Tag: usatoday sports

Oklahoma Sooners’ Dillon Gabriel No. 10 in USATODAY Sports 2022 quarterback rankings

Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel comes in at No. 10 in USATODAY Sports quarterback rankings ahead of the 2022 season.

Just hours after Caleb Williams announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal, Dillon Gabriel flipped from his commitment to UCLA, turned east, and headed to Oklahoma.

The Sooners never looked back.

Gabriel, who had considered Ole Miss as a transfer destination before Jeff Lebby was hired away by Brent Venables and the Oklahoma Sooners, became the quarterback plan for OU. With Williams in the portal, it was all but a foregone conclusion he was gone and the likely destination was USC. Venables and Lebby committed to Gabriel about as quickly as Gabriel did to OU.

There was no faux quarterback competition. The job was handed to Gabriel who’s thrown for more than 8,000 yards in his college career and 70 touchdowns in two-plus seasons at UCF.

The Sooners’ quarterback situation may not be as highly regarded heading into 2022 as it was last offseason, but Oklahoma has a good one in Dillon Gabriel. He comes in at No. 10 in USATODAY Sports Paul Myerberg’s quarterback rankings for 2022.

After playing in just three games last season due to a broken collarbone, Gabriel reunites with former Central Florida coordinator Jeff Lebby as the Sooners’ replacement for Williams. Gabriel has thrown for 70 touchdowns against only 14 interceptions in 26 career games, with multiple scores in all but four appearances. He’s been even better against Power Five competition, with 13 touchdowns and an average of 9.1 yards per attempt in four such games in his three years with the Knights. – Myerberg, USATODAY Sports

No. 1 on the list is 2021 Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young. Just behind him at No. 2 is 2022 Heisman favorite C.J. Stroud. [autotag]Caleb Williams[/autotag] checks in at No. 5. Surprisingly, and perhaps maybe not so surprising, is that Gabriel ranks ahead of [autotag]Spencer Rattler[/autotag], the guy who was the favorite for the Heisman heading into 2021.

Gabriel is in a good spot with a coordinator that he’s familiar with and experienced weapons in [autotag]Marvin Mims[/autotag], [autotag]Theo Wease[/autotag], [autotag]Brayden Willis[/autotag], [autotag]Eric Gray[/autotag], and an offensive line that has four guys that have started a bunch of games at the collegiate level.

As we saw during Oklahoma’s spring game, Gabriel has the tools to be a successful passer for the Sooners in 2022. His command of the offense, his accuracy, and his arm strength will help the Sooners remain one of the best offenses in the country in 2022.

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USA TODAY NFL mock draft: D’Andre Swift still on the board

USA TODAY NFL mock draft snubs Georgia running back D’Andre Swift in the first round. Andrew Thomas is the only Dawg selected in the top 32.

According to our USATODAY NFL mock draft, only one Georgia Bulldog will be selected in the first round. Georgia’s stud left tackle Andrew Thomas has fallen down draft boards a little bit, but he’s a near unanimous first round pick.

In fact, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Andrew Thomas 14th overall in the mock draft. Thomas would have a chance to block for legendary quarterback Tom Brady in Tampa. New England’s 2018 first round pick Isaiah Wynn blocked for Brady as left tackle. Now, Brady would have another first round pick out of Georgia as his left tackle in Andrew Thomas.

Feb 26, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Andrew Thomas speaks to the media during the 2020 NFL Combine.  Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Beyond Thomas, the biggest Georgia-related shocker of the USA TODAY NFL mock draft is that D’Andre Swift didn’t get picked in the first round. Altogether no running back was selected in the first round.

The NFL is off and on about valuing the running back position. Swift is a first round talent, but what team will value his position enough to select him? First round running backs traditionally make an immediate impact.

Swift is one of the best receiving backs in the draft, so that aspect of his game is league-ready. Swift has frequently been mocked to the Miami Dolphins at the 18th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Will that be the case come late April?

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Twitter reacts as SEC cancels G-Day, all SEC spring scrimmages

The SEC announced that it will be cancelling all spring scrimmages, including Georgia football’s G-Day

Amid concerns regarding COVID-19, the Southeastern Conference has canceled play for all remaining winter and spring sports.

