Georgia Bulldogs: Ty Frix
Editor’s note: DawgNation's post-spring positional analysis continues this week after focusing on the offense last week. Today we examine the special teams players:
Returning players/stats: K Marshall Morgan, So. (8-14 FG, 63-67 PAT, 87 points); P Collin Barber, So. (60 punts, 2,488 yards, 41.5 yards per punt), P Adam Erickson, Jr. (8-296, 37.0 ypp); KOR Malcolm Mitchell, Jr. (16 returns, 360 yards, 22.5 yards per return); KOR Todd Gurley, So. (7-243, 34.7 ypr, 1 TD); PR Mitchell (11-57, 5.2); PR Rhett McGowan, Sr. (9-75, 8.3); PR Damian Swann, Jr. (5-37, 7.4) S Nathan Theus, So.
Newcomers: Tramel Terry, Fr. (ESPN's No. 89 overall prospect of 2013. No. 9 athlete. Enrolled in January); Reggie Davis, Fr. (No. 45 wide receiver. Expected to enroll this summer); J.J. Green, Fr. (No. 58 CB. Enrolled in January); Rico Johnson, Fr. (No. 122 WR. Expected to enroll this summer)
Returning players/stats: K Marshall Morgan, So. (8-14 FG, 63-67 PAT, 87 points); P Collin Barber, So. (60 punts, 2,488 yards, 41.5 yards per punt), P Adam Erickson, Jr. (8-296, 37.0 ypp); KOR Malcolm Mitchell, Jr. (16 returns, 360 yards, 22.5 yards per return); KOR Todd Gurley, So. (7-243, 34.7 ypr, 1 TD); PR Mitchell (11-57, 5.2); PR Rhett McGowan, Sr. (9-75, 8.3); PR Damian Swann, Jr. (5-37, 7.4) S Nathan Theus, So.
Newcomers: Tramel Terry, Fr. (ESPN's No. 89 overall prospect of 2013. No. 9 athlete. Enrolled in January); Reggie Davis, Fr. (No. 45 wide receiver. Expected to enroll this summer); J.J. Green, Fr. (No. 58 CB. Enrolled in January); Rico Johnson, Fr. (No. 122 WR. Expected to enroll this summer)
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Unlike '08, Dogs didn't let loss beat them 
November, 27, 2012
11/27/12
9:00
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By
David Ching | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- The nine remaining players from Georgia’s 2008 team no doubt experienced similar feelings following their loss to Alabama that season to the ones they encountered after a 35-7 loss to South Carolina in early October.
Like the preseason No. 1 team that fell behind the Crimson Tide 31-0 by halftime, this season’s Bulldogs carried enormous expectations into their game in Columbia only to crash spectacularly. The difference, however, is that they dusted themselves off after the embarrassing loss this time and didn’t allow it to ruin the season like the 41-30 loss to Alabama did four seasons ago.
“When we lost that South Carolina game, I told everybody this will be identical to the ’08 season unless we win that Florida game, unless we grab everything back and go in a different direction,” said Christian Robinson, a senior linebacker who redshirted in 2008. “It really has been different because we could have easily hopped back up in the rankings. We lost to an Alabama team that won every game until they lost to Florida [in the 2008 SEC championship game].
Like the preseason No. 1 team that fell behind the Crimson Tide 31-0 by halftime, this season’s Bulldogs carried enormous expectations into their game in Columbia only to crash spectacularly. The difference, however, is that they dusted themselves off after the embarrassing loss this time and didn’t allow it to ruin the season like the 41-30 loss to Alabama did four seasons ago.
“When we lost that South Carolina game, I told everybody this will be identical to the ’08 season unless we win that Florida game, unless we grab everything back and go in a different direction,” said Christian Robinson, a senior linebacker who redshirted in 2008. “It really has been different because we could have easily hopped back up in the rankings. We lost to an Alabama team that won every game until they lost to Florida [in the 2008 SEC championship game].
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Richt: 'We need to evaluate everything'
October, 10, 2012
10/10/12
9:49
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By
David Ching | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- Asked after Wednesday’s practice to offer a midseason report card for his coaching staff, Georgia coach Mark Richt said last Saturday’s 35-7 loss at South Carolina didn’t necessarily spoil what had been an otherwise exciting first half.
But it definitely created reason to reassess what the Bulldogs’ coaches and players should have done differently.
