Georgia Bulldogs: Tony Ball
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Justin Scott-Wesley enjoyed his first taste of success in Georgia’s last game. But asked Thursday evening to name a potential breakout performer, Bulldogs offensive coordinator Mike Bobo selected the sophomore receiver as a player to watch this fall.
“He had a great spring,” Bobo said at the UGA Days event in Augusta, “one of our most improved receivers.”
Scott-Wesley entered the lineup in the Bulldogs’ Capital One Bowl win against Nebraska only after Malcolm Mitchell left the game with a concussion sustained while returning a kick.
To that point in his first season as an active college player, Scott-Wesley had caught passes only in mop-up duty against Florida Atlantic and Georgia Southern. But he hauled in three balls against the Cornhuskers -- including two long passes that pushed the ball into Nebraska territory, one of which was a 31-yard gain on Georgia’s go-ahead touchdown drive at the end of the third quarter -- and concluded a career-best performance with 67 yards.
That performance propelled the young receiver into spring practice, Bobo said.
“I think the confidence level he gained from playing in the bowl game when Malcolm Mitchell went down with a concussion, he caught three passes -- two big third-down conversions -- and him making those plays in a game gave him confidence to carry over into spring ball and get better and make that next step,” Bobo said.
Blessed with sprinter’s speed -- in fact, the former Georgia high school record-setter will compete in the 100-meter dash for Georgia’s track team on Saturday evening at the SEC championships -- Scott-Wesley was a project for the Bulldogs’ coaching staff when he arrived on campus in 2011. Bobo credited receivers coach Tony Ball for molding an SEC-ready receiver out of a player who initially had much to learn about the finer points of his position.
“He can absolutely fly, but he was not a football player,” Bobo said. “He was very raw, and coach Tony Ball does an outstanding job with our receivers and coaching the little things and the details and has really refined this guy’s game to where I think he’s going to have a breakout year.”
Scott-Wesley made some noise last spring, as well, but barely dented the receiver rotation until the very end of the season. He concluded his redshirt freshman campaign with six catches for 135 yards and one touchdown, so it’s far too early to say that another strong spring means he has arrived.
However, Bobo points out that it was a sign of progress -- which is exactly what he wanted to see from a developing player in the spring.
“That’s what you’re looking for and really looking for in the whole offense is taking that next step,” Bobo said.
“He had a great spring,” Bobo said at the UGA Days event in Augusta, “one of our most improved receivers.”
Scott-Wesley entered the lineup in the Bulldogs’ Capital One Bowl win against Nebraska only after Malcolm Mitchell left the game with a concussion sustained while returning a kick.
To that point in his first season as an active college player, Scott-Wesley had caught passes only in mop-up duty against Florida Atlantic and Georgia Southern. But he hauled in three balls against the Cornhuskers -- including two long passes that pushed the ball into Nebraska territory, one of which was a 31-yard gain on Georgia’s go-ahead touchdown drive at the end of the third quarter -- and concluded a career-best performance with 67 yards.
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Radi Nabulsi/ESPN.comSpeedy receiver Justin Scott-Wesley had six catches for 135 yards and a TD as a redshirt freshman.
Radi Nabulsi/ESPN.comSpeedy receiver Justin Scott-Wesley had six catches for 135 yards and a TD as a redshirt freshman.“I think the confidence level he gained from playing in the bowl game when Malcolm Mitchell went down with a concussion, he caught three passes -- two big third-down conversions -- and him making those plays in a game gave him confidence to carry over into spring ball and get better and make that next step,” Bobo said.
Blessed with sprinter’s speed -- in fact, the former Georgia high school record-setter will compete in the 100-meter dash for Georgia’s track team on Saturday evening at the SEC championships -- Scott-Wesley was a project for the Bulldogs’ coaching staff when he arrived on campus in 2011. Bobo credited receivers coach Tony Ball for molding an SEC-ready receiver out of a player who initially had much to learn about the finer points of his position.
“He can absolutely fly, but he was not a football player,” Bobo said. “He was very raw, and coach Tony Ball does an outstanding job with our receivers and coaching the little things and the details and has really refined this guy’s game to where I think he’s going to have a breakout year.”
Scott-Wesley made some noise last spring, as well, but barely dented the receiver rotation until the very end of the season. He concluded his redshirt freshman campaign with six catches for 135 yards and one touchdown, so it’s far too early to say that another strong spring means he has arrived.
However, Bobo points out that it was a sign of progress -- which is exactly what he wanted to see from a developing player in the spring.