This includes out-of conference contests, SEC championship tournaments, and each school’s spring football scrimmage. No football program will host a pro day for its NFL prospects.

For college football fans, they kept their fingers crossed in hopes that spring games would be played as scheduled. However, we all knew that was a long shot.

At the end of the day, it’s just a scrimmage. But for the players, fans and coaches, oftentimes it’s much more than that.

For some fans, spring games are the only Georgia games they can attend in person, given the free admission into the event.

For the coaches, the spring scrimmage is not terribly instrumental in determining depth charts as they have multiple scrimmages throughout the offseason. But what they will be missing out on is an opportunity to get big-time recruits on campus and show them a good time. On the bright side, it’s an even playing field across the conference seeing as how all spring games have been called off.

And for a large number of the players, this was going to be their final G-Day, an event that many of them look forward to. It’s also a chance for the freshmen to begin making a name for themselves among the DawgNation. That will have to wait until fall.

With the SEC confirming what we had all suspected for the last week, Georgia fans took to Twitter to express their sadness over the situation.

 

SEC cancels all remaining competitions, includes spring football games

Conference commissioner Greg Sankey made the necessary decision. It just makes everything else seem even worse somehow.

Amid concerns regarding COVID-19, the Southeastern Conference has canceled play for all remaining winter and spring sports.

This includes out-of conference contests, SEC championship tournaments, and each school’s spring football scrimmage. No football program will host a pro day for its NFL prospects.

Conference commissioner Greg Sankey made the necessary decision. It just makes everything else seem even worse somehow.

“This is a difficult day for all of us, and I am especially disappointed for our student athletes. The health and well-being of our entire conference community is an ongoing priority for the SEC as we continue to monitor developments and information about the COVID-19 virus.”

As per the SEC’s official statement:

“Team and individual practices, meetings and other organized gatherings, whether required or voluntary, remain suspended through at least April 15.”

For more into how the global health pandemic affects the world of college sports:

Georgia football produces positive video amid coronavirus pandemic

Finebaum: NCAA president Emmert’s handling of cancellations “inexcusable”

Coronavirus forces NCAA to make big decisions regarding eligibility, recruiting

SEC cancels its men’s basketball tournament due to coronavirus

NCAA grants spring season athletes an extra year of eligibility

Will Georgia football cancel G-Day due to coronavirus?

Georgia football Pro Day postponed amid coronavirus outbreak

Athens-Clarke County announces local state of emergency

The proposed curfew was briefly revised to be 7:00 p.m. but has since been approved to be imposed at the original 9:00 p.m. limit.

The University of Georgia community is panicking following three confirmed COVID-19 cases in Athens-Clarke County. County officials drafted emergency plans for a city-wide 9:00 p.m. curfew.

The proposed curfew was briefly revised to be 7:00 p.m. but has since been approved to be imposed at the original 9:00 p.m. limit.

None of the five bordering counties (Barrow, Jackson, Madison, Oconee, Oglethorpe) has a confirmed case.

Following the NCAA’s ordered cancellation of all winter and spring sports, Clarke county residents like myself now have more pressing concerns than whether or not G-Day is still on in a few weeks.

To paint a picture of what it’s like in Athens, a town with a population density of 1,038 people per square mile:

I’ve seen neither paper towels nor toilet paper on store shelves in six days. I can’t remember the last time I encountered disinfectant wipes or hand sanitizer. I saw about three loaves of sliced bread and maybe half a dozen baguettes at my local grocery last night. I drove to four stores before I found a dozen eggs.

My friends who work in UGA offices haven’t been able to work for about two weeks. They’re concerned, rightfully so, about how they will pay their bills this month.

My bank is now drive-through only and hasn’t guaranteed if they’ll stay open this week.

Almost all restaurants, if not closed, are drive-through or takeout only.

Heads turn in any public space in which a cough or sneeze is overheard.

The University of Georgia has yet to provide an update on when campus activities will resume. Nobody can predict a timeline of when all of this will blow over, but the lack of update remains disheartening.

