Georgia Bulldogs: Cordy Glenn
ATHENS, Ga. -- He came into Georgia’s spring practice as one of the most talked-about players on the Bulldogs’ roster and leaves having validated that buzz.
But Josh Harvey-Clemons was still stunned when Georgia’s coaching staff last week named him as the team’s most valuable defensive player for the spring.
“I was shocked. I would have never guessed that,” said Harvey-Clemons, wearing a wide grin after his Black team rallied to beat the Red 23-17 in Saturday’s G-Day game.
The rising sophomore strong safety figured that Sheldon Dawson, who intercepted three passes before injuring his hamstring and missing G-Day, or early enrollee Tray Matthews, whom teammates lauded for his hard hits in practice, would win the award.
“But I thank God they did give it to me,” he laughed.
It was an easy choice, said defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, because of the varying ways that Harvey-Clemons can impact a game. He is the Bulldogs’ starting strong safety in the base 3-4 defense, but can shift to nickelback and outside linebacker in other packages, forcing opponents to account for his whereabouts.
“There’s certain guys on your team that you look for explosive plays out of and I think he’s going to be one of those guys,” Grantham said.
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Radi Nabulsi/ESPNJosh Harvey-Clemons, listed as the starting strong safety, can move around on Georgia's defense. He was named the team's most valuable defensive player in spring practice.
“I was shocked. I would have never guessed that,” said Harvey-Clemons, wearing a wide grin after his Black team rallied to beat the Red 23-17 in Saturday’s G-Day game.
The rising sophomore strong safety figured that Sheldon Dawson, who intercepted three passes before injuring his hamstring and missing G-Day, or early enrollee Tray Matthews, whom teammates lauded for his hard hits in practice, would win the award.
“But I thank God they did give it to me,” he laughed.
It was an easy choice, said defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, because of the varying ways that Harvey-Clemons can impact a game. He is the Bulldogs’ starting strong safety in the base 3-4 defense, but can shift to nickelback and outside linebacker in other packages, forcing opponents to account for his whereabouts.
“There’s certain guys on your team that you look for explosive plays out of and I think he’s going to be one of those guys,” Grantham said.
ATHENS, Ga. -- With barely two weeks remaining until national signing day, this is a good time to not only project the futures of the respective prospects, but also look backward at players who entered college with modest expectations and performed solidly.
Let’s take a look at five Georgia “sleepers” since 2006 -- when ESPN first started its recruiting enterprise -- who exceeded our expectations after their arrival on campus.
Let’s take a look at five Georgia “sleepers” since 2006 -- when ESPN first started its recruiting enterprise -- who exceeded our expectations after their arrival on campus.
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By the numbers: UGA classes since 2006 
January, 18, 2013
Jan 18
7:00
AM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- Here’s a breakdown of Georgia’s last seven recruiting classes and what they managed to accomplish in college and beyond:
2006
ESPN top five classes: Florida, USC, Texas, Georgia, Notre Dame
Georgia’s ranking: 4
2006
ESPN top five classes: Florida, USC, Texas, Georgia, Notre Dame
Georgia’s ranking: 4
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Editor’s note: Georgia’s football season is at the halfway mark, and the Bulldogs will take this weekend off before resuming SEC play next Saturday at Kentucky. We'll take a look at a different position group each day this week and evaluate how it performed in the first half of the season in our DawgNation midseason report cards.
ATHENS, Ga. -- The public opinion of Georgia’s offensive line was, for a time, much more positive than it is today, after the Bulldogs’ numerous breakdowns led directly to a 35-7 loss at South Carolina.
Will Friend’s rebuilt line had been surprisingly effective in the first five games, paving the way for Georgia to rank among the nation’s most explosive offenses.
ATHENS, Ga. -- The public opinion of Georgia’s offensive line was, for a time, much more positive than it is today, after the Bulldogs’ numerous breakdowns led directly to a 35-7 loss at South Carolina.
Will Friend’s rebuilt line had been surprisingly effective in the first five games, paving the way for Georgia to rank among the nation’s most explosive offenses.
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Editor’s note: With Georgia set to open preseason camp on Aug. 2, DawgNation will break down each position group and the storylines to watch in August. We finish our look at the offense today with the offensive line after covering quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends earlier this week.
Perhaps the loudest questions related to Georgia’s potential shortcomings concern the offensive line -- and position coach Will Friend is making sure his players are aware of that trend. Bulldogs offensive coordinator Mike Bobo believes outsiders’ criticisms of the line’s capabilities has fueled the rebuilding group in its preparation for the upcoming season.
“I feel good about the group,” Bobo said. “I think there’s a closeness among them. They’re fighting together. You’ve got the whole world talking about them, how it’s up to them, so they’re bonding together and Coach Friend’s driving them and that makes them tighter. I think they’ll be ready to go this fall.”
