Georgia Bulldogs: Leonard Floyd
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.)
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Spring practice has started for the Georgia Bulldogs, and all eyes are turning to the defense to see how that unit is going to shape up after losing so many starters from last year. Questions abound on what type of squad Georgia will field this fall and where the Bulldogs stand on the recruiting trail. We have taken some of those questions and added them to the weekly DawgNation Mailbag.
1thatguy: Who will be the surprise player of the season next year? Last year nobody at all talked about Todd Gurley before the season but he ended up being amazing. What players do you think have the potential to impress like that next year and have been under the radar?
Radi Nabulsi: That depends on what you mean by “under the radar.” Can a four-star recruit be considered a sleeper? Last fall we wrote extensively about Gurley and while few, if any, predicted he would lead all running backs in the SEC in total yards, it should not have been surprising that he started, considering how Gurley’s coaches and teammates raved about him. So let’s limit the scope to new signees, not in the ESPN 300, who could start next year. Those signees in the ESPN 300 are expected to contribute early so they would not really be a surprise.
1thatguy: Who will be the surprise player of the season next year? Last year nobody at all talked about Todd Gurley before the season but he ended up being amazing. What players do you think have the potential to impress like that next year and have been under the radar?
Radi Nabulsi: That depends on what you mean by “under the radar.” Can a four-star recruit be considered a sleeper? Last fall we wrote extensively about Gurley and while few, if any, predicted he would lead all running backs in the SEC in total yards, it should not have been surprising that he started, considering how Gurley’s coaches and teammates raved about him. So let’s limit the scope to new signees, not in the ESPN 300, who could start next year. Those signees in the ESPN 300 are expected to contribute early so they would not really be a surprise.
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Welcome to DawgNation's live coverage of national signing day for the Georgia Bulldogs. We'll be with you throughout the day providing up-to-the minute updates on Georgia's Class of 2013.
Watch live coverage on ESPNU | Talk signing day in "The Pound"
Follow the live blog after the jump.
ATHENS, Ga. -- With national signing day exactly two weeks from today, DawgNation looks ahead to what Georgia has coming and who the Bulldogs still need, and why.
Team needs: Georgia has a number of holes to fill, considering the defense is losing 10 players who started last season. All-American junior Jarvis Jones and two-year leading tackler Alec Ogletree have declared for the NFL draft, which means the incoming prospects will have to be ready to play early.
Also, consider that Georgia only signed one player for the secondary, one wide receiver and not one inside linebacker in the class of 2012. Those positions are a priority. The secondary is in special need of attention as both starting safeties and two starting cornerbacks were seniors this past season. The Bulldogs have decent depth at the outside linebacker spots but the SEC championship game proved Georgia needs help on the defensive line. Junior nose Kwame Geathers has also opted to leave early for the NFL, so Georgia needs to sign some quality prospects to fill in the defensive trench.
Team needs: Georgia has a number of holes to fill, considering the defense is losing 10 players who started last season. All-American junior Jarvis Jones and two-year leading tackler Alec Ogletree have declared for the NFL draft, which means the incoming prospects will have to be ready to play early.
Also, consider that Georgia only signed one player for the secondary, one wide receiver and not one inside linebacker in the class of 2012. Those positions are a priority. The secondary is in special need of attention as both starting safeties and two starting cornerbacks were seniors this past season. The Bulldogs have decent depth at the outside linebacker spots but the SEC championship game proved Georgia needs help on the defensive line. Junior nose Kwame Geathers has also opted to leave early for the NFL, so Georgia needs to sign some quality prospects to fill in the defensive trench.
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Georgia's Class of 2013 early enrollees were introduced to the rest of the team Sunday after meeting as a group earlier in the day. Eleven prospects and two signees will start classes Monday at Georgia and try to acclimate themselves to the rigors of college life. They will get a chance to learn and compete in spring camp starting in March, which should help the Bulldogs’ severely depleted roster.
One recruit that was expected to join the other Georgia commits was conspicuously absent at the meeting. Defensive end Naim Mustafaa (Alpharetta, Ga./Alpharetta) called DawgNation from the airport in Oklahoma City on Saturday to say that he would be enrolling early, albeit not at Georgia. Mustafaa had decided a “few days ago” to flip to the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
“I had to keep re-evaluating my decision and do what was best for me and I thought that with my body type, I would fit better in a 4-3 defense as a defensive end,” Mustafaa said.
One recruit that was expected to join the other Georgia commits was conspicuously absent at the meeting. Defensive end Naim Mustafaa (Alpharetta, Ga./Alpharetta) called DawgNation from the airport in Oklahoma City on Saturday to say that he would be enrolling early, albeit not at Georgia. Mustafaa had decided a “few days ago” to flip to the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
“I had to keep re-evaluating my decision and do what was best for me and I thought that with my body type, I would fit better in a 4-3 defense as a defensive end,” Mustafaa said.