For other inquiries into how the global health pandemic affects the world of college sports:

Georgia football produces positive video amid coronavirus pandemic

Finebaum: NCAA president Emmert’s handling of cancellations “inexcusable”

Coronavirus forces NCAA to make big decisions regarding eligibility, recruiting

SEC cancels its men’s basketball tournament due to coronavirus

NCAA grants spring season athletes an extra year of eligibility

Will Georgia football cancel G-Day due to coronavirus?

Georgia football Pro Day postponed amid coronavirus outbreak

Georgia football produces positive video amid coronavirus pandemic

Georgia football and head coach Kirby Smart released a video message urging the local community to stay cautious regarding COVID-19. 

Amid health concerns not limited locally Georgia football and head coach Kirby Smart released a video message urging the local community to stay cautious regarding COVID-19.

Smart and his family traveled outside the country recently and were required to self-quarantine. UGA Athletic Director Greg McGarity confirmed that a 14-day quarantine applies to all employees of the school’s athletic department who traveled outside of the United States for recent weeks.

Smart further urged the University of Georgia community to take health precaution seriously in a video message.

Athens-Clarke County has three confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of March 16.

County officials originally drafted plans for an Athens-wide 9:00 p.m. curfew. Earlier this evening, the proposed curfew was revised to 7:00 p.m. and has yet to be approved.

For other inquiries into how the global health pandemic affects the world of college sports:

Finebaum: NCAA president Emmert’s handling of cancellations “inexcusable”

Coronavirus forces NCAA to make big decisions regarding eligibility, recruiting

SEC cancels its men’s basketball tournament due to coronavirus

NCAA grants spring season athletes an extra year of eligibility

Will Georgia football cancel G-Day due to coronavirus?

Georgia football Pro Day postponed amid coronavirus outbreak

Finebaum: NCAA president Emmert’s handling of cancellations “inexcusable”

Cancellation was always going to be the safe decision, but the NCAA’s lack of communication left conference leaders in the dark.

Last week, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey appeared on The Paul Finebaum Show to disclose that he learned secondhand of NCAA President Mark Emmert’s decision to cancel spring and winter sports amid COVID-19 concerns.

As per Sankey, he learned of the cancellation from a journalist. He received no prior notification from NCAA officials.

Though it was always going to be the safe decision to make, the communication (or lack thereof) related to the NCAA’s cancellation plans left conference leaders in the dark.

Following Sankey’s revelation, Finebaum, in an appearance on Birmingham’s WJOX, let loose on his perceptions of the issue.

“I know this is the wrong time to make absolute statements but I’m going to make one anyway. That moment was the end of the NCAA as we know it. It may have power in existence for some times but that was an existential moment in the history of the NCAA where knowing the commissioners like we do, they are going to band together at some point, when the storm clears, and are going to say, ‘You know what, we’re not going to take that anymore.’”

Finebaum continued regarding the communication breakdown:

“For Mark Emmert, not to have more consultation with the people that feed the system was inexcusable. And what was interesting is we all praised him on Wednesday afternoon, ‘What a great decision to go ahead and announce that there would be no fans (for the 2020 NCAA Tournament)’ and in the moment it did look good, but once again no consultation with anyone.”

The necessary precautions for the general public’s safety never came into question for Finebaum.

“Quit praising him for making the right call…it wasn’t a difficult call.”

He concluded:

“Let’s not give him too much credit or give anyone too much credit. This was this a domino effect, which we all know was caused by the NBA (being the first major American sporting league to suspend play due to coronavirus concerns).”

For other inquiries into how the global health pandemic affects the world of college sports:

Coronavirus forces NCAA to make big decisions regarding eligibility, recruiting

SEC cancels its men’s basketball tournament due to coronavirus

NCAA grants spring season athletes an extra year of eligibility

Will Georgia football cancel G-Day due to coronavirus?

Georgia football Pro Day postponed amid coronavirus outbreak

Which UGA o-lineman has most to gain this spring?

With so many starting spots available, who will offensive line coach Matt Luke turn to during his inaugural season in Athens?

Following the departure of former offensive line coach Sam Pittman, the new head coach at the University of Arkansas, multiple Bulldogs he recruited to the University of Georgia followed suit.

Tackle Isaiah Wilson, a redshirt sophomore, declared early for the NFL Draft. Fellow tackle and projected first round pick Andrew Thomas did as well following his junior season. Relatively surprisingly, guard Solomon Kindley made the same decision despite qualifying for a redshirt senior season.