“Overall I think we’ve coached really well. A lot of really good things have been happening,” said Richt, whose team dropped from No. 5 to 14 in the Associated Press Top 25 after the loss. “But when you lose a game the way we did, we need to evaluate everything.”
But it definitely created reason to reassess what the Bulldogs’ coaches and players should have done differently.
“Overall I think we’ve coached really well. A lot of really good things have been happening,” said Richt, whose team dropped from No. 5 to 14 in the Associated Press Top 25 after the loss. “But when you lose a game the way we did, we need to evaluate everything.”
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ATHENS, Ga. -- The last thing Arthur Lynch wanted to do when he returned home from his team’s 35-7 drubbing at South Carolina was clean up a house and front yard that had been egged and rolled with toilet paper.
And yet that’s what Georgia’s tight end found himself doing at 3 a.m. Sunday, when he and roommates Aaron Murray, Christian Robinson, Ty Frix and Dustin Royston returned to see their home had been vandalized after the Bulldogs’ disappointing loss. Robinson -- who has more than 10,000 followers on Twitter -- tweeted about the mess, so Lynch decided to clean up the mess immediately before it became a spectacle.
“[Robinson is] the social media king over there, so when it went on Twitter, I was like, ‘OK, this is going to get a little out of hand.’ I didn’t want anyone to see,” Lynch said after Tuesday’s practice. “I’m glad I cleaned it up when I cleaned it up, just because it’s one of those things. It’s your home. If someone put stuff on Halloween on your home, you’d just be a little offended, but I didn’t take it personal, and I don’t think any one of us really did.”
And yet that’s what Georgia’s tight end found himself doing at 3 a.m. Sunday, when he and roommates Aaron Murray, Christian Robinson, Ty Frix and Dustin Royston returned to see their home had been vandalized after the Bulldogs’ disappointing loss. Robinson -- who has more than 10,000 followers on Twitter -- tweeted about the mess, so Lynch decided to clean up the mess immediately before it became a spectacle.
“[Robinson is] the social media king over there, so when it went on Twitter, I was like, ‘OK, this is going to get a little out of hand.’ I didn’t want anyone to see,” Lynch said after Tuesday’s practice. “I’m glad I cleaned it up when I cleaned it up, just because it’s one of those things. It’s your home. If someone put stuff on Halloween on your home, you’d just be a little offended, but I didn’t take it personal, and I don’t think any one of us really did.”
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Murray different QB from one in 2011 loss
October, 3, 2012
10/03/12
7:00
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By
David Ching | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- There are few examples in Aaron Murray’s tenure as Georgia’s starting quarterback of his mistakes playing a leading role in a Bulldogs loss.
One such example comes from last season’s 45-42 defeat at the hands of South Carolina, when Murray had an interception returned for a touchdown, a fumble returned for a touchdown and did not successfully complete a handoff with tailback Isaiah Crowell, resulting in a fumble that Gamecocks cornerback Stephon Gilmore returned to near the UGA goal line, setting up yet another touchdown.
While Murray’s miscues certainly were not the only ones by a Georgia player that afternoon, the quarterback still cringes as he reviews the plays he’d love to take back; plays that contributed to the Bulldogs losing an eminently winnable game.
“When you go back to watch the film, as preparation, as aid, it’s still painful to watch,” Murray said. “I don’t like to watch it too much.”
One such example comes from last season’s 45-42 defeat at the hands of South Carolina, when Murray had an interception returned for a touchdown, a fumble returned for a touchdown and did not successfully complete a handoff with tailback Isaiah Crowell, resulting in a fumble that Gamecocks cornerback Stephon Gilmore returned to near the UGA goal line, setting up yet another touchdown.
While Murray’s miscues certainly were not the only ones by a Georgia player that afternoon, the quarterback still cringes as he reviews the plays he’d love to take back; plays that contributed to the Bulldogs losing an eminently winnable game.
“When you go back to watch the film, as preparation, as aid, it’s still painful to watch,” Murray said. “I don’t like to watch it too much.”
Morgan's roller-coaster ride continues
October, 2, 2012
10/02/12
7:00
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By
David Ching | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- Marshall Morgan experienced another couple of hilly points on his rollercoaster ride as Georgia’s place-kicker last Saturday.
