Georgia Bulldogs: Will Friend
Isaiah Wynn (St. Petersburg, Fla./Lakewood) has not been shy about telling the world he wants to play in the SEC.
Well that presents a little bit of a problem for Florida State. As an in-state target at a position of relative need, Wynn is naturally high on their board.
But does he have the Seminoles high on his?
Well that presents a little bit of a problem for Florida State. As an in-state target at a position of relative need, Wynn is naturally high on their board.
But does he have the Seminoles high on his?
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Offensive tackle Dyshon Sims (Valdosta, Ga./Lowndes) awoke from a post-practice nap to find out that a longtime dreams of his had come true.
“I was actually sleeping around 9:30 when I got an alert on my phone from my Facebook account that I had gotten a message,” Sims said. “It was from the offensive line coach, Coach [Will] Friend. So I called him and he said they were offering me a full scholarship to come play at the University of Georgia.”
The 6-foot-4, 278-pound junior was taken aback.
“I was actually sleeping around 9:30 when I got an alert on my phone from my Facebook account that I had gotten a message,” Sims said. “It was from the offensive line coach, Coach [Will] Friend. So I called him and he said they were offering me a full scholarship to come play at the University of Georgia.”
The 6-foot-4, 278-pound junior was taken aback.
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GEORGIA BULLDOGS
2012 record: 12-2
2012 conference record: 7-1 (first, SEC East)
Returning starters: Offense: 10; defense: 4; kicker/punter: 2
Top returners: QB Aaron Murray, RB Todd Gurley, CB Damian Swann, WR Malcolm Mitchell, OLB Jordan Jenkins, OL Kenarious Gates, OG Chris Burnette, ILB Amarlo Herrera
Key losses: OLB Jarvis Jones, LB Alec Ogletree, S Shawn Williams, S Bacarri Rambo, NG John Jenkins, CB Sanders Commings, WR Tavarres King
2012 statistical leaders (* - returner)
Rushing: Gurley * (1,385 yards)
Passing: Murray * (3,893 yards)
Receiving: King (950 yards)
Tackles: Alec Ogletree (111)
Sacks: Jones (14.5)
Interceptions: Swann * (4)
Spring answers
1. Safety starters: With 2011 All-Americans Rambo and Williams completing their college careers, the Bulldogs entered the spring with two big holes at safety. It appears sophomore Josh Harvey-Clemons and January enrollee Tray Matthews have all but claimed the starting positions, however. Harvey-Clemons was named the Bulldogs’ defensive MVP of spring practice, and Matthews generated the most buzz of anyone this spring with his ability to deliver crushing hits. Georgia’s inexperience along the back end of the defense is not ideal, but the two youngsters could become a pleasant surprise.
2012 record: 12-2
2012 conference record: 7-1 (first, SEC East)
Returning starters: Offense: 10; defense: 4; kicker/punter: 2
Top returners: QB Aaron Murray, RB Todd Gurley, CB Damian Swann, WR Malcolm Mitchell, OLB Jordan Jenkins, OL Kenarious Gates, OG Chris Burnette, ILB Amarlo Herrera
Key losses: OLB Jarvis Jones, LB Alec Ogletree, S Shawn Williams, S Bacarri Rambo, NG John Jenkins, CB Sanders Commings, WR Tavarres King
2012 statistical leaders (* - returner)
Rushing: Gurley * (1,385 yards)
Passing: Murray * (3,893 yards)
Receiving: King (950 yards)
Tackles: Alec Ogletree (111)
Sacks: Jones (14.5)
Interceptions: Swann * (4)
Spring answers
1. Safety starters: With 2011 All-Americans Rambo and Williams completing their college careers, the Bulldogs entered the spring with two big holes at safety. It appears sophomore Josh Harvey-Clemons and January enrollee Tray Matthews have all but claimed the starting positions, however. Harvey-Clemons was named the Bulldogs’ defensive MVP of spring practice, and Matthews generated the most buzz of anyone this spring with his ability to deliver crushing hits. Georgia’s inexperience along the back end of the defense is not ideal, but the two youngsters could become a pleasant surprise.
ATHENS, Ga. -- With the spring evaluation period in full swing, Georgia’s football coaches continue to work on assembling next year’s signing class.
This week in DawgNation, we took a look at some prospects who might receive scholarship offers from Mark Richt’s staff in the coming days and weeks. We also heard from the head coach himself as he discussed some of the recruiting issues facing college staffs these days.
As for specific prospects, we provided updates this week on several players, including:
We also had our own Kipp Adams appear on a new video feature called “SEC Official Visit,” where he discussed the new commitments -- ESPN 150 honorees Sony Michel and Jeb Blazevich -- who joined Georgia’s 2014 class last week.
It was quiet on the team side with players preparing for summer and taking their final exams this week. We still delivered a few team-related stories from both the local and national perspective.
At the beginning of the week, just after the conclusion of last week’s NFL draft, we looked forward to next year and examined some of Georgia’s top prospects for the 2014 draft. Along those lines, ESPN Insider Brock Huard also previewed next year’s draft, naming Bulldogs quarterback Aaron Murray as one of the top five quarterback prospects for next year.
