Georgia Bulldogs: Brandon Burrows
Editor’s note: Our DawgNation post-spring positional analysis continues this week after focusing on the offense last week. Today we examine the outside linebackers:
Returning players/stats: Jordan Jenkins, So. (Six starts in 2012, 31 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery); Chase Vasser, Sr. (Two starts, 19 tackles, four TFL, 1 FF); T.J. Stripling, Sr. (Eight tackles, one TFL, one sack, one FF); Brandon Burrows, Jr. (No tackles); Josh Dawson, So. (five tackles, 1.5 TFL); James DeLoach, So. (four tackles)
Newcomers: Davin Bellamy, Fr. (ESPN’s No. 299 overall prospect, No. 25 defensive end. Expected to enroll this summer); Leonard Floyd, Fr. (The four-star prospect had no position rating as a player from Hargrave Military Academy. Expected to enroll this summer); Shaun McGee (No. 43 DE. Expected to enroll this summer.)
Returning players/stats: Jordan Jenkins, So. (Six starts in 2012, 31 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery); Chase Vasser, Sr. (Two starts, 19 tackles, four TFL, 1 FF); T.J. Stripling, Sr. (Eight tackles, one TFL, one sack, one FF); Brandon Burrows, Jr. (No tackles); Josh Dawson, So. (five tackles, 1.5 TFL); James DeLoach, So. (four tackles)
Newcomers: Davin Bellamy, Fr. (ESPN’s No. 299 overall prospect, No. 25 defensive end. Expected to enroll this summer); Leonard Floyd, Fr. (The four-star prospect had no position rating as a player from Hargrave Military Academy. Expected to enroll this summer); Shaun McGee (No. 43 DE. Expected to enroll this summer.)
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
UGA spring preview: 5 positions to watch 
February, 28, 2013
Feb 28
7:00
AM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- Coaches always emphasize the importance of competition during spring practice, and there will certainly be more than enough at Georgia once the Bulldogs start spring drills on March 2.
The competition on the defensive side of the ball will be the story of the spring, as coordinator Todd Grantham and company work to find replacements for the 12 departed regulars who figured heavily into the Bulldogs’ defensive plans last fall.
Here are five positions that bear close watching this spring:
The competition on the defensive side of the ball will be the story of the spring, as coordinator Todd Grantham and company work to find replacements for the 12 departed regulars who figured heavily into the Bulldogs’ defensive plans last fall.
Here are five positions that bear close watching this spring:
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia’s 2010 football recruiting class has suffered further attrition now that outside linebacker Dexter Morant left the team.
UGA sports information director Claude Felton confirmed on Monday morning that Morant has “left the university due to academic considerations.”
Morant is officially the eighth member of Georgia’s 19-man 2010 signing class -- joining tailback Ken Malcome, safety Jakar Hamilton, cornerback Derek Owens, linebacker Demetre Baker, offensive lineman Brent Benedict, defensive end Jalen Fields and receiver Lonnie Outlaw -- who either failed to qualify academically, transferred or who has been dismissed outright. Meanwhile, offensive lineman Kolton Houston has yet to play in a game and linebacker Brandon Burrows made a limited college debut just last fall.
ESPN rated Morant as a three-star prospect and the nation’s No. 75 defensive end when he signed with the Bulldogs. However, he was frequently set back by injuries at Georgia and never actually appeared in a game in three seasons.
Morant quit the team minutes before his first practice in 2010, with Coach Mark Richt reporting that he “just felt like he lost the desire to play.” He returned to the team four days later.
UGA sports information director Claude Felton confirmed on Monday morning that Morant has “left the university due to academic considerations.”
Morant is officially the eighth member of Georgia’s 19-man 2010 signing class -- joining tailback Ken Malcome, safety Jakar Hamilton, cornerback Derek Owens, linebacker Demetre Baker, offensive lineman Brent Benedict, defensive end Jalen Fields and receiver Lonnie Outlaw -- who either failed to qualify academically, transferred or who has been dismissed outright. Meanwhile, offensive lineman Kolton Houston has yet to play in a game and linebacker Brandon Burrows made a limited college debut just last fall.