In the Bulldogs’ 51-44 win against Tennessee, the freshman’s problems with extra points continued -- he failed on one attempt after banking it off the left upright, having already chipped three successful PATs off the left upright in previous games, plus Tennessee’s Daniel McCullers blocked another PAT try -- and yet he also contributed one of the biggest momentum-shifting plays of the game.
Morgan’s 50-yard field goal at the halftime buzzer helped Georgia tie the score at 30-30, helping the Bulldogs right the ship after a dismal second quarter eliminated a big early advantage.
In the Bulldogs’ 51-44 win against Tennessee, the freshman’s problems with extra points continued -- he failed on one attempt after banking it off the left upright, having already chipped three successful PATs off the left upright in previous games, plus Tennessee’s Daniel McCullers blocked another PAT try -- and yet he also contributed one of the biggest momentum-shifting plays of the game.
Morgan’s 50-yard field goal at the halftime buzzer helped Georgia tie the score at 30-30, helping the Bulldogs right the ship after a dismal second quarter eliminated a big early advantage.
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia’s 48-3 drubbing of Vanderbilt on Saturday provided plenty of memorable moments. DawgNation was on the sideline trying to capture all of those photo-worthy plays and we came up with this picture gallery from the game. Some highlights include:
- Jarvis Jones running down quarterback Jordan Rodgers for a sack
- Todd Gurley breaking tackles on his way to a touchdown
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Around the Hedges in 80 Days: N. Theus
August, 23, 2012
8/23/12
8:33
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By
David Ching | ESPN.com
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.
9. Nathan Theus
Fall forecast: Unless something happens to three-year starting snapper Ty Frix, Theus might contribute on special teams only in a reserve role this fall. Frix has handled the snapping duties in every game of his Georgia career and seems to still have a grasp on the job entering his senior season. However, it would not be a shock to see Theus get some opportunities to snap some this fall, as well.
9. Nathan Theus
Redshirt freshman, Long snapper
6-foot-3, 249 pounds
Fall forecast: Unless something happens to three-year starting snapper Ty Frix, Theus might contribute on special teams only in a reserve role this fall. Frix has handled the snapping duties in every game of his Georgia career and seems to still have a grasp on the job entering his senior season. However, it would not be a shock to see Theus get some opportunities to snap some this fall, as well.
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Notebook: Samuel back as top tailback?
August, 2, 2012
8/02/12
10:36
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By
David Ching | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- Ken Malcome became Georgia’s presumptive starting tailback after Isaiah Crowell’s dismissal in June, but his status atop the depth chart is far from concrete.
With senior Richard Samuel returning to the position full-time -- following a spring during which he also played fullback -- and freshmen Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley officially joining the competition at Thursday’s first preseason practice, Malcome still must earn the starting spot.
“They’ve done a great job of absorbing everything,” quarterback Aaron Murray said of the new freshmen, “but we have Richard, who’s probably going to get the majority of the reps, so I know he knows everything. And when it comes to the game plan, actually, it’s not like you’re putting the whole offense into the game plan. So it definitely gets narrowed down and they’ll be able to narrow down their focus onto a certain amount of plays that they’ll need to work on for that week.”
With senior Richard Samuel returning to the position full-time -- following a spring during which he also played fullback -- and freshmen Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley officially joining the competition at Thursday’s first preseason practice, Malcome still must earn the starting spot.
“They’ve done a great job of absorbing everything,” quarterback Aaron Murray said of the new freshmen, “but we have Richard, who’s probably going to get the majority of the reps, so I know he knows everything. And when it comes to the game plan, actually, it’s not like you’re putting the whole offense into the game plan. So it definitely gets narrowed down and they’ll be able to narrow down their focus onto a certain amount of plays that they’ll need to work on for that week.”
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Editor’s note: With Georgia set to open preseason camp on Thursday, DawgNation will break down each position group and the storylines to watch in August. After examining Georgia’s offensive and defensive position groups, we complete the series today with the Bulldogs’ special teams units.
Perhaps no area on Georgia’s roster is more unsettled than its special teams units as preseason practice approaches.
The Bulldogs lost a Ray Guy Award winner in punter Drew Butler, a record-setting Lou Groza Award finalist in kicker Blair Walsh and the 2011 Paul Hornung Award winner -- a prize given to the nation’s most versatile player -- to Brandon Boykin, who handled the majority of kickoff and punt returns last season.