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Position scouting report: Outside LBs 
December, 27, 2012
12/27/12
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David Ching | ESPN.com
Editor’s note: Over the next several weeks, we’ll take a look at each position on Georgia’s depth chart and project how it might look in the future. Today we examine Georgia’s outside linebackers.
Current two-deep depth chart:
Jarvis Jones (Jr.), Ramik Wilson (So.)
Jordan Jenkins (Fr.), Josh Dawson (Fr.)
Current two-deep depth chart:
Jarvis Jones (Jr.), Ramik Wilson (So.)
Jordan Jenkins (Fr.), Josh Dawson (Fr.)
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Atkins, Floyd will not enroll in January
December, 26, 2012
12/26/12
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Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
The Georgia coaching staff wanted to have at least 10 players enroll in January so the prospects could get a head start on their academics and go through spring camp. The Bulldogs have plenty of room thanks to graduation, transfers and dismissals.
But two players that defensive coordinator Todd Grantham expected to see in the Athens after the new year will not be enrolling until much later. Defensive end John Atkins and outside linebacker Leonard Floyd needed permission from the dean at Hargrave Military Academy to leave before classes ended to enroll at Georgia. They did not get it.
“The dean did not let us out in time so we will enroll in May,” Atkins told DawgNation in a text.
But two players that defensive coordinator Todd Grantham expected to see in the Athens after the new year will not be enrolling until much later. Defensive end John Atkins and outside linebacker Leonard Floyd needed permission from the dean at Hargrave Military Academy to leave before classes ended to enroll at Georgia. They did not get it.
“The dean did not let us out in time so we will enroll in May,” Atkins told DawgNation in a text.
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Position scouting report: Defensive end
December, 18, 2012
12/18/12
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David Ching | ESPN.com
Editor’s note: Over the next several weeks, we’ll take a look at each position on Georgia’s depth chart today and projecting how it might look in the future. Today we examine Georgia’s defensive ends:
• Current two-deep depth chart:
Garrison Smith (Jr.), John Jenkins (Sr.)
Cornelius Washington (Sr.), Ray Drew (So.)
• Current two-deep depth chart:
Garrison Smith (Jr.), John Jenkins (Sr.)
Cornelius Washington (Sr.), Ray Drew (So.)
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John Atkins wants points for Christmas
December, 17, 2012
12/17/12
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Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
All John Atkins wants for Christmas is two more points.
Atkins, the four-star defensive end from Thomson, Ga., is currently enrolled in Hargrave Military Academy while he awaits the results of his latest ACT. He needs a cumulative sectional score of 74 that --combined with his high school GPA -- will allow him to enroll at Georgia for the spring semester. Atkins and teammate Leonard Floyd of Eastman, Ga., were part of Georgia’s 2012 class but failed to qualify. Both want to enroll at Georgia in January.
“All I need is two points,” Atkins said. “I took it a week ago. I will find out on the 26th of December. I feel like I got it. The second time I took the test I went up two points to a 72. I needed a 74 to match my GPA. This time I felt like I did way better. That would be a good Christmas gift.”
Atkins, the four-star defensive end from Thomson, Ga., is currently enrolled in Hargrave Military Academy while he awaits the results of his latest ACT. He needs a cumulative sectional score of 74 that --combined with his high school GPA -- will allow him to enroll at Georgia for the spring semester. Atkins and teammate Leonard Floyd of Eastman, Ga., were part of Georgia’s 2012 class but failed to qualify. Both want to enroll at Georgia in January.
“All I need is two points,” Atkins said. “I took it a week ago. I will find out on the 26th of December. I feel like I got it. The second time I took the test I went up two points to a 72. I needed a 74 to match my GPA. This time I felt like I did way better. That would be a good Christmas gift.”
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ATHENS, Ga. -- As the dead period in college football approached, the Georgia coaching staff tried to make the most of this past weekend.
Assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner and offensive line coach Will Friend were dispatched to the Georgia Dome to see and be seen by the Bulldogs’ targets playing in the Georgia state championship games.
Between them they witnessed cornerback commit Shaq Wiggins (Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek), offensive line commit Josh Cardiello (Buford, Ga./Buford), running back target Alvin Kamara (Norcross, Ga./Norcross), linebacker target Korie Rogers (Buford, Ga./Buford), athlete target Myles Autry (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) and wide receiver target Demarre Kitt (Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek) win state titles. They also saw defensive tackle priority Montravius Adams and his Dooly County (Ga.) High School team come up short in their championship game.
Assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner and offensive line coach Will Friend were dispatched to the Georgia Dome to see and be seen by the Bulldogs’ targets playing in the Georgia state championship games.
Between them they witnessed cornerback commit Shaq Wiggins (Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek), offensive line commit Josh Cardiello (Buford, Ga./Buford), running back target Alvin Kamara (Norcross, Ga./Norcross), linebacker target Korie Rogers (Buford, Ga./Buford), athlete target Myles Autry (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) and wide receiver target Demarre Kitt (Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek) win state titles. They also saw defensive tackle priority Montravius Adams and his Dooly County (Ga.) High School team come up short in their championship game.
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To gear up for 2013 national signing day, DawgNation's Radi Nabulsi is breaking down every commitment in the Bulldogs' 2013 recruiting class.
Vitals: Outside linebacker Leonard Floyd, Eastman, Ga./Hargrave Military | 6-foot-4, 220 pounds
Committed: April 28, 2012
ESPN.com grade: Four-star prospect.
Picked Georgia over: Alabama, South Carolina, Florida, Purdue, Mississippi State and others.
State of the position: All-American Jarvis Jones is expected to head to the NFL instead of returning for his senior year. Cornelius Washington graduated Friday. Chase Vasser is rehabbing his left shoulder after surgery to repair a torn labrum. Freshman Jordan Jenkins started six games this season and is expected to hold onto one of the starting spots next year. The other spot could go to Vasser or rising sophomores Josh Dawson or James DeLoach, both of whom saw a good bit of action as freshmen. Speedy junior T.J. Stripling will try to live up the potential he displayed his freshman year before suffering a knee injury.
Pros: “Floyd is a pretty versatile football player and could project to a trio of positions at the college level. He has good height and while he still needs to add more size and improve overall strength he has good length and looks to be fairly well put-together. He is a bit straight-lined and needs to build speed, but has long strides and can cover ground. ” -- ESPN scouting report
Cons: “He does need to improve strength and generate more power when engaging blockers to help him hold his ground and not just get hands on and catch blockers as he can at times. He can run and be a factor in pursuit, but displays a little more than adequate ability to quickly change directions.” -- ESPN scouting report
Similar to/potential role: Vasser. Floyd could duplicate Vasser’s role on defense, providing containment and the occasional pass rush.
Expected impact: 2014. Floyd is raw talent and needs a year to fill out and develop before he will be an impact player. He could easily see playing time on special teams as his natural athleticism will be an asset on kick coverage and punt coverage. Floyd is thin but quickly adding muscle onto his 6-foot-4 frame. A year of tutelage from Todd Grantham could see Floyd with an arsenal full of moves that make him into a serious pass rusher.
Vitals: Outside linebacker Leonard Floyd, Eastman, Ga./Hargrave Military | 6-foot-4, 220 pounds
Committed: April 28, 2012
ESPN.com grade: Four-star prospect.
Picked Georgia over: Alabama, South Carolina, Florida, Purdue, Mississippi State and others.
State of the position: All-American Jarvis Jones is expected to head to the NFL instead of returning for his senior year. Cornelius Washington graduated Friday. Chase Vasser is rehabbing his left shoulder after surgery to repair a torn labrum. Freshman Jordan Jenkins started six games this season and is expected to hold onto one of the starting spots next year. The other spot could go to Vasser or rising sophomores Josh Dawson or James DeLoach, both of whom saw a good bit of action as freshmen. Speedy junior T.J. Stripling will try to live up the potential he displayed his freshman year before suffering a knee injury.
Pros: “Floyd is a pretty versatile football player and could project to a trio of positions at the college level. He has good height and while he still needs to add more size and improve overall strength he has good length and looks to be fairly well put-together. He is a bit straight-lined and needs to build speed, but has long strides and can cover ground. ” -- ESPN scouting report
Cons: “He does need to improve strength and generate more power when engaging blockers to help him hold his ground and not just get hands on and catch blockers as he can at times. He can run and be a factor in pursuit, but displays a little more than adequate ability to quickly change directions.” -- ESPN scouting report
Similar to/potential role: Vasser. Floyd could duplicate Vasser’s role on defense, providing containment and the occasional pass rush.
Expected impact: 2014. Floyd is raw talent and needs a year to fill out and develop before he will be an impact player. He could easily see playing time on special teams as his natural athleticism will be an asset on kick coverage and punt coverage. Floyd is thin but quickly adding muscle onto his 6-foot-4 frame. A year of tutelage from Todd Grantham could see Floyd with an arsenal full of moves that make him into a serious pass rusher.