ESPN rated Morant as a three-star prospect and the nation’s No. 75 defensive end when he signed with the Bulldogs. However, he was frequently set back by injuries at Georgia and never actually appeared in a game in three seasons.
Morant quit the team minutes before his first practice in 2010, with Coach Mark Richt reporting that he “just felt like he lost the desire to play.” He returned to the team four days later.
To gear up for 2013 national signing day, DawgNation's Radi Nabulsi is breaking down every commitment in the Bulldogs' 2013 recruiting class.
Vitals: Defensive end Shaun McGee, Lawrenceville, Ga./Brookwood | 6-foot-2, 235 pounds
Committed: July 16, 2012
Vitals: Defensive end Shaun McGee, Lawrenceville, Ga./Brookwood | 6-foot-2, 235 pounds
Committed: July 16, 2012
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Malcome's tough runs make late impact
October, 24, 2012
10/24/12
10:13
PM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
Dak Dillon/US PresswireKen Malcome has turned into a closer of sorts for the Bulldogs, as he's been given key fourth-quarter carries the last two games.Although freshmen Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall have replaced Malcome atop the tailback depth chart, the sophomore received the bulk of his carries on Georgia’s final drive in both games and largely delivered positive results.
Malcome ran five times for a team-high 45 yards on the Bulldogs’ final possession in a loss against South Carolina, scoring his team’s only touchdown on a 3-yard burst with 1:55 left in the game. And last week against Kentucky, six of Malcome’s seven total carries (for a total of 19 yards) came on the Bulldogs’ final drive, when they needed to burn time off the clock while clinging to a 29-24 lead.
“Usually at that time of the game, he’s usually a little bit fresher than the other two and he is a very good downhill runner,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “As you observe him, he’s usually always getting yards after contact and even when nothing’s there, he seems to be pushing the pile and finishing runs and he’s done a good job of securing the football. Those are things that you want at that time of the game.”
That’s the role Richard Samuel played on the Bulldogs’ game-winning drive last season against Florida -- Georgia’s opponent on Saturday -- but Richt does not predict Samuel taking carries away from Malcome or one of the freshmen in Saturday’s rematch.
“At the tailback position, I don’t know,” Richt said. “We’ve got our rotation right now and I doubt it would change much, although Richard’s always ready to play at the tailback or the fullback for that matter.”
Richt: 'I'm a Florida fan this weekend'
October, 15, 2012
10/15/12
9:46
PM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
Jake Roth/US PresswireGeorgia coach Mark Richt freely admitted that he'll be rooting for Will Muschamp and the Florida Gators when they face South Carolina on Saturday.He’ll be rooting for the hated Florida Gators to win on Saturday when they host South Carolina.
“I admit it, I’m a Florida fan this weekend,” Richt joked.
That continues a trend from last week when Richt publicly rooted for LSU, tweeting “I’m a big-time LSU fan this week. Geaux Tigers!” on Thursday. And LSU did Richt a favor, knocking South Carolina from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 23-21 victory in Baton Rouge.
Going back one season, three players have left the Georgia football team only to return days later. This week linebacker Brandon Burrows followed in the steps of running back Ken Malcome and safety Marc Deas when he returned to Athens after asking for a transfer. Some players have transferred and not returned, while others have been dismissed for disciplinary issues. Add to those players the ones who have left early for the NFL or failed to qualify academically and Georgia heads into the season with just 75 players on scholarship. Five of those players are former walk-ons. With that in mind, we asked our staff and our readers the following DawgNation Roundtable discussion question:
"What in your opinion has led Georgia to having only 75 players on scholarship?"