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Fifty-six 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.
56. Ty Frix
Fall forecast: A three-year starter as the Bulldogs’ snapper, Frix figures to retain the position for his final season of eligibility although redshirt freshman Nathan Theus could challenge for playing time. Frix, however, completed spring practice as the first-team snapper ahead of Theus and Wright Gazaway.
56. Ty Frix
Senior, Long snapper
6-foot-0, 213 pounds
Fall forecast: A three-year starter as the Bulldogs’ snapper, Frix figures to retain the position for his final season of eligibility although redshirt freshman Nathan Theus could challenge for playing time. Frix, however, completed spring practice as the first-team snapper ahead of Theus and Wright Gazaway.
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Back to square one for the Bulldogs. Last year, University of Georgia head coach Mark Richt needed to make a splash in recruiting. Coming off a six-win season in 2010 -- by far the worst of his tenure in Athens -- Richt needed an impact player at running back in the class. The Bulldogs were 73rd in the country in rushing, 10th in the SEC, but Richt was able to put the finishing touches on a top-five class -- one he dubbed the “Dream Team" -- by signing five-star running back and the top prospect in Georgia, Isaiah Crowell.
Friday, following an arrest on felony weapons charges, Crowell was dismissed from the team by Richt, ending Crowell’s career at Georgia after only one season and putting more pressure on his teammates to replace the SEC Freshman of the Year. The latest departure further depletes the overall talent on Georgia’s team, making the 2013 class even more important for the future of the program.
Big class coming in
Friday, following an arrest on felony weapons charges, Crowell was dismissed from the team by Richt, ending Crowell’s career at Georgia after only one season and putting more pressure on his teammates to replace the SEC Freshman of the Year. The latest departure further depletes the overall talent on Georgia’s team, making the 2013 class even more important for the future of the program.
Big class coming in
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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.
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To get ready for the start of Georgia’s spring football practice today, DawgNation has provided a position breakdown for each of the last nine days. In today’s final installment, we analyze the special teams.
2011 starters: P Drew Butler, 2011 senior (58 punts, 2,566 yards, 44.2 yards per punt); PK: Blair Walsh, 2011 senior (21-35 field goals, 46-46 PAT, 109 points); PR: Brandon Boykin, 2011 senior (14 returns, 180 yards, 1 TD, 12.9 yards per return); KOR: Boykin (38-850, 22.4 yards per return); SN: Ty Frix, Sr.
Key losses: Butler, Walsh, Boykin, PK Brandon Bogotay (1-2 FG, 6-6 PAT, 9 points)
Returning seniors set sights on title
January, 13, 2012
1/13/12
5:31
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By
David Ching | ESPN.com
Mark Richt and 15 veteran Georgia football players met with reporters Friday afternoon in the Bulldogs’ team meeting room on campus in Athens, Ga.
The reason for the impromptu news conference? The group of draft-eligible players -- plus backup quarterback Hutson Mason, who had been contemplating a transfer -- wanted to collectively discuss their decisions to return for the 2012 season and their aspirations to contend for the national title.
“There were more guys that I thought were very seriously considering it than usual -- and I think for good reason. I think there’s a bunch of guys that are going to play in the NFL in that group,” said Richt, who lost only junior tight end Orson Charles to the draft among Bulldogs underclassmen. “So when that many went through the process and still wanted to be at Georgia for whatever reason, to me that was the time to celebrate those decisions and to have a positive image for Georgia, have a positive image for these guys personally and to maybe even motivate the rest of the team. Maybe have something exciting for Georgia Bulldog people to enjoy.”
The reason for the impromptu news conference? The group of draft-eligible players -- plus backup quarterback Hutson Mason, who had been contemplating a transfer -- wanted to collectively discuss their decisions to return for the 2012 season and their aspirations to contend for the national title.
“There were more guys that I thought were very seriously considering it than usual -- and I think for good reason. I think there’s a bunch of guys that are going to play in the NFL in that group,” said Richt, who lost only junior tight end Orson Charles to the draft among Bulldogs underclassmen. “So when that many went through the process and still wanted to be at Georgia for whatever reason, to me that was the time to celebrate those decisions and to have a positive image for Georgia, have a positive image for these guys personally and to maybe even motivate the rest of the team. Maybe have something exciting for Georgia Bulldog people to enjoy.”
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.