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Around the Hedges in 80 Days: W. Dantzler
June, 28, 2012
6/28/12
8:11
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By
David Ching | ESPN.com
Sixty-five 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.
65. Watts Dantzler
Fall forecast: Several offensive linemen, including Dantzler, enter preseason practice in quite similar positions. Part of a big group of offensive linemen who signed last year -- Dantzler, center David Andrews and guard Hunter Long played last fall as true freshmen -- Dantzler figures to be part of Georgia’s offensive line rotation and could play either guard or tackle. He hasn’t claimed a starting spot yet, however, and will enter preseason practice as Kolton Houston’s backup at right tackle.
65. Watts Dantzler
Sophomore, Offensive line
6-foot-7, 310 pounds
Fall forecast: Several offensive linemen, including Dantzler, enter preseason practice in quite similar positions. Part of a big group of offensive linemen who signed last year -- Dantzler, center David Andrews and guard Hunter Long played last fall as true freshmen -- Dantzler figures to be part of Georgia’s offensive line rotation and could play either guard or tackle. He hasn’t claimed a starting spot yet, however, and will enter preseason practice as Kolton Houston’s backup at right tackle.
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Roundtable: Dawg set for most NFL props?
May, 23, 2012
5/23/12
9:01
AM ET
By DawgNation Staff | ESPN.com
Seven players from Georgia’s 2012 team were taken last month in the NFL draft, tying for the second-highest number of players drafted, behind Alabama’s eight. Considering that at least five players from the Georgia defense could have left early, the Bulldogs might then have led the nation in players taken. The DawgNation Roundtable this week focuses on the players who were drafted, and their potential NFL success.
“Of the Georgia players drafted, who do you think will have the most successful NFL career?”
David Ching: The most obvious here is Cordy Glenn, whose size and versatility should keep him in the NFL for a long time. There is a reason so many NFL draft analysts projected him as a possible first-round pick with the potential to become an All-Pro guard. Even if he plays right tackle in the league, the Buffalo Bills have a mainstay on their offensive line for years to come.
“Of the Georgia players drafted, who do you think will have the most successful NFL career?”
David Ching: The most obvious here is Cordy Glenn, whose size and versatility should keep him in the NFL for a long time. There is a reason so many NFL draft analysts projected him as a possible first-round pick with the potential to become an All-Pro guard. Even if he plays right tackle in the league, the Buffalo Bills have a mainstay on their offensive line for years to come.
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Several Dawgs await draft's final rounds
April, 27, 2012
4/27/12
11:07
PM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
Watch Saturday's Rounds 4-7 live on WatchESPN.com.
Day 2 of the NFL draft has come and gone with only one Georgia player -- offensive lineman Cordy Glenn -- being picked.
Projected by many draft experts as a first-round pick, Glenn slipped to the second round, where the Buffalo Bills grabbed him with the 41st pick. Former Bulldogs Brandon Boykin and Orson Charles both had hopes of landing in the second or third rounds, but neither player made it off the board by the end of the night.
Rounds 4-7 will begin Saturday at noon ET on ESPN, with Boykin, Charles and several other ex-Bulldogs hoping to hear their names called on the draft’s final day.
Center Ben Jones, punter Drew Butler, defensive tackle DeAngelo Tyson and kicker Blair Walsh are also among the potential ex-Bulldog draft picks. Several more should have the opportunity to sign deals with NFL clubs as undrafted free agents.
Day 2 of the NFL draft has come and gone with only one Georgia player -- offensive lineman Cordy Glenn -- being picked.
Projected by many draft experts as a first-round pick, Glenn slipped to the second round, where the Buffalo Bills grabbed him with the 41st pick. Former Bulldogs Brandon Boykin and Orson Charles both had hopes of landing in the second or third rounds, but neither player made it off the board by the end of the night.
Rounds 4-7 will begin Saturday at noon ET on ESPN, with Boykin, Charles and several other ex-Bulldogs hoping to hear their names called on the draft’s final day.
Center Ben Jones, punter Drew Butler, defensive tackle DeAngelo Tyson and kicker Blair Walsh are also among the potential ex-Bulldog draft picks. Several more should have the opportunity to sign deals with NFL clubs as undrafted free agents.
Offensive lineman Cordy Glenn became the first Georgia player selected in the NFL draft Friday night when the Buffalo Bills picked him 41st overall in the second round, which he described as "probably the happiest moment of my life."
Glenn admitted he was surprised that he lasted until the second round, but said he was pleased that he wound up with Buffalo, one of his favorite teams.
"I did actually," Glenn said. "But things happen for a reason. I am just happy to be with the Bills."
Glenn admitted he was surprised that he lasted until the second round, but said he was pleased that he wound up with Buffalo, one of his favorite teams.