ESPN Insider’s Travis Haney threw compliments toward another Bulldog, naming outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins as one of his top candidates to enjoy a breakout season this fall.
We also reviewed one of the big talking points of Georgia's spring practice -- that Georgia will have more game-ready offensive linemen capable of rotating this fall -- and examined whether position coach Will Friend might follow through with that possibility this fall.
We also rehashed a couple of interesting conversations with defensive end Ray Drew and safety Connor Norman as we continued our “Spring Cleaning” series and reviewed the previous weeks’ post-spring position reviews with an all-inclusive recap.
This week in DawgNation, we took a look at some prospects who might receive scholarship offers from Mark Richt’s staff in the coming days and weeks. We also heard from the head coach himself as he discussed some of the recruiting issues facing college staffs these days.
As for specific prospects, we provided updates this week on several players, including:
- ESPN 150 guard Isaiah Wynn (St. Petersburg, Fla./Lakewood Senior)
- ESPN 150 receiver Saeed Blacknall (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan)
- 2016 offensive tackle Ben Cleveland (Toccoa, Ga./Stephens County)
We also had our own Kipp Adams appear on a new video feature called “SEC Official Visit,” where he discussed the new commitments -- ESPN 150 honorees Sony Michel and Jeb Blazevich -- who joined Georgia’s 2014 class last week.
It was quiet on the team side with players preparing for summer and taking their final exams this week. We still delivered a few team-related stories from both the local and national perspective.
At the beginning of the week, just after the conclusion of last week’s NFL draft, we looked forward to next year and examined some of Georgia’s top prospects for the 2014 draft. Along those lines, ESPN Insider Brock Huard also previewed next year’s draft, naming Bulldogs quarterback Aaron Murray as one of the top five quarterback prospects for next year.
ESPN Insider’s Travis Haney threw compliments toward another Bulldog, naming outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins as one of his top candidates to enjoy a breakout season this fall.
We also reviewed one of the big talking points of Georgia's spring practice -- that Georgia will have more game-ready offensive linemen capable of rotating this fall -- and examined whether position coach Will Friend might follow through with that possibility this fall.
We also rehashed a couple of interesting conversations with defensive end Ray Drew and safety Connor Norman as we continued our “Spring Cleaning” series and reviewed the previous weeks’ post-spring position reviews with an all-inclusive recap.
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Over the last two weeks, we reviewed the competition for playing time at each position on Georgia’s depth chart and identified a player to watch at each position.
A defense that lost 12 significant players will be a focal point well into the fall, and it was in our post-spring recaps. Let’s take a look at the defensive positions first:
A defense that lost 12 significant players will be a focal point well into the fall, and it was in our post-spring recaps. Let’s take a look at the defensive positions first:
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Editor’s note: Over the next two weeks, we’ll take a closer look at each of Georgia’s position groups at the end of spring practice. Today we examine the offensive line:
Returning players/stats: Chris Burnette, Sr. (12 starts in 2012); Kenarious Gates, Sr. (14 starts); Dallas Lee, Sr. (14 starts); David Andrews, Jr. (14 starts); Mark Beard, Jr. (Two starts); John Theus, So. (14 starts); Austin Long, Sr.; Watts Dantzler, Jr.; Zach DeBell, So.; Hunter Long, Jr.; Xzavier Ward, So.; Greg Pyke, RFr.
Newcomers: Brandon Kublanow, Fr. (ESPN's No. 145 overall prospect in 2013, No. 2 center. Expected to enroll this summer); Aulden Bynum, Fr. (No. 47 OT. Enrolled in January); Josh Cardiello, Fr. (No. 21 OG. Enrolled in January); DeVondre Seymour, Fr. (No. 14 OT. Could enroll this summer)
Returning players/stats: Chris Burnette, Sr. (12 starts in 2012); Kenarious Gates, Sr. (14 starts); Dallas Lee, Sr. (14 starts); David Andrews, Jr. (14 starts); Mark Beard, Jr. (Two starts); John Theus, So. (14 starts); Austin Long, Sr.; Watts Dantzler, Jr.; Zach DeBell, So.; Hunter Long, Jr.; Xzavier Ward, So.; Greg Pyke, RFr.
Newcomers: Brandon Kublanow, Fr. (ESPN's No. 145 overall prospect in 2013, No. 2 center. Expected to enroll this summer); Aulden Bynum, Fr. (No. 47 OT. Enrolled in January); Josh Cardiello, Fr. (No. 21 OG. Enrolled in January); DeVondre Seymour, Fr. (No. 14 OT. Could enroll this summer)
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Although he started every game at right tackle last season as a true freshman, that doesn’t mean John Theus will remain there this fall.
Offensive line coach Will Friend wasn’t ready to proclaim him a starter at the end of spring practice, at all, but a more reasonable question is probably whether the sophomore starts at left or right tackle. Because it would be a considerable upset if Theus loses a starting spot at any point in his career.
Last season, Theus became the third true freshman offensive tackle to start Georgia’s season opener since freshmen became eligible to play in 1973. And while he wasn’t perfect, he won multiple freshman All-America rosters and validated the excitement that accompanied his signing with Georgia more than a year ago.