David Ching: Georgia easily could have remedied its roster shortages under old recruiting rules that allowed a team to sign as many players as it wanted as long as it stayed under the 85-player limit. Over-signing rules introduced another element to the equation that made determining the size of signing classes more difficult. That made an impact at Georgia, as the Bulldogs have lost several players from their last several signing classes for various reasons (academic, disciplinary, playing time).
"What in your opinion has led Georgia to having only 75 players on scholarship?"
David Ching: Georgia easily could have remedied its roster shortages under old recruiting rules that allowed a team to sign as many players as it wanted as long as it stayed under the 85-player limit. Over-signing rules introduced another element to the equation that made determining the size of signing classes more difficult. That made an impact at Georgia, as the Bulldogs have lost several players from their last several signing classes for various reasons (academic, disciplinary, playing time).
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Five-star linebacker Reuben Foster (Auburn, Ala./Auburn) might not be in attendance at Friday's Dawg Night in Athens, Ga., but the University of Georgia has a chance to take a big step in restocking its inside linebacker corps as ESPN 300 prospect Tim Kimbrough Jr. (Indianapolis/Warren Central) will be back in town.
As a junior, Kimbrough made 176 tackles, 27 tackles for loss 7.5 sacks, as well as two forced fumbles.
More than 20 programs have offered the linebacker, who first visited Athens in March. The Bulldogs offered Kimbrough (6-foot-1, 227 pounds) on the spot. With a return trip just days away, the No. 11 inside linebacker prospect in the country has UGA high on his list.
As a junior, Kimbrough made 176 tackles, 27 tackles for loss 7.5 sacks, as well as two forced fumbles.
More than 20 programs have offered the linebacker, who first visited Athens in March. The Bulldogs offered Kimbrough (6-foot-1, 227 pounds) on the spot. With a return trip just days away, the No. 11 inside linebacker prospect in the country has UGA high on his list.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Georgia redshirt sophomore inside linebacker Brandon Burrows has decided to return to the Bulldogs after leaving the team last Thursday.
“I had the opportunity when I was away to look at it from the outside,” Burrows said. “I prayed about it a lot today. Then Coach [Rodney] Garner gave me a call and we talked about things. I realized I had not given myself a chance to compete. This will be the first year that I will be healthy and not redshirting.”
After talking to Garner, Burrows then called the Bulldogs’ head coach.
“I called Coach [Mark] Richt and I am inexplicably thankful for him taking me back because he could have just as easily said no,” Burrows said. “I really am thankful and that is a huge part of this.”
According to a statement issued by the school last Thursday, Burrows had decided to leave in an attempt to find playing time elsewhere.
“I came out of high school playing the defensive end position in a 4-3 defense which is what I truly love,” said Burrows. “The coaching change here led to a 3-4 defense. I have worked with that transition but decided that I want to get back to playing defensive end.”
His change of heart will help Georgia since the team is down to 75 players on scholarship.
“I had the opportunity when I was away to look at it from the outside,” Burrows said. “I prayed about it a lot today. Then Coach [Rodney] Garner gave me a call and we talked about things. I realized I had not given myself a chance to compete. This will be the first year that I will be healthy and not redshirting.”
After talking to Garner, Burrows then called the Bulldogs’ head coach.
“I called Coach [Mark] Richt and I am inexplicably thankful for him taking me back because he could have just as easily said no,” Burrows said. “I really am thankful and that is a huge part of this.”
According to a statement issued by the school last Thursday, Burrows had decided to leave in an attempt to find playing time elsewhere.
“I came out of high school playing the defensive end position in a 4-3 defense which is what I truly love,” said Burrows. “The coaching change here led to a 3-4 defense. I have worked with that transition but decided that I want to get back to playing defensive end.”
His change of heart will help Georgia since the team is down to 75 players on scholarship.
According to an announcement Thursday by Mark Richt, Georgia redshirt sophomore inside linebacker Brandon Burrows has decided to transfer in a quest to find more playing time.