Cade Mays, the first Georgia Bulldog since Jonas Jennings to play all five OL positions in red and black, transferred to Tennessee to play with his younger brother in Knoxville for their father’s alma mater.

Center Trey Hill and guard/tackle Ben Cleveland are the only holdovers to start on the Bulldogs’ offensive line. Both players are entering their final season of eligibility.

With so many starting spots available, who will offensive line coach Matt Luke turn to during his inaugural season in Athens?

Xavier Truss:

Assuming Ben Cleveland gets early reps at right tackle (if not right guard), the left tackle spot will be wide open and thus attainable for the redshirt freshman Truss. At six-foot-seven and 330 pounds, he’s got the length and mass necessary to protect right-handed grad transfer QB Jamie Newman’s blindside. Combine that with the motor and footwork necessary to facilitate outside run plays and he may just be the Dawgs’ best fit at LT.

Warren Ericson:

Following injuries and the several aforementioned early NFL Draft declarations, Ericson started at right guard in January’s Sugar Bowl win over Baylor. In 2020, the redshirt sophomore may have to rotate behind seniors Cleveland and Justin Shaffer at either of the guard positions, but can put himself in a good position to secure solid substitute reps before Cleveland and Shaffer exhaust their eligibility. Matt Luke clearly sees something in Ericson.

Warren McClendon:

The younger of the OL’s two Warrens, McClendon shares with Ericson ample opportunity to break into the starting lineup. With both tackle spots ripe for the taking, McClendon can compete with Truss at left tackle, but seems more suited for right tackle as his size. The cousin of former Georgia running back Bryan McClendon saw limited action in 2019 but has the skills and build to impose his will upon SEC defenders in 2020.

Justin Shaffer:

Shaffer has patiently waited his turn to start on the Bulldogs’ offensive line, and an untimely injury extended that timeline. He made his first career start against Tennessee and started every play of the game. In his start against South Carolina, a neck injury sidelined Shaffer for the remainder of the regular season. After having fully recovered from his injury, he’s deserved his time to show out in the trenches for the Dawgs and is expected to be a mainstay on Georgia’s 2020 offensive line.

What have we learned from Georgia football alumni at the NFL Combine?

In which we compile all of this week’s posts pertaining to former Bulldogs at this week’s NFL Scouting Combine

For those who can’t focus the ideal amount of attention to Georgia football news, I’ll compile some of this week’s posts pertaining to former Bulldogs at the NFL Scouting Combine:

Brian Herrien provides a recollection of Nick Chubb’s encouragement.

Both of Georgia’s invited tailbacks were faster than Florida’s only invited tailback.

D’Andre Swift proved speedier than his two most famous former teammates.

J.R. Reed can do it all.

Charlie Woerner is a man among boys.

In other news:

The basketball Bulldogs stuck out a nervous victory over Arkansas sealed by an Anthony Edwards dunk.

The baseball Bulldogs embarrassed Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Fewer than twenty hours prior, Scott Stricklin’s Bulldogs edged out the Yellow Jackets by a score of six to five.

D’Andre Swift outran former teammates Chubb and Michel at NFL Combine

Though not yet a pro, D’Andre Swift has a leg up (so to speak) on each aforementioned Bulldog teammate.

Former Georgia football tailback D’Andre Swift spent only one season in Athens alongside current NFL standouts Nick Chubb and Sony Michel.

NFL cameras and radar show that, in terms of speed, Swift is one step ahead.

To provide another trite observation: Swift is swift.

At this year’s NFL Scouting Combine, Swift dashed 40 yards in 4.49 seconds, outrunning Chubb’s 4.53 and Michel’s 4.54 recorded during 2018’s event.

Upon their respective departures from the University of Georgia, all three players received an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine. Both of Swift’s former teammates and current mentors were selected within the first two rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft.

He outran the footsteps he was hoping to follow. In terms of draft order, he can do it again.

Swift, like Brian Herrien, had the opportunity to learn from some of Georgia’s best.

Though not yet a pro, D’Andre Swift has a leg up (so to speak) on each aforementioned Bulldog teammate.