Georgia Bulldogs: Ty Smith
Editor’s note: Each day between now and Georgia’s Capital One Bowl date with Nebraska, we will review the season for a key Bulldogs player and attempt to project what’s next. Today we’ll look at tight end Jay Rome.
No. 87 Jay Rome
Freshman/Tight end
11 catches, 152 yards, 2 TDs
Role in 2012: After redshirting behind Orson Charles and Aron White in 2011, Rome formed an effective tight end tandem with Arthur Lynch this fall.
The good: Rome played in every game and started once, against Georgia Tech, as a redshirt freshman. Rome caught at least one pass in each of the last five games and caught touchdown passes -- the first two of his career -- in the last two games. His 19-yard grab in the second quarter against Alabama helped Georgia take a 7-0 lead in the SEC championship game.
No. 87 Jay Rome
Freshman/Tight end
11 catches, 152 yards, 2 TDs
Role in 2012: After redshirting behind Orson Charles and Aron White in 2011, Rome formed an effective tight end tandem with Arthur Lynch this fall.
The good: Rome played in every game and started once, against Georgia Tech, as a redshirt freshman. Rome caught at least one pass in each of the last five games and caught touchdown passes -- the first two of his career -- in the last two games. His 19-yard grab in the second quarter against Alabama helped Georgia take a 7-0 lead in the SEC championship game.
ATHENS, Ga. -- As Georgia closes out its 2013 recruiting class, the Bulldogs’ coaching staff is hitting the road and the film room to evaluate the next crop of talented recruits. A few offers have already gone out to some members of the Class of 2014, but each week new names emerge.
We are going to take a position-by-position look at a number of the 2014 prospects whose profile pages you may want to add to your favorites. Here is a look at the tight ends Georgia has offered or has on its radar.
Needs: 2, Committed: none
We are going to take a position-by-position look at a number of the 2014 prospects whose profile pages you may want to add to your favorites. Here is a look at the tight ends Georgia has offered or has on its radar.
Needs: 2, Committed: none
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Around the Hedges in 80 Days: Ty F.-Smith 
August, 18, 2012
8/18/12
8:15
AM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
Fourteen 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.
14. Ty Flournoy-Smith
Fall forecast: Like most freshmen who are about three weeks into their college careers, Flournoy-Smith is still catching onto all of his responsibilities. But the Bulldogs have almost no choice but to play him this season. With only Arthur Lynch and Jay Rome on the roster as scholarship tight ends, Georgia will make use of Flournoy-Smith’s receiving skills this season and hope he continues to improve as a blocker. He said recently that is the area that he must work on most as he was a bit undersized when he arrived on campus in June.
14. Ty Flournoy-Smith
Freshman, Tight end
6-foot-3, 237 pounds
Fall forecast: Like most freshmen who are about three weeks into their college careers, Flournoy-Smith is still catching onto all of his responsibilities. But the Bulldogs have almost no choice but to play him this season. With only Arthur Lynch and Jay Rome on the roster as scholarship tight ends, Georgia will make use of Flournoy-Smith’s receiving skills this season and hope he continues to improve as a blocker. He said recently that is the area that he must work on most as he was a bit undersized when he arrived on campus in June.
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Georgia coach Mark Richt discussed a variety of subjects in an interview period with reporters after Monday's practice, including how the Bulldogs' tailback situation is shaping up and how the team is still waiting for left tackle Austin Long to become a more reliable backup to Kenarious Gates.
Here are some of the highlights from Richt's Q&A period:
On tailback Ken Malcome’s progress this preseason:
Here are some of the highlights from Richt's Q&A period:
On tailback Ken Malcome’s progress this preseason:
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia coach Mark Richt confirmed after Friday’s practice that true freshman quarterback Faton Bauta is likely in line for a redshirt season this fall.
Bauta is the newcomer in a deep group of quarterbacks that includes All-SEC starter Aaron Murray, junior Hutson Mason, redshirt freshman Christian LeMay and walk-on Parker Welch, so the incoming freshman has not been getting many practice reps this preseason.
“It’s just a matter of learning, and sometimes it is harder to learn when you’re trying to learn with a [small] amount of opportunities,” Richt said. “But we’re not expecting him to have to play for us this year. More than likely he’ll redshirt.”
Bauta is the newcomer in a deep group of quarterbacks that includes All-SEC starter Aaron Murray, junior Hutson Mason, redshirt freshman Christian LeMay and walk-on Parker Welch, so the incoming freshman has not been getting many practice reps this preseason.
“It’s just a matter of learning, and sometimes it is harder to learn when you’re trying to learn with a [small] amount of opportunities,” Richt said. “But we’re not expecting him to have to play for us this year. More than likely he’ll redshirt.”
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Q&A: Mason on redshirts, TBs, no-huddle
August, 6, 2012
8/06/12
6:36
PM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- Hutson Mason knows he is in a unique position.