“I came out of high school playing the defensive end position in a 4-3 defense which is what I truly love,” Burrows said. “The coaching change here led to a 3-4 defense. I have worked with that transition but decided that I want to get back to playing defensive end. I think another program may give me the best opportunity to succeed at that. I’m eternally gratefully for the opportunity Coach Richt has given me at UGA and for the fact that he gave me an unconditional release. I know I’ll be hard-pressed to find a group of coaches and players that will develop into the leaders and friends that I have known here in Athens.”
Burrows, a four-star recruit from 2010 who has a history of injuries dating back to his senior season at Walton High School, missed the 2011 season with a shoulder injury. He redshirted as a freshman, so he never played a down for the Bulldogs.
“Brandon is an outstanding person, student-athlete and has a wonderful family,” Richt said. “We’ve enjoyed having him as part of our program and will provide whatever assistance we can in his transition. I am completely understanding of his decision and wish him nothing but the best.”
Burrows departure leaves the Bulldogs with 74 players on scholarship, which includes five former walk-ons who were granted scholarships last year.
“I came out of high school playing the defensive end position in a 4-3 defense which is what I truly love,” Burrows said. “The coaching change here led to a 3-4 defense. I have worked with that transition but decided that I want to get back to playing defensive end. I think another program may give me the best opportunity to succeed at that. I’m eternally gratefully for the opportunity Coach Richt has given me at UGA and for the fact that he gave me an unconditional release. I know I’ll be hard-pressed to find a group of coaches and players that will develop into the leaders and friends that I have known here in Athens.”
Burrows, a four-star recruit from 2010 who has a history of injuries dating back to his senior season at Walton High School, missed the 2011 season with a shoulder injury. He redshirted as a freshman, so he never played a down for the Bulldogs.
“Brandon is an outstanding person, student-athlete and has a wonderful family,” Richt said. “We’ve enjoyed having him as part of our program and will provide whatever assistance we can in his transition. I am completely understanding of his decision and wish him nothing but the best.”
Burrows departure leaves the Bulldogs with 74 players on scholarship, which includes five former walk-ons who were granted scholarships last year.
A few weeks into summer provides the perfect time to get out the yearbook and look at what classmates wrote on the blank pages. After reading all the invitations to “Stay cool!” and “Let’s hang out!” one invariably turns to the awards section. In this week’s DawgNation Roundtable discussion the DN staff, with input from one UGA fan, is giving out the Georgia Bulldogs’ version of the senior awards. But we are not limited to the seniors -- we have opened up nominations to the entire team.
Radi Nabulsi: Jarvis Jones. He will be a first-round draft pick, and he is disciplined and wiser than his years suggest.
Most likely to succeed
David Ching: Ty Frix. Believe it or not, Frix -- who graduated in May -- is the only biomedical engineering major on the football team.Radi Nabulsi: Jarvis Jones. He will be a first-round draft pick, and he is disciplined and wiser than his years suggest.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Around the Hedges in 80 Days: B. Burrows
June, 24, 2012
6/24/12
8:31
AM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
Sixty-nine days remain until Georgia kicks off its season opener against Buffalo on Sept. 1. In the days counting down to the opener, DawgNation will profile, with our “Around the Hedges in 80 Days” series, a Bulldogs player we expect to make an impact. We will review each player’s career thus far and project his long-term potential as we progress through our alphabetical list, from center David Andrews to receiver Rantavious Wooten.
69. Brandon Burrows
Fall forecast: Few scholarship players on Georgia’s roster are more of a wild card than Burrows, who redshirted in 2010, missed all of last season following shoulder surgery and dealt with another injury that limited his involvement in spring practice. The redshirt sophomore linebacker enters preseason practice as a third-team inside linebacker behind Mike Gilliard and Amarlo Herrera, but it is difficult to predict how much of an impact he will make this fall considering he hasn’t been on the field since the 2011 G-Day game.