Offensive line coach Will Friend wasn’t ready to proclaim him a starter at the end of spring practice, at all, but a more reasonable question is probably whether the sophomore starts at left or right tackle. Because it would be a considerable upset if Theus loses a starting spot at any point in his career.
Last season, Theus became the third true freshman offensive tackle to start Georgia’s season opener since freshmen became eligible to play in 1973. And while he wasn’t perfect, he won multiple freshman All-America rosters and validated the excitement that accompanied his signing with Georgia more than a year ago.
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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.”
Spring questions: Will early enrollees play? 
March, 5, 2013
Mar 5
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David Ching | ESPN.com
Editor’s note: Each day this week, we’ll ask a question that Georgia’s football team faces this spring as it moves toward the 2013 season. Today’s question: How many of the Bulldogs’ 13 midyear enrollees will play this fall?
ATHENS, Ga. -- While predicting which freshmen will play this fall is obviously an inexact science this far ahead of the regular season, Georgia coach Mark Richt on Saturday shared an easy explanation of how quickly his staff must bring along certain members of their 13-man class of midyear enrollees during spring practice.
If they play a position of particular need, Richt said, their learning curve naturally will accelerate.
ATHENS, Ga. -- While predicting which freshmen will play this fall is obviously an inexact science this far ahead of the regular season, Georgia coach Mark Richt on Saturday shared an easy explanation of how quickly his staff must bring along certain members of their 13-man class of midyear enrollees during spring practice.
If they play a position of particular need, Richt said, their learning curve naturally will accelerate.
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Junior offensive tackle David Sharpe has not been thinking about football lately. Leading up to Thursday night’s Florida Class AAA basketball championship between his Providence High School Stallions and the Coral Springs Christian Crusaders, the talented two-sport athlete has let his coach field all of his football recruiting calls. And there have been a lot of them.
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UGA spring preview: 5 players to watch
February, 28, 2013
Feb 28
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By
David Ching | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- As Georgia prepares to open spring practice on Saturday, the Bulldogs should have considerable competition for available playing time -- particularly on defense.
Here are five players worth watching between now and the G-Day game on April 6:
1. Josh Harvey-Clemons: The rising sophomore will essentially be a rookie when he jumps into the competition at both outside linebacker and safety this spring. He’ll play both positions this fall based on matchups according to coach Mark Richt and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. Harvey-Clemons -- ESPN’s No. 1 outside linebacker in the 2012 signing class -- played almost exclusively in a nickelback role last season, so he has a lot to learn. His athleticism will give him the opportunity to become one of the Bulldogs’ most dynamic playmakers at his new spots.
Here are five players worth watching between now and the G-Day game on April 6:
1. Josh Harvey-Clemons: The rising sophomore will essentially be a rookie when he jumps into the competition at both outside linebacker and safety this spring. He’ll play both positions this fall based on matchups according to coach Mark Richt and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. Harvey-Clemons -- ESPN’s No. 1 outside linebacker in the 2012 signing class -- played almost exclusively in a nickelback role last season, so he has a lot to learn. His athleticism will give him the opportunity to become one of the Bulldogs’ most dynamic playmakers at his new spots.
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UGA spring preview: 5 positions to watch
February, 28, 2013
Feb 28
7:00
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By
David Ching | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- Coaches always emphasize the importance of competition during spring practice, and there will certainly be more than enough at Georgia once the Bulldogs start spring drills on March 2.
The competition on the defensive side of the ball will be the story of the spring, as coordinator Todd Grantham and company work to find replacements for the 12 departed regulars who figured heavily into the Bulldogs’ defensive plans last fall.
Here are five positions that bear close watching this spring:
The competition on the defensive side of the ball will be the story of the spring, as coordinator Todd Grantham and company work to find replacements for the 12 departed regulars who figured heavily into the Bulldogs’ defensive plans last fall.
Here are five positions that bear close watching this spring:
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UGA offer an honor for Watch List OT
February, 26, 2013
Feb 26
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Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
The Georgia coaching staff might have missed on signing an ESPN 150 offensive tackle in the Class of 2013, but instead of lamenting what could have been, offensive line coach Will Friend is aggressively searching for his next top target.
In the last 24 hours, Friend has extended three offers to talented juniors in the Southeast.
In the last 24 hours, Friend has extended three offers to talented juniors in the Southeast.
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SEC programs zero in on Watch List OG
February, 19, 2013
Feb 19
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Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
ESPN Watch List offensive guard Jerald Foster (Lincoln, Neb./Southeast) was slightly surprised on Monday when he was told that coaches from the University of Georgia wanted to talk to him. He had already heard from Alabama earlier that day and now the Bulldogs were looking to speak with him. Foster is no longer surprised when a new school wants to talk to him as he already has offers from Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Ohio and Wake Forest.
“[Georgia] said they liked my film and they gave me an offer,” Foster said. “It was a great feeling.”
Foster plans some research into the Bulldogs program.
“[Georgia] said they liked my film and they gave me an offer,” Foster said. “It was a great feeling.”
Foster plans some research into the Bulldogs program.
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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.