Georgia’s backup quarterback hopes to redshirt this season but knows if starter Aaron Murray gets hurt, it would become a judgment call between himself and coaches Mark Richt and Mike Bobo as to whether he should play -- particularly if an injury to Murray came midway through the fall or later.
In the meantime, he continues to share time with redshirt freshman Christian LeMay during preseason practice.
Georgia’s backup quarterback hopes to redshirt this season but knows if starter Aaron Murray gets hurt, it would become a judgment call between himself and coaches Mark Richt and Mike Bobo as to whether he should play -- particularly if an injury to Murray came midway through the fall or later.
In the meantime, he continues to share time with redshirt freshman Christian LeMay during preseason practice.
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Dawgs get No. 23 in TE Jordan Davis
July, 29, 2012
7/29/12
8:39
PM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi and
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
Tight end Jordan Davis (Thomson, Ga./Thomson) committed to the University of Georgia on Sunday after spending Friday with the Bulldogs coaches. Davis made the trip with his mother, the day after the two took a visit to Florida. In the end, it came down to another classic border battle for the talented tight end.
"I just felt like I was at home, so I called John Lilly and Mark Richt and committed to Georgia," Davis said. “I told them I was already a Bulldog at Thomson, but I wanted to stay one in college.”
Davis picked up his scholarship offer from Georgia at the Mark Richt Camp on June 17. Richt told Davis that the staff had wanted to offer earlier but decided to wait until they could do so face to face. Georgia immediately went into his top three schools, alongside Florida and South Carolina. After visiting each, Davis says he is happy to play close to home.
And the visit this weekend apparently made quite an impression.
"I just felt like I was at home, so I called John Lilly and Mark Richt and committed to Georgia," Davis said. “I told them I was already a Bulldog at Thomson, but I wanted to stay one in college.”
Davis picked up his scholarship offer from Georgia at the Mark Richt Camp on June 17. Richt told Davis that the staff had wanted to offer earlier but decided to wait until they could do so face to face. Georgia immediately went into his top three schools, alongside Florida and South Carolina. After visiting each, Davis says he is happy to play close to home.
And the visit this weekend apparently made quite an impression.
Sixty-three 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.
63. Sheldon Dawson
Fall forecast: Dawson is part of a fairly large group of freshman signees who have a chance to play this fall because of openings at their respective positions. While freshmen like tight end Ty Smith, tailback Keith Marshall and offensive tackle John Theus are all but guaranteed playing time, Georgia’s secondary depth concerns -- particularly early in the season -- could help Dawson avoid a redshirt.
63. Sheldon Dawson
Freshman, Cornerback
5-foot-11, 180 pounds
Fall forecast: Dawson is part of a fairly large group of freshman signees who have a chance to play this fall because of openings at their respective positions. While freshmen like tight end Ty Smith, tailback Keith Marshall and offensive tackle John Theus are all but guaranteed playing time, Georgia’s secondary depth concerns -- particularly early in the season -- could help Dawson avoid a redshirt.
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia’s football players are just getting started with their summer conditioning and informal passing sessions, but the buzz surrounding those workouts is a bit different this year.
As members of a team that is sure to enter the season with a top-10 ranking and as a favorite to win the SEC East, the Bulldogs can pave the way for a successful season by beginning to build a strong knowledge and conditioning base now.
“Right now it’s early in the summer, but I think that everybody’s really excited about not only the season, but preparing for the season and I hope that they follow through with what I think they want to get accomplished,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “Because if they’re in great condition and they’re stronger and they’re quicker as a team, it’s going to be a great way to start our camp. Then it’s going to be our job as coaches to try to have the right amount of contact, the right amount of conditioning and those types of things.”
As members of a team that is sure to enter the season with a top-10 ranking and as a favorite to win the SEC East, the Bulldogs can pave the way for a successful season by beginning to build a strong knowledge and conditioning base now.
“Right now it’s early in the summer, but I think that everybody’s really excited about not only the season, but preparing for the season and I hope that they follow through with what I think they want to get accomplished,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “Because if they’re in great condition and they’re stronger and they’re quicker as a team, it’s going to be a great way to start our camp. Then it’s going to be our job as coaches to try to have the right amount of contact, the right amount of conditioning and those types of things.”
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To get ready for the March 20 start of Georgia’s spring football practice, DawgNation will do a position breakdown each day and feature one player to watch at that position. Today we look at tight ends and Arthur Lynch.
ATHENS, Ga. -- The risk for a tight end committing to a program like Georgia, with such a strong history at the position, is that it becomes easy to slip through the cracks.
Arthur Lynch struggled with that reality early in his Georgia career with other highly touted players ahead of him on the depth chart. This fall the fourth-year junior will finally get his chance to become a key contributor.
ATHENS, Ga. -- The risk for a tight end committing to a program like Georgia, with such a strong history at the position, is that it becomes easy to slip through the cracks.