69. Brandon Burrows
Sophomore, Inside linebacker
6-foot-3, 240 pounds
Fall forecast: Few scholarship players on Georgia’s roster are more of a wild card than Burrows, who redshirted in 2010, missed all of last season following shoulder surgery and dealt with another injury that limited his involvement in spring practice. The redshirt sophomore linebacker enters preseason practice as a third-team inside linebacker behind Mike Gilliard and Amarlo Herrera, but it is difficult to predict how much of an impact he will make this fall considering he hasn’t been on the field since the 2011 G-Day game.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia’s defensive players have already started preparing for their Sept. 8 game at Missouri. They just might not know it yet.
Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said after Thursday’s practice that the coaching staff is already introducing some of the defensive concepts they will use when they prepare for Missouri’s high-scoring offense in the fall. They’re working in more general terms right now.
“We’ve already worked on some of the things that we’re going to see,” Grantham said. “Players might not necessarily know that with what we’re doing, but I’ve always been a believer in [wanting] to develop during the spring, but at the same time you want to take a look at some things you may want to do against teams coming up early. We’ll do that now, and what we’ll do is we’ll come back in the fall and start the same process with training camp as far as developing guys, getting guys comfortable at whatever spots they need to, but also working on a couple opponents that we’ll see early in the year, to get ready.
Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said after Thursday’s practice that the coaching staff is already introducing some of the defensive concepts they will use when they prepare for Missouri’s high-scoring offense in the fall. They’re working in more general terms right now.
“We’ve already worked on some of the things that we’re going to see,” Grantham said. “Players might not necessarily know that with what we’re doing, but I’ve always been a believer in [wanting] to develop during the spring, but at the same time you want to take a look at some things you may want to do against teams coming up early. We’ll do that now, and what we’ll do is we’ll come back in the fall and start the same process with training camp as far as developing guys, getting guys comfortable at whatever spots they need to, but also working on a couple opponents that we’ll see early in the year, to get ready.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia’s players practiced before a larger crowd than normal Saturday as the Bulldogs’ coaching staff hosted dozens of high school prospects and family members for junior day.
The onlookers included a number of high schoolers who are mulling offers like linebacker Johnny O’Neal (Dublin, Ga./West Laurens), offensive lineman Josh Cardiello (Buford, Ga./Buford) and receiver Demarcus Robinson (Fort Valley, Ga./Peach County), as well as Maryland offensive lineman Max Garcia, a Norcross, Ga., native who plans to transfer and is considering Georgia.
While the practice and the day’s other events allowed the coaching staff to show off their program, Saturday’s practice also gave some Bulldogs another chance to show themselves off to the coaching staff.
The onlookers included a number of high schoolers who are mulling offers like linebacker Johnny O’Neal (Dublin, Ga./West Laurens), offensive lineman Josh Cardiello (Buford, Ga./Buford) and receiver Demarcus Robinson (Fort Valley, Ga./Peach County), as well as Maryland offensive lineman Max Garcia, a Norcross, Ga., native who plans to transfer and is considering Georgia.
While the practice and the day’s other events allowed the coaching staff to show off their program, Saturday’s practice also gave some Bulldogs another chance to show themselves off to the coaching staff.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Ogletree poised to pack even more punch
March, 18, 2012
3/18/12
11:14
AM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
To get ready for the start of Georgia’s spring football practice Tuesday, DawgNation will do a position breakdown each day and feature one player to watch at that position. Today we look at the linebackers and junior Alec Ogletree.
ATHENS, Ga. -- One of the top stories heading into Georgia’s spring practice last year was how Alec Ogletree would fare after shifting from safety to inside linebacker.
We got a taste last season, and the results were impressive. But how much better can he get with a full season at the position?
ATHENS, Ga. -- One of the top stories heading into Georgia’s spring practice last year was how Alec Ogletree would fare after shifting from safety to inside linebacker.
We got a taste last season, and the results were impressive. But how much better can he get with a full season at the position?
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
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.