“That’s what you’re looking for and really looking for in the whole offense is taking that next step,” Bobo said.
Georgia offers Watch List wide receiver 
April, 12, 2013
Apr 12
10:00
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By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- Despite missing half of his junior season, ESPN Watch List wide receiver Jake McCrary (Miami/Coral Reef) is close to having 20 offers. Earlier this week he picked up No. 16 from UCF and then on Wednesday, the University of Georgia offered.
What are the coaches at all these schools seeing in his injury-shortened highlight reel? The answer is production. After missing five games with a strained ACL and PCL, McCrary scored seven touchdowns on just 13 catches. He also had 311 receiving yards, an average of 24 yards per catch. To top it off, McCrary returned four punts for touchdowns and three interceptions on defense.
“I talked to Tony Ball today and he let me know that Georgia was going to offer me and that he would love for me to come up and get to see the facilities,” McCrary said. “That was very exciting for me because Georgia is a great team that throws the ball a lot to be in the SEC. That is a great thing.”
What are the coaches at all these schools seeing in his injury-shortened highlight reel? The answer is production. After missing five games with a strained ACL and PCL, McCrary scored seven touchdowns on just 13 catches. He also had 311 receiving yards, an average of 24 yards per catch. To top it off, McCrary returned four punts for touchdowns and three interceptions on defense.
“I talked to Tony Ball today and he let me know that Georgia was going to offer me and that he would love for me to come up and get to see the facilities,” McCrary said. “That was very exciting for me because Georgia is a great team that throws the ball a lot to be in the SEC. That is a great thing.”
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ATHENS, Ga. -- The big news out of Athens this week concerned raises for each of Mark Richt’s football assistants -- including a big raise and new three-year contract for offensive coordinator Mike Bobo.
Bobo received a $240,000 pay bump to $575,000 per year and assistants Will Friend and Tony Ball also got sizable raises, but all nine Richt assistants received a pay increase of some sort.
Bobo received a $240,000 pay bump to $575,000 per year and assistants Will Friend and Tony Ball also got sizable raises, but all nine Richt assistants received a pay increase of some sort.
ATHENS, Ga. -- After his 2012 offense set several school records, Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo received a three-year contract that includes a $240,000 raise, pushing his guaranteed salary to $575,000 annually.
“I think he deserved a three-year deal because that’s really what’s happening out there in this league,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said before Thursday’s practice. “And his salary’s very competitive with his peers and I think he’s earned that.”
Jeff Vest/Icon SMIGeorgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo received a three-year contract that included a $240,000 raise.Bobo and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham now both are operating on three-year deals. Bobo had been coaching on renewable one-year contracts since joining Richt’s first UGA staff in 2001.
According to salary figures that UGA released to ESPN.com on Thursday, Bobo and each of Richt’s nine assistant coaches received salary increases following a 2012 campaign when the Bulldogs fell just short of an appearance in the BCS championship game.
“I think we’ve got a great staff and I want to keep them,” Richt said. “But it’s a very competitive league in a lot of areas. There’s the competition on the field, there’s the competition in recruiting and then sometimes there’s a competition to hang on to your assistant coaches.”
Offensive line coach Will Friend received a $90,000 raise, pushing his annual salary to $300,000 per year. Friend also added the title of running game coordinator to his resume.
Meanwhile, wide receivers coach Tony Ball received a $50,000 increase to $260,000.
Each of Georgia’s remaining assistants received $25,000 raises: Grantham (to $850,000), inside linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti (to $285,000), defensive backs coach Scott Lakatos (to $235,000), tight ends coach John Lilly (to $235,000) and running backs coach Bryan McClendon (to $235,000).
New defensive line coach Chris Wilson is scheduled to make $250,000 in 2013.
“It was good for them, but it was good for me as well because I really think these guys are tremendous,” Richt said of the staff raises. “I think every one of them are and over time, I want to continue to try to bless them the best we can financially and stay as competitive as we can in that area.”
“I think he deserved a three-year deal because that’s really what’s happening out there in this league,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said before Thursday’s practice. “And his salary’s very competitive with his peers and I think he’s earned that.”
Jeff Vest/Icon SMIGeorgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo received a three-year contract that included a $240,000 raise.According to salary figures that UGA released to ESPN.com on Thursday, Bobo and each of Richt’s nine assistant coaches received salary increases following a 2012 campaign when the Bulldogs fell just short of an appearance in the BCS championship game.
