ATHENS, Ga. -- With Day 2 of Georgia’s spring practice in the books, Malcolm Mitchell’s transition to cornerback was the main subject reporters discussed Wednesday with the Bulldogs’ defensive players who participated in post-practice interviews.
Although Mitchell himself joked that he doesn’t know what he’s doing yet when it comes to executing Georgia’s defensive scheme -- “There’s so many calls, I don’t know what they’re talking about, but all the guys help me,” he said -- his teammates complimented the moonlighting receiver on the way he’s adjusting.
“It’s early, but Malcolm has learned a lot in the first three days we’ve been going over football,” rising sophomore cornerback Damian Swann said.
Although Mitchell himself joked that he doesn’t know what he’s doing yet when it comes to executing Georgia’s defensive scheme -- “There’s so many calls, I don’t know what they’re talking about, but all the guys help me,” he said -- his teammates complimented the moonlighting receiver on the way he’s adjusting.
“It’s early, but Malcolm has learned a lot in the first three days we’ve been going over football,” rising sophomore cornerback Damian Swann said.
ATHENS, Ga. -- Like thousands of college students his age, Georgia offensive lineman Watts Dantzler vacationed at Florida beaches during spring break.
Unlike all but a brave few, he made his way back to Athens on a Greyhound bus -- a nearly 16-hour journey that included sights the rising sophomore will struggle to unsee. So noteworthy was the trip that an amusing blog entry he posted chronicling the long ride went semi-viral, generating approximately 100,000 page views between Saturday, when he posted it, and Tuesday.
“I’ve gotten tons of calls and stuff about it,” said Dantzler, who lined up as the starting right tackle in Georgia’s first two spring practices. “The editor of the Red and Black [Georgia’s student newspaper] called me and said he wants me to start my own blog in the Red and Black. Tons of people have told me they want me to blog during the season, but I’m not going to do that. I’m just trying to focus on football.”
Unlike all but a brave few, he made his way back to Athens on a Greyhound bus -- a nearly 16-hour journey that included sights the rising sophomore will struggle to unsee. So noteworthy was the trip that an amusing blog entry he posted chronicling the long ride went semi-viral, generating approximately 100,000 page views between Saturday, when he posted it, and Tuesday.
“I’ve gotten tons of calls and stuff about it,” said Dantzler, who lined up as the starting right tackle in Georgia’s first two spring practices. “The editor of the Red and Black [Georgia’s student newspaper] called me and said he wants me to start my own blog in the Red and Black. Tons of people have told me they want me to blog during the season, but I’m not going to do that. I’m just trying to focus on football.”
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WR Rashad Mathis has Louisville offer 
March, 21, 2012
3/21/12
6:24
PM ET
By
Jamie Newberg | ESPN.com
Rashad Mathis (Valdosta, Ga./Valdwood), a two-way star and very good athlete from Georgia, plays wide receiver and safety.
“Rashad also plays a little quarterback for us,” Valwood coach Brannon Tidwell said. “But I see him more as a safety in college. He’s real rangy with long arms. He’s big for a safety, has very good ball skills and he will come up and strike you.”
According to Tidwell, Mathis has a scholarship offer from Louisville while several other teams are showing interest in varying degrees.
“Rashad also plays a little quarterback for us,” Valwood coach Brannon Tidwell said. “But I see him more as a safety in college. He’s real rangy with long arms. He’s big for a safety, has very good ball skills and he will come up and strike you.”
According to Tidwell, Mathis has a scholarship offer from Louisville while several other teams are showing interest in varying degrees.
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Aulden Bynum (Valdosta, Ga./Bynum) is one of the most sought after offensive tackle prospects from the Peach State.
“Just about everyone in the Southeast has offered him,” Bynum coach Brannon Tidwell said. “In fact Nebraska offered him [Tuesday]. Georgia, Auburn, Miami, South Carolina, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Georgia Tech and Louisville are some of the other schools that have offered.”
Bynum, now 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds, is a kid that keeps growing and growing.
“Just about everyone in the Southeast has offered him,” Bynum coach Brannon Tidwell said. “In fact Nebraska offered him [Tuesday]. Georgia, Auburn, Miami, South Carolina, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Georgia Tech and Louisville are some of the other schools that have offered.”
Bynum, now 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds, is a kid that keeps growing and growing.
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ESPN Insider KC Joyner explains the issues the Bulldogs will have to overcome if they expect to repeat as SEC East champs. Read more here.
Radi Nabulsi/ESPN.comIf anyone is capable of filling the colosall shoes of departed senior center Ben Jones, David Andrews (61) believes he is the O-lineman to do it.ATHENS, Ga. -- Perhaps no personnel group at Georgia will be watched more closely in the 2012 season than the Bulldogs’ offensive line, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Perhaps the scrutiny will create a greater sense of accountability within the large group of linemen competing for playing time.
