great job surrounding rookie quarterback Bryce Young with talent at wide receiver in 2023 and must make major additions this offseason. McConkey is the best route runner in the draft with excellent stop-start quickness and acceleration out of his cuts. He’s also sure-handed enough to be the Panthers’ No. 1 receiving option.

McConkey is a two-time national champion out of Athens. The six-foot, 185-pounder, who played in just nine games this past season, recorded 30 receptions for 478 yards and two scores for the Bulldogs in 2023.

Unfortunately for Bryce Young, he and his Alabama Crimson Tide were mowed down en route of the first of McConkey’s two rings. But if he’s any help to him in the pros, there probably won’t be any problems between the two SEC standouts.

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The college football world mourns the death of Georgia Bulldogs mascot Uga X

It’s a sad day. The University of Georgia has lost the best Uga to ever do it.

There is sad news out of the college football world. A former University of Georgia mascot, Uga X — better known to many as “Que” — has died. He was 10 years old.

The University of Georgia announced on Tuesday that Que crossed over the Rainbow Bridge in his sleep. He began his time with the Bulldogs on November 21, 2015, during halftime at a Georgia-Georgia Southern matchup. It was a night game, and the team’s band asked fans to “light up” Stanford Stadium as the fourth quarter approached. Georgia went on to win the game, and the rest is history.

During his tenure, Que was there through two SEC titles, two national championships and a host of bowl games. He retired in 2022 with a 91-18 record, becoming the most decorated Georgia Bulldog mascot ever.

The college football world and Georgia Bulldog fans mourned on Twitter as the news broke Tuesday morning:

Patriots select playmaking tight end in ESPN’s latest mock draft

This latest ESPN mock draft has the Patriots selecting a major offensive weapon in 2024.

The New England Patriots need playmakers on both sides of the football, but offense should be the focal point heading into the offseason.

Mock drafts already have the team selecting high in 2024. ESPN’s latest mock draft has New England selecting tight end Brock Bowers from Georgia at No. 7 overall.

Bowers is perhaps the best tight end in college football. He currently has 41 receptions for 567 yards and four touchdowns. He is an explosive playmaker, averaging 13.8 yards per reception this year and 14.9 yards per reception for his career. He is currently out with an ankle injury.

New England could use playmakers at the tight end position. Mike Gesicki is on a one-year deal, and Hunter Henry is a free agent after the 2024 season.

The Patriots organization is known for letting veterans walk and restocking the cupboard with younger talent. Bowers could certainly fit that mold. Here’s what ESPN’s Jordan Reid had to say:

You would have to go all the way back to 2010 to find the last time the Patriots drafted an offensive playmaker who turned into a standout player: Rob Gronkowski. And with Bowers sitting atop the best available list, New England can land a special tight end to improve QB Mac Jones’ supporting cast. He’s an ideal fit in the Patriots’ offense. Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki are both scheduled to be free agents, so Bowers would immediately be a go-to option. The Georgia star is out with a left ankle injury, but he had 567 receiving yards over seven games before having surgery.

New England could look to address their QB situation, too, but it’s hard to envision coach Bill Belichick wanting to start over with a young passer. Instead, Bowers could help Jones regain his rookie-season form.

The Georgia star would be a playmaker that New England desperately needs.

They haven’t drafted a playmaking tight end in quite some time, and Bowers could be the perfect player to reinvigorate the position. He could be the type of player to turn Jones’ career around.

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WATCH: Robert Beal Jr.’s best highlights from University of Georgia

Robert Beal Jr. put together a great highlight reel as a Georgia Bulldog and should prove to be a great investment for the #49ers

Robert Beal Jr. could prove to be one of the San Francisco 49ers’ best picks in their 2023 draft class but will need to find a way to buy himself some playing time before fans can get a good look at his talent.

He was a standout on the University of Georgia’s defense last year, playing a key role on the Bulldogs’ defensive line. Beal’s athleticism should translate well to the NFL, and with some luck, he could factor into the 49ers’ plans sooner than some expect.

Check out his best college highlights below to get more familiar with Beal’s game ahead of the 2023 season:

 

Joe Hortiz says Ravens will have advantage in draft given Todd Monken’s experience

Newly hired offensive coordinator Todd Monken could play a key role in helping the Ravens excel in the 2023 NFL draft

The Baltimore Ravens have several holes on their roster after their slow start to the 2023 offseason, and with the NFL draft fast approaching, it seems that the team will opt to add younger talent rather than take their chances on veteran free agents.