“I think we’ve got a great staff and I want to keep them,” Richt said. “But it’s a very competitive league in a lot of areas. There’s the competition on the field, there’s the competition in recruiting and then sometimes there’s a competition to hang on to your assistant coaches.”
Offensive line coach Will Friend received a $90,000 raise, pushing his annual salary to $300,000 per year. Friend also added the title of running game coordinator to his resume.
Meanwhile, wide receivers coach Tony Ball received a $50,000 increase to $260,000.
Each of Georgia’s remaining assistants received $25,000 raises: Grantham (to $850,000), inside linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti (to $285,000), defensive backs coach Scott Lakatos (to $235,000), tight ends coach John Lilly (to $235,000) and running backs coach Bryan McClendon (to $235,000).
New defensive line coach Chris Wilson is scheduled to make $250,000 in 2013.
“It was good for them, but it was good for me as well because I really think these guys are tremendous,” Richt said of the staff raises. “I think every one of them are and over time, I want to continue to try to bless them the best we can financially and stay as competitive as we can in that area.”
2014 DE Harris draws interest from SEC
February, 27, 2013
Feb 27
7:11
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By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
Class of 2014 defensive end Trent Harris (Winter Park, Fla./Winter Park) is legitimately on the radar, if he wasn't before, that is.
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Georgia offers physical Watch List WR
February, 17, 2013
Feb 17
12:31
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By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
The Georgia coaching staff spent this past week sending out offers to some of the top players in the country. From running backs to defensive ends, the coaches dove into the Class of 2014 with vigor, just days after the ink was dry on the Class of 2013. Before hosting a junior day on Saturday, they sent out a new offer to one of the premier wideouts in Louisiana on Friday.
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Safety Kennar Johnson (Clermont, Fla./Mississippi Gulf Coast CC) was supposed to enroll at Georgia this month.
He had been committed to the Bulldogs for more than three weeks when the junior college signing period began Dec. 18, and was expected to sign then. By Dec. 19 it was obvious something was wrong. Johnson could not be reached for comment. His coach stopped returning phone calls. Georgia put out a press release with the names of two junior colleges players that had signed with the Bulldogs. Johnson was not on the list.
Recently, a couple of Georgia coaches went to visit Johnson.
He had been committed to the Bulldogs for more than three weeks when the junior college signing period began Dec. 18, and was expected to sign then. By Dec. 19 it was obvious something was wrong. Johnson could not be reached for comment. His coach stopped returning phone calls. Georgia put out a press release with the names of two junior colleges players that had signed with the Bulldogs. Johnson was not on the list.
Recently, a couple of Georgia coaches went to visit Johnson.
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Watch highlight footage of Tramel Terry excelling at both receiver and running back in high school and you’ll see where the conundrum lies for Georgia’s coaches, who must determine the best way to use the speedster in college.
His coach at Goose Creek (S.C) High School, Chuck Reedy -- a former college coach himself -- even wrestled with where to play Terry before Georgia decided to deploy him at wideout when he enrolled earlier this month. And Reedy amusedly recalled a conversation concerning that very subject with Terry’s lead UGA recruiter, tight ends coach John Lilly, from last fall.
“I said, ‘I really think he’s a running back. Even though that’s not where he played when he was younger, we played him there the last two years about half the time,’” Reedy said. “But he just made a lot of plays, was really instinctive and had good vision and all those things. I said, ‘I’m just not sure that’s not where he needs to play.’
His coach at Goose Creek (S.C) High School, Chuck Reedy -- a former college coach himself -- even wrestled with where to play Terry before Georgia decided to deploy him at wideout when he enrolled earlier this month. And Reedy amusedly recalled a conversation concerning that very subject with Terry’s lead UGA recruiter, tight ends coach John Lilly, from last fall.
“I said, ‘I really think he’s a running back. Even though that’s not where he played when he was younger, we played him there the last two years about half the time,’” Reedy said. “But he just made a lot of plays, was really instinctive and had good vision and all those things. I said, ‘I’m just not sure that’s not where he needs to play.’
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Editor’s note: In 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 wide receivers:
" 2012 two-deep depth chart:
Tavarres King (Sr.), Chris Conley (So.)
Malcolm Mitchell (So.), Rhett McGowan (Jr.)
" 2012 two-deep depth chart:
Tavarres King (Sr.), Chris Conley (So.)
Malcolm Mitchell (So.), Rhett McGowan (Jr.)
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Tibbs says redshirt year was beneficial
December, 20, 2012
12/20/12
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By
David Ching | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- After sitting out his first season in college, Blake Tibbs can easily recall the receiver who arrived at Georgia a few months ago and point out what he was doing wrong.