Arthur Lynch struggled with that reality early in his Georgia career with other highly touted players ahead of him on the depth chart. This fall the fourth-year junior will finally get his chance to become a key contributor.
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To get ready for the March 20 start of Georgia’s spring football practice, DawgNation will do a position breakdown each day. Today we analyze the tight ends. On Friday we will look at the offensive line.
2011 starters (stats): Orson Charles, Jr. (45 catches, 574 yards, 5 TD)
Key losses: Charles; Aron White, 2011 senior (9-101, 4 TD)
Reserves (stats): Arthur Lynch, Jr. (0 catches); Jay Rome, RFr. (Redshirted)
New faces: Rome -- the nation’s No. 18 overall prospect and top tight end on the ESPNU 150 in 2011 -- redshirted last season because of the Bulldogs’ depth at his position. He figures to contribute immediately, as could Ty Smith (Moultrie, Ga./Colquitt County), who signed in February and should arrive in the summer.
Spring goal: Charles and White were just about the only Georgia tight ends to catch a pass through the last three seasons. Lynch caught the only two passes of his career as a freshman in 2009, totaling 17 yards, before redshirting in 2010 to gain extra class separation between himself and Charles.
The Georgia Bulldogs are hoping to add another top-10 class with head coach Mark Richt, and the 2012 class is ranked No. 5 in the ESPNU rankings.
Running back Keith Marshall (Raleigh, N.C./Millbrook), quarterback Faton Bauta (West Palm Beach, Fla./Dwyer) and offensive lineman Mark Beard (Coffeyville, Kan./Coffeyville CC) have already enrolled and are on campus. Sixteen prospects are committed to Georgia, with nine others still being actively recruited by the Bulldogs.
DawgNation has you covered on when to expect each prospect to sign his letter of intent and add his name to the Bulldogs' 2012 recruiting class.
Commits
DT John Atkins (Thomson, Ga./Thomson) 8 a.m.
Four-star Georgia commitment Ty Smith (Moultrie, Ga./Colquitt County) chose the Bulldogs over the Florida Gators last March, giving head coach Mark Richt and assistant coach John Lilly one of the most productive tight ends in the Southeast. Through the last two years, Smith has reeled in 88 catches for 1,268 yards under Packers head coach Rush Probst, and he hopes to raise the bar even higher during his career in Athens.
“I know this might make some people laugh, but my goal at Georgia is to be the first tight end to win the Heisman Trophy,” Smith said. “I think I can do that in Georgia’s offense.”
Smith took his official visit to Georgia this past weekend, and though he enjoyed learning about his potential on the gridiron, it was his academic future that had him most excited on this visit to Athens.
“I know this might make some people laugh, but my goal at Georgia is to be the first tight end to win the Heisman Trophy,” Smith said. “I think I can do that in Georgia’s offense.”
Smith took his official visit to Georgia this past weekend, and though he enjoyed learning about his potential on the gridiron, it was his academic future that had him most excited on this visit to Athens.
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The University of Georgia is set to host four official visitors this weekend, and will have a target on campus Monday as well. DawgNation takes a quick look at who will be on campus in Athens over the next few days.
The top prospect in Georgia, linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons (Valdosta, Ga./Lowndes), will arrive today for his second official visit, with the Gators getting the first last month. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound ESPNU 150 target is also considering visiting Florida State and Louisville, but Florida and Georgia, the first two programs to offer Harvey-Clemons, are currently considered the frontrunners for the highly touted outside linebacker.
Harvey-Clemons, the No. 23 player in the nation, finished the season with 105 tackles, three sacks and three interceptions on defense. If the Bulldogs are able to reel in Harvey-Clemons, it would give defensive coordinator Todd Grantham a pair of All-American outside linebackers to feature in his 3-4 scheme, with Under Armour All-American Jordan Jenkins (Hamilton, Ga./Harris County) committing to Georgia earlier this week. Harvey-Clemons was an Army All-American Bowl selection. Look for Harvey-Clemons to make his decision on signing day.
The top prospect in Georgia, linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons (Valdosta, Ga./Lowndes), will arrive today for his second official visit, with the Gators getting the first last month. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound ESPNU 150 target is also considering visiting Florida State and Louisville, but Florida and Georgia, the first two programs to offer Harvey-Clemons, are currently considered the frontrunners for the highly touted outside linebacker.
Harvey-Clemons, the No. 23 player in the nation, finished the season with 105 tackles, three sacks and three interceptions on defense. If the Bulldogs are able to reel in Harvey-Clemons, it would give defensive coordinator Todd Grantham a pair of All-American outside linebackers to feature in his 3-4 scheme, with Under Armour All-American Jordan Jenkins (Hamilton, Ga./Harris County) committing to Georgia earlier this week. Harvey-Clemons was an Army All-American Bowl selection. Look for Harvey-Clemons to make his decision on signing day.
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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.