“There’s a lot of pressure on us, but I think with a lot of pressure, it creates opportunity,” sophomore Watts Dantzler said after Tuesday’s first spring practice. “So I know a lot of guys, we’re looking at the situation like we’re excited about it and we’re going to come to work and find a group of guys.”
Georgia sophomore tailback Isaiah Crowell said he has two main goals this season.
One is to help his team win a national championship. The other is to win the Heisman Trophy -- a possibility he said is "real realistic."
The 2011 SEC Freshman of the Year, who rushed for 850 yards last season, spoke with several media members Tuesday evening after the Bulldogs' first spring practice. Here is what he had to say over the course of the entire eight-minute interview:
One is to help his team win a national championship. The other is to win the Heisman Trophy -- a possibility he said is "real realistic."
The 2011 SEC Freshman of the Year, who rushed for 850 yards last season, spoke with several media members Tuesday evening after the Bulldogs' first spring practice. Here is what he had to say over the course of the entire eight-minute interview:
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia’s baseball team didn’t need a history lesson from Coach David Perno concerning the recent series history against rival Georgia Tech, but he gave them one anyway.
Prior to Tuesday night’s game against the Yellow Jackets, Perno reminded the Bulldogs of how Tech’s recent series dominance -- the Jackets had won five of the last six meetings and four in a row at Foley Field -- could damage their postseason prospects if it continued.
“They know it. They heard it from me more than once and they heard it after the game,” Perno said. “No question, it’s a big series. It’s very important games. And it’s not just Georgia-Georgia Tech. You’re talking postseason implications, potentially [NCAA regional] host situations, so there’s a lot at stake in this series and that’s the way we like it.”
Prior to Tuesday night’s game against the Yellow Jackets, Perno reminded the Bulldogs of how Tech’s recent series dominance -- the Jackets had won five of the last six meetings and four in a row at Foley Field -- could damage their postseason prospects if it continued.
“They know it. They heard it from me more than once and they heard it after the game,” Perno said. “No question, it’s a big series. It’s very important games. And it’s not just Georgia-Georgia Tech. You’re talking postseason implications, potentially [NCAA regional] host situations, so there’s a lot at stake in this series and that’s the way we like it.”
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DawgNation staffer Radi Nabulsi joined ESPN's 960 the Ref this morning to preview the Bulldogs' spring camp which gets underway this afternoon. The discussion included top storylines such as the offensive line and the tailback rotation, a recruiting update on Robert Nkemdiche and whether Todd Grantham is immune to the elements.
Listen to the 20 minute segment here.
Listen to the 20 minute segment here.
Butler to walk-ons: Consistency is king
March, 20, 2012
3/20/12
12:57
PM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
To get ready for the start of Georgia’s spring football practice today, DawgNation will do a position breakdown each day and feature a player to watch in that personnel group. Today we look at special teams and walk-on kickers Jamie Lindley, Scott Eichler and Adam Erickson.
ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia signed punter Collin Barber and kicker Marshall Morgan to immediately step in and replace departed seniors Drew Butler and Blair Walsh -- two of the best ever to play the kicking positions at Georgia.
That hardly means that plan is set in stone, however. Just ask Butler.
ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia signed punter Collin Barber and kicker Marshall Morgan to immediately step in and replace departed seniors Drew Butler and Blair Walsh -- two of the best ever to play the kicking positions at Georgia.
That hardly means that plan is set in stone, however. Just ask Butler.
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To get ready for the start of Georgia’s spring football practice today, DawgNation has provided a position breakdown for each of the last nine days. In today’s final installment, we analyze the special teams.
2011 starters: P Drew Butler, 2011 senior (58 punts, 2,566 yards, 44.2 yards per punt); PK: Blair Walsh, 2011 senior (21-35 field goals, 46-46 PAT, 109 points); PR: Brandon Boykin, 2011 senior (14 returns, 180 yards, 1 TD, 12.9 yards per return); KOR: Boykin (38-850, 22.4 yards per return); SN: Ty Frix, Sr.
Key losses: Butler, Walsh, Boykin, PK Brandon Bogotay (1-2 FG, 6-6 PAT, 9 points)
The date has been set. The battle lines are drawn.
Defensive end Robert Nkemdiche (Loganville, Ga./Grayson), quite possibly the best prospect to come out of Georgia in the last decade, is ready to make his announcement.
Five lucky schools, Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, LSU and Ole Miss, are currently at the top, and DawgNation takes a look at why the University of Georgia might have a great shot to land the 6-foot-5, 270-pound recruit.
Although he had not mentioned any leaders this spring, Nkemdiche has taken visits to Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss, Clemson, and LSU in that order, and although reports have come out that say LSU currently leads Alabama for his commitment, Clemson, Georgia and Ole Miss are still very much in the mix.