"I did actually," Glenn said. "But things happen for a reason. I am just happy to be with the Bills."
No Georgia players were selected in Thursday’s first round of the NFL draft.
Former Bulldogs offensive lineman Cordy Glenn was one of 26 players who attended the draft at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, but is one of six remaining in the green room at the end of the night. Four offensive linemen -- USC's Matt Kalil, Stanford's David DeCastro, Iowa's Riley Reiff and Wisconsin's Kevin Zeitler -- were picked in the first round ahead of Glenn.
Most draft experts projected that Glenn would be a first-round pick, with ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranking him as the No. 14 overall prospect on his “Big Board.” Glenn is now the best available player remaining on Kiper’s board and is the second-best player left according to NFL Network expert Mike Mayock and ESPN's Todd McShay's rankings.
Glenn was clearly Georgia's best shot at becoming a first-round pick. Instead, for the fifth time in the last seven years, no Bulldog was selected in the first round.
Glenn -- along with former Georgia teammates Brandon Boykin, Orson Charles and Ben Jones -- will now wait to hear his name called Friday night in the second or third rounds.
Round 2 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. The draft will conclude with Rounds 4-7 starting at noon ET Saturday on ESPN.
Former Bulldogs offensive lineman Cordy Glenn was one of 26 players who attended the draft at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, but is one of six remaining in the green room at the end of the night. Four offensive linemen -- USC's Matt Kalil, Stanford's David DeCastro, Iowa's Riley Reiff and Wisconsin's Kevin Zeitler -- were picked in the first round ahead of Glenn.
Most draft experts projected that Glenn would be a first-round pick, with ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranking him as the No. 14 overall prospect on his “Big Board.” Glenn is now the best available player remaining on Kiper’s board and is the second-best player left according to NFL Network expert Mike Mayock and ESPN's Todd McShay's rankings.
Glenn was clearly Georgia's best shot at becoming a first-round pick. Instead, for the fifth time in the last seven years, no Bulldog was selected in the first round.
Glenn -- along with former Georgia teammates Brandon Boykin, Orson Charles and Ben Jones -- will now wait to hear his name called Friday night in the second or third rounds.
Round 2 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. The draft will conclude with Rounds 4-7 starting at noon ET Saturday on ESPN.
With an hour to go until the NFL draft begins, Georgia figures to have only one player hear his name called tonight during the first round.
Almost every top draft analyst has former Bulldogs offensive lineman Cordy Glenn going in the first round, typically somewhere in the mid to late first round.
However, Georgia figures to have several more players drafted between the second and seventh rounds on Friday and Saturday -- with cornerback Brandon Boykin, tight end Orson Charles and center Ben Jones figuring to be the next Bulldogs off the board.
Almost every top draft analyst has former Bulldogs offensive lineman Cordy Glenn going in the first round, typically somewhere in the mid to late first round.
However, Georgia figures to have several more players drafted between the second and seventh rounds on Friday and Saturday -- with cornerback Brandon Boykin, tight end Orson Charles and center Ben Jones figuring to be the next Bulldogs off the board.
Recruiting rewind: NFL draftees
April, 26, 2012
4/26/12
1:14
PM ET
By RecruitingNation Staff | ESPN.com
Recruiting Rewind
: Looking back at the top prospects in the NFL draft, including UGA's Cordy Glenn, reveals how far former top-notch recruits have come -- as well as how different college football could have been had some recruiting battles gone another way. ESPN's Todd McShay will have a final update on the first round Thursday morning in the hours leading up to the first overall pick, but here's a match-up of prospects to team needs up and down the board, which includes Georgia's Cordy Glenn going to Cleveland in the first round and Orson Charles heading just down the road to the Falcons in the third round.Scouts Inc.'s NFL draft cheat sheets
April, 25, 2012
4/25/12
2:18
PM ET
By DawgNation Staff | ESPN.com
Scouts Inc. breaks down the 2012 class in each position group, including the top prospects in each of the position-specific categories Scouts uses in evaluations, along with a listing of all draft-ready prospects, four-year combine averages, picks in Rounds 1-2, and three-year market trends for each position.
Offense
Quarterback
Running back
Wide receiver
Tight end
Offensive lineman
Defense
Defensive lineman
Linebacker
Defensive back
Offense
Quarterback
Running back
Wide receiver
Tight end
Offensive lineman
Defense
Defensive lineman
Linebacker
Defensive back
Todd McShay breaks down the various scenarios for all 32 first-round picks, including Georgia's Cordy Glenn, presently projected at No. 18 to San Diego. Some teams (Colts, Redskins, Bucs) have clear options, while numerous needs and possible trades present a slew of possibilities for others (Browns, Jags, Patriots, Chiefs, Jets, Chargers).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.