“In high school, I got away with a lot of things. When I got up here and I tried to do them things I did in high school, the DBs were all over me,” laughed Tibbs, a redshirting freshman who starred at Martin Luther King High School in Lithonia, Ga. “Really, you’ve got to tighten up your form and your technique. And when you do that, Coach [Tony] Ball teaches you technique and if you use it, if they don’t throw you the ball, at least you’re going to be open.”
Because of the loaded depth chart when he arrived on campus -- seniors Tavarres King and Marlon Brown led the receivers, with sophomores Michael Bennett, Malcolm Mitchell and Chris Conley already having gained considerable experience in 2011 -- Tibbs was a strong candidate to redshirt from the get-go. He admittedly was unhappy with that status at the beginning of the season, but said he came to realize it was beneficial as time progressed.
“In high school, I got away with a lot of things. When I got up here and I tried to do them things I did in high school, the DBs were all over me,” laughed Tibbs, a redshirting freshman who starred at Martin Luther King High School in Lithonia, Ga. “Really, you’ve got to tighten up your form and your technique. And when you do that, Coach [Tony] Ball teaches you technique and if you use it, if they don’t throw you the ball, at least you’re going to be open.”
Because of the loaded depth chart when he arrived on campus -- seniors Tavarres King and Marlon Brown led the receivers, with sophomores Michael Bennett, Malcolm Mitchell and Chris Conley already having gained considerable experience in 2011 -- Tibbs was a strong candidate to redshirt from the get-go. He admittedly was unhappy with that status at the beginning of the season, but said he came to realize it was beneficial as time progressed.
New commit Rumph fills sizable WR need
November, 21, 2012
11/21/12
8:02
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By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
The commitment of juco wideout Jonathon Rumph (Cayce, S.C./Holmes Community College) to Georgia is a big addition to the Bulldogs’ receiving corps -- pun intended. Georgia does not have a returning receiver on the team now or committed in the Class of 2013 who resembles the 6-foot-5, 215-pound Rumph. He is a large target -- something this recruiting class was missing.
As it stands, Georgia has commitments from wide receivers Reggie Davis (Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln), Uriah LeMay (Matthews, N.C./Butler), and Rico Johnson (Swainsboro, Ga./Swainsboro). Athletes Tramel Terry (Goose Creek, S.C./ Goose Creek) and J.J. Green (Kingsland, Ga./Camden County) will play multiple roles on the offense as well, including slot receiver. Aside from LeMay, who stands at 6-2, this group of receivers is not known for size, but rather speed and technique. Rumph will be the wideout who creates the most mismatches with opposing corners. He is not fast like Davis or Terry, but in a red-zone situation he will present a nice option.
Georgia signed only one wide receiver in the Class of 2012, and Blake Tibbs redshirted this season. The coaching staff knew it would have to bring in some playmakers with the next class.
As it stands, Georgia has commitments from wide receivers Reggie Davis (Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln), Uriah LeMay (Matthews, N.C./Butler), and Rico Johnson (Swainsboro, Ga./Swainsboro). Athletes Tramel Terry (Goose Creek, S.C./ Goose Creek) and J.J. Green (Kingsland, Ga./Camden County) will play multiple roles on the offense as well, including slot receiver. Aside from LeMay, who stands at 6-2, this group of receivers is not known for size, but rather speed and technique. Rumph will be the wideout who creates the most mismatches with opposing corners. He is not fast like Davis or Terry, but in a red-zone situation he will present a nice option.
Georgia signed only one wide receiver in the Class of 2012, and Blake Tibbs redshirted this season. The coaching staff knew it would have to bring in some playmakers with the next class.
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A day after adding a cornerback with the size coveted by secondary coach Scott Lakatos, the Georgia Bulldogs gained a commitment from a wide receiver with the size any college program would love to have. Juco wideout Jonathon Rumph, at 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds, announced his commitment to Georgia tonight at Spires Recreation Center in Cayce, S.C., his childhood stomping grounds.
“I chose Georgia because I love the atmosphere there, the fans, and how the coaching staff is filled with real people,” Rumph said. “They have my best interests at heart for me in regards to my career and my path to becoming a quality young man.”
Rumph chose Georgia over offers from Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Texas Tech, among others. In nine games this season, Rumph caught 44 passes for 575 yards and 3 touchdowns.
With the upcoming graduation of Georgia’s Marlon Brown and Tavarres King, Rumph sees an opportunity to make an impact in Athens.