I asked for questions on The Pound, DawgNation’s message board, and our readers had quite a few. This week I was asked to make a lot of predictions, projections and prognostications.
DantesInferno60: Do you think Georgia will continue to recruit Steven Nelson (Warner Robins, Ga./College of the Sequoias)?
Radi Nabulsi: I doubt it. When the coaches originally got word that the talented cornerback might be wavering a few months ago, they called Nelson immediately. He continued to remain a commit until this week. When I spoke to him prior to his Oct. 6 official visit to Oregon State, he sounded much more excited about the Beavers than the Bulldogs. I think Georgia moves on from Nelson and continues to try and flip Brendan Langley (Marietta, Ga./Kell) from South Carolina. Also, juco defensive back Riyahd Jones (Columbus, Ga./Garden City Community College) is visiting Georgia on Saturday. He might get an offer in light of Nelson’s decommitment.
DantesInferno60: Do you think Georgia will continue to recruit Steven Nelson (Warner Robins, Ga./College of the Sequoias)?
Radi Nabulsi: I doubt it. When the coaches originally got word that the talented cornerback might be wavering a few months ago, they called Nelson immediately. He continued to remain a commit until this week. When I spoke to him prior to his Oct. 6 official visit to Oregon State, he sounded much more excited about the Beavers than the Bulldogs. I think Georgia moves on from Nelson and continues to try and flip Brendan Langley (Marietta, Ga./Kell) from South Carolina. Also, juco defensive back Riyahd Jones (Columbus, Ga./Garden City Community College) is visiting Georgia on Saturday. He might get an offer in light of Nelson’s decommitment.
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On Monday two University of Georgia commitments began the next stage in their journey to Athens. While four-star prospects John Atkins (Thomson, Ga./Thomson) and Leonard Floyd (Eastman, Ga./Dodge County) graduated high school this year, neither was able to meet the qualification requirements. They will enroll today at Hargrave Military Academy in an attempt to avoid going to junior college.
Atkins, an ESPN 150 prospect and Under Armour All-America Game selection last season, is a 6-foot-3, 325-pound defensive lineman who was considered one of the most athletic big men in the 2013 class. Because of the talent returning this fall, Atkins was likely to redshirt this season anyway, but now he will have a chance to arrive in January and prepare for next fall.
“I plan to keep my head on straight, get my grades up, and get to Athens in January,” Atkins said.
Atkins, an ESPN 150 prospect and Under Armour All-America Game selection last season, is a 6-foot-3, 325-pound defensive lineman who was considered one of the most athletic big men in the 2013 class. Because of the talent returning this fall, Atkins was likely to redshirt this season anyway, but now he will have a chance to arrive in January and prepare for next fall.
“I plan to keep my head on straight, get my grades up, and get to Athens in January,” Atkins said.
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Signee Leonard Floyd to go to prep school
July, 11, 2012
7/11/12
4:36
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By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
The Bulldogs will be without the services of outside linebacker Leonard Floyd (Eastman, Ga./Dodge County) this fall. The NCAA Clearinghouse did not approve an online course he took, so Floyd will not qualify academically.
“The NCAA didn’t clear one of the courses I took in high school,” Floyd said. “It was a class I took early in high school. I can’t even remember it.”
On June 30, Floyd’s family threw him a going-away party as he planned to leave last Thursday to report to the Bulldogs. He did not arrive with the other freshmen, as he was still taking a summer school course -- world geography -- in which he would receive a grade of 91. Floyd later got word that the Clearinghouse had red-flagged some of his classes, and he stayed home awaiting a decision.
“The NCAA didn’t clear one of the courses I took in high school,” Floyd said. “It was a class I took early in high school. I can’t even remember it.”
On June 30, Floyd’s family threw him a going-away party as he planned to leave last Thursday to report to the Bulldogs. He did not arrive with the other freshmen, as he was still taking a summer school course -- world geography -- in which he would receive a grade of 91. Floyd later got word that the Clearinghouse had red-flagged some of his classes, and he stayed home awaiting a decision.
Fifty-seven 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.
57. Leonard Floyd
Fall forecast: Floyd’s enrollment has been delayed by academic issues, which prevented him from gaining valuable college experience (and work in Georgia’s strength and conditioning program) this summer. Floyd is rangy and athletic, but he likely needs to add size before contributing in college.
57. Leonard Floyd
Freshman, Outside linebacker
6-foot-4, 215 pounds
Fall forecast: Floyd’s enrollment has been delayed by academic issues, which prevented him from gaining valuable college experience (and work in Georgia’s strength and conditioning program) this summer. Floyd is rangy and athletic, but he likely needs to add size before contributing in college.
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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.