One advantage that Baltimore has is the familiarity that their new offensive coordinator Todd Monken will bring the Ravens after previously coaching at the University of Georgia. Given that several of the class’ best prospects played their college ball in Athens, Baltimore’s director of player personnel Joe Hortiz told reporters in a pre-draft press conference that he feels the team has a distinct advantage.

“Yes, we certainly do. We know the Georgia players with [offensive coordinator] Todd [Monken]. But we’re still going through that process, and we’ll have medical meetings, and then we’ll talk it over with the coaching staff. [Scouting information & research manager] Steve Clagett does a great job with all our background investigations and research. So, we kind of talk through it. We don’t eliminate anyone based on a quote-unquote grade; it’s a discussion and a conversation that we talk through with the coaching staff during the meetings.”

While he went out of his way to make it clear that other departments will have a significant impact on the team’s evaluations of prospects, Hortiz’s comments about Monken’s presence shouldn’t be taken lightly. The newly-minted offensive coordinator has been around the game for a long time, especially at the collegiate level, and should prove to be invaluable to Baltimore as the Ravens look to re-tool for a comeback 2023 season.

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Georgia star DL Jalen Carter charged with reckless driving, street racing in fatal crash

Arrest warrant issued for Georgia star and top NFL draft prospect Jalen Carter

Jalen Carter, star defensive lineman at the University of Georgia and expected to be a top pick in the 2023 NFL draft, is the subject of an arrest warrant in a January crash that took the life of a teammate and UGA staffer, per a report.

The original reports suggested it was a one-car crash that took the lives of Georgia football staffer Chandler LeCroy, who was driving the car that crashed, and offensive lineman Devin Willock. Another football staffer and another football player were injured.

According to police documents, Carter left the scene of the accident before emergency personnel and officers arrived before returning 90 minutes later. He then told police he was traveling alongside the other car, whose speedometer stuck on impact at 83 mph — double the speed limit. Athens police questioned Carter about the possibility he was racing the other car, but the player denied his involvement.

Per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

“Police had reason to suspect almost from the moment of the crash that other cars had been at the scene, and they soon learned at least two of those vehicles were driven by Georgia football players,” according to the AJC’s Alan Judd and Dylan Jackson’s report. “Seeking evidence of possible racing, officers have obtained surveillance video from city-owned cameras along the route the players took out of downtown Athens. They also obtained footage from at least one business owner.”

Update:

Carter was at the NFL combine in Indianapolis and was scheduled to meet the media on Wednesday.

That didn’t happen.

Ravens OC Todd Monken shares what he learned at Georgia to make him better coach

Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken talks about what he learned to be a better coach after being at the University of Georgia

Baltimore Ravens’ new offensive coordinator Todd Monken has worked in the NFL prior to having success at the University of Georgia in the same role, winning back-to-back National Championships. He had stints as the offensive coordinator both for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns, so he has familiarity calling plays for an offense at the NFL level.

When asked what he learned from the last three years at Georgia that can make him a better coach now, after having previous stints in the NFL, Monken went into great detail about how he believes the game has changed over his time as a coach. He talked about how it’s now about being explosive, creating space, and incorporating it all into an offense.

“I think the game has changed. The game has become more of a space game; using all 53-and-a-third yards and using the width and depth of the field, using space players and your skill players. I think that’s changed. Years ago, maybe it was inside-zone and run-duo downhill. Now, it’s utilizing athletic quarterbacks. The game has changed; it’s changing. At one time, it was taller pocket passers, and now you’re seeing more shorter, athletic players. The game has changed in terms of using their athleticism, using players’ athleticisms, what they bring to the table because the game is about space. It’s about being explosive. Well, how do you create explosives? Well, part of it is creating space. So, that’s probably the biggest thing is, ‘How do you find a way to incorporate that into your offense?’ I think also being no-huddle, some tempo [and] what that provides because [in the college game] we were all no-huddle. It’s a little bit different then because of the dynamics of a signal system, and then the [radio communication] green dot to the quarterback. So, you have to work through some of that. That will take some working through, but it’s a speed bump, not a hurdle.”

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