“The situation at receiver is such that I feel I can come in, work my way up the depth chart, and have a good chance at earning a starting position,” Rumph said. “With my size, the pro-style scheme at Georgia is a perfect fit because it puts me in 1-on-1 matchups where I can be a big help to the offense.”
He also likes the potential for success at Georgia.
“I chose Georgia because I love the atmosphere there, the fans, and how the coaching staff is filled with real people,” Rumph said. “They have my best interests at heart for me in regards to my career and my path to becoming a quality young man.”
Rumph chose Georgia over offers from Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Texas Tech, among others. In nine games this season, Rumph caught 44 passes for 575 yards and 3 touchdowns.
With the upcoming graduation of Georgia’s Marlon Brown and Tavarres King, Rumph sees an opportunity to make an impact in Athens.
“The situation at receiver is such that I feel I can come in, work my way up the depth chart, and have a good chance at earning a starting position,” Rumph said. “With my size, the pro-style scheme at Georgia is a perfect fit because it puts me in 1-on-1 matchups where I can be a big help to the offense.”
He also likes the potential for success at Georgia.
Receiver Jonathan Rumph (Cayce, S.C./Holmes Community College) is getting close to a decision, and this past weekend the 6-foot-5, 215-pound juco wideout was in Athens, Ga., for his final official visit before he announces his commitment.
“It was a good trip and I am glad I got a chance to see the school and get a better look at Georgia,” Rumph said. “What stood out was the bond that the coaches have with each other, the players, the fan base and the atmosphere, the great community in Athens.”
Georgia's coaching staff was the first thing that stood out to Rumph, with his potential position coach making a solid impression.
“It was a good trip and I am glad I got a chance to see the school and get a better look at Georgia,” Rumph said. “What stood out was the bond that the coaches have with each other, the players, the fan base and the atmosphere, the great community in Athens.”
Georgia's coaching staff was the first thing that stood out to Rumph, with his potential position coach making a solid impression.
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Demarre Kitt decommits from Georgia
October, 11, 2012
10/11/12
7:33
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By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
Georgia lost the commitment of an ESPN Watch List wide receiver on Thursday night when Demarre Kitt (Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek) reopened his recruitment.
“I am officially decommitted from Georgia,” Kitt said. “I think I committed too early and teams are still recruiting me hard and I think I need to give them a fair chance. I talked to Coach [Tony] Ball about 15 minutes ago and he said he would let Coach [Mark] Richt know. He said he understood and that he wanted what was best for me. He said he is still going to recruit me.”
The Bulldogs could still wind up signing Kitt, as he has them in his new top three.
“I am officially decommitted from Georgia,” Kitt said. “I think I committed too early and teams are still recruiting me hard and I think I need to give them a fair chance. I talked to Coach [Tony] Ball about 15 minutes ago and he said he would let Coach [Mark] Richt know. He said he understood and that he wanted what was best for me. He said he is still going to recruit me.”
The Bulldogs could still wind up signing Kitt, as he has them in his new top three.
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Alabama still in hunt for Alvin Kamara
October, 9, 2012
10/09/12
8:30
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By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
NORCROSS, Ga. -- The Alabama coaches were not joking when they sent ESPN 150 running back Alvin Kamara (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) 105 recruiting letters back in February. In spite of the recent commitment of ESPN 150 athlete Derrick Henry (Yulee, Fla./Yulee) to the Crimson Tide, Nick Saban and Kirby Smart are still pursuing Kamara.
That might surprise plenty of Georgia fans who thought that Henry’s decision would send Kamara, who had named Georgia and Alabama as his leaders, straight to Athens, Ga.
“Coach Smart is out here tonight,” Kamara said. “They are still after me as hard as when it all started. They called me after Derrick committed. Coach Smart and I talked and he said, ‘You know we still want you as bad as we did before.’ Bama puts guys in the NFL and the atmosphere up there is crazy. I love it. I am comfortable when I get into Tuscaloosa.
That might surprise plenty of Georgia fans who thought that Henry’s decision would send Kamara, who had named Georgia and Alabama as his leaders, straight to Athens, Ga.
“Coach Smart is out here tonight,” Kamara said. “They are still after me as hard as when it all started. They called me after Derrick committed. Coach Smart and I talked and he said, ‘You know we still want you as bad as we did before.’ Bama puts guys in the NFL and the atmosphere up there is crazy. I love it. I am comfortable when I get into Tuscaloosa.
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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.