Nkemdiche has a tentative date set for May 18, and the Bulldogs are still in the hunt because:
Defensive end Robert Nkemdiche (Loganville, Ga./Grayson), quite possibly the best prospect to come out of Georgia in the last decade, is ready to make his announcement.
Five lucky schools, Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, LSU and Ole Miss, are currently at the top, and DawgNation takes a look at why the University of Georgia might have a great shot to land the 6-foot-5, 270-pound recruit.
Although he had not mentioned any leaders this spring, Nkemdiche has taken visits to Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss, Clemson, and LSU in that order, and although reports have come out that say LSU currently leads Alabama for his commitment, Clemson, Georgia and Ole Miss are still very much in the mix.
Nkemdiche has a tentative date set for May 18, and the Bulldogs are still in the hunt because:
- Nkemdiche has been in weekly contact with coach Mark Richt, who has developed a strong relationship and earned the respect of the defensive end.
- Athens, being less than 40 miles away from Grayson, provides an opportunity for Nkemdiche to stay close to home and gives his friends and father the ability to easily visit him or come watch him play.
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Loganville (Ga.) Grayson defensive end Robert Nkemdiche, widely considered the top prospect for the class of 2013, will soon make his college decision, according to his high school coach.
Grayson coach Mickey Conn said Monday night that Nkemdiche, an Under Armour All-American, has scheduled to announce his decision on May 18 after the school’s spring game.
“That’s the tentative plan for now,” Conn said. “I don’t think that’s 100 percent for sure but Robert would like to get the decision done and out of the way.”
Grayson coach Mickey Conn said Monday night that Nkemdiche, an Under Armour All-American, has scheduled to announce his decision on May 18 after the school’s spring game.
“That’s the tentative plan for now,” Conn said. “I don’t think that’s 100 percent for sure but Robert would like to get the decision done and out of the way.”
Georgia’s defensive coordinator Todd Grantham was a guest on Atlanta’s ESPN Radio 680 The Fan today and discussed some of the topics related to the Bulldogs’ spring camp, which starts Tuesday. Here is a transcription of a few of his comments:
On the first priority for the Bulldogs’ D this spring
Grantham: We are going to give everyone that is on our defensive side of the ball an opportunity to earn a position, whether it be a starting position or a backup position. We will start out on Day 1, just like last year, going through basic fundamentals. We will move some guys around just to give us flexibility because last year we had about 11 different lineups for 14 ballgames and we had to move guys around then to get our best players on the field.
On how offensive coordinator Mike Bobo feels about Malcolm Mitchell moving from receiver to cornerback
On the first priority for the Bulldogs’ D this spring
Grantham: We are going to give everyone that is on our defensive side of the ball an opportunity to earn a position, whether it be a starting position or a backup position. We will start out on Day 1, just like last year, going through basic fundamentals. We will move some guys around just to give us flexibility because last year we had about 11 different lineups for 14 ballgames and we had to move guys around then to get our best players on the field.
On how offensive coordinator Mike Bobo feels about Malcolm Mitchell moving from receiver to cornerback
2014's James Boyd psyched about school
March, 19, 2012
3/19/12
2:31
PM ET
By
Jamie Newberg | ESPN.com
It’s an exciting time for James Boyd. Late last fall this 2014 quarterback prospect transferred from Fairburn (Ga.) Langston High School to College Park (Ga.) Banneker. He can’t wait for fall.
“Langston is a new school and only about four years old,” he said. “This is just a better opportunity for me at Banneker. I am going to be the starting quarterback there and can’t wait. It’s a very talented team.”
Boyd, 6-foot-2 and 177 pounds, has some talent himself. He was among several good prospects at his position at the National Underclassmen Combine Five-Star Showcase on Saturday in Zachary, La.
“Langston is a new school and only about four years old,” he said. “This is just a better opportunity for me at Banneker. I am going to be the starting quarterback there and can’t wait. It’s a very talented team.”
Boyd, 6-foot-2 and 177 pounds, has some talent himself. He was among several good prospects at his position at the National Underclassmen Combine Five-Star Showcase on Saturday in Zachary, La.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
David Ching
David Ching came to ESPN.com in 2011 after six years covering UGA for the Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer and Athens (Ga.) Banner-Herald. He lives in Athens. Email him at davidchingespn@gmail.com.
Radi Nabulsi
Radi Nabulsi joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Georgia for Rivals.com for four years and for the UGA Athletic Association since 1993. Nabulsi is a graduate of the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and lives in Athens. He can be reached at radinabulsiespn@gmail.com.
Kipp Adams
Kipp Adams joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering University of Georgia football and basketball recruiting for five years at Rivals.com. He lives in Sandy Springs, Ga., and enjoys spending time with his two sons. He can be reached at kippadamsespn@gmail.com.