Georgia Bulldogs: Arthur Lynch
UGA could have another big draft in 2014 
April, 29, 2013
Apr 29
12:17
PM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- Fourteen former Georgia players punched their ticket into professional football over the last few days, as eight Bulldogs were picked in the NFL draft and six more signed as free agents.
The eight selections -- linebacker Jarvis Jones (Pittsburgh), linebacker Alec Ogletree (St. Louis), defensive lineman John Jenkins (New Orleans), safety Shawn Williams (Cincinnati), receiver Tavarres King (Denver), cornerback Sanders Commings (Kansas City), defensive end Cornelius Washington (Chicago) and safety Bacarri Rambo (Washington) -- tied the program record for the most in one year.
Add in the free agent deals for receiver Marlon Brown (Houston), nose guard Kwame Geathers (San Diego), linebacker Michael Gilliard (St. Louis), defensive end Abry Jones (Jacksonville), linebacker Christian Robinson (St. Louis) and cornerback Branden Smith (Tampa Bay), and Georgia will be among the best-represented college programs in the NFL rookie camps that will take place over the next couple of weeks.
The numerous NFL departures naturally lead us to begin looking toward next year and how it might shape up for Bulldogs in the draft. Although this will be a smaller group of rising seniors than the ones who are now beginning their professional careers, the number of UGA draft picks in 2014 still could rank among the top college programs.
Among Georgia seniors who are most likely to be picked:
1. Quarterback Aaron Murray: Murray might have been a valuable prospect in the 2013 draft, because of this year’s underwhelming quarterback draft class. He still figures to rank among the top players at his position in the 2014 class, though, particularly if he posts another season with 3,000-plus passing yards and etches his name atop the SEC passing record book, as expected. He’ll have to contend with quarterbacks like Alabama’s AJ McCarron, Virginia Tech’s Logan Thomas, LSU’s Zach Mettenberger and Clemson’s Tajh Boyd for top billing, but a big senior season would keep him in the conversation among the best players at the position.
The eight selections -- linebacker Jarvis Jones (Pittsburgh), linebacker Alec Ogletree (St. Louis), defensive lineman John Jenkins (New Orleans), safety Shawn Williams (Cincinnati), receiver Tavarres King (Denver), cornerback Sanders Commings (Kansas City), defensive end Cornelius Washington (Chicago) and safety Bacarri Rambo (Washington) -- tied the program record for the most in one year.
Add in the free agent deals for receiver Marlon Brown (Houston), nose guard Kwame Geathers (San Diego), linebacker Michael Gilliard (St. Louis), defensive end Abry Jones (Jacksonville), linebacker Christian Robinson (St. Louis) and cornerback Branden Smith (Tampa Bay), and Georgia will be among the best-represented college programs in the NFL rookie camps that will take place over the next couple of weeks.
The numerous NFL departures naturally lead us to begin looking toward next year and how it might shape up for Bulldogs in the draft. Although this will be a smaller group of rising seniors than the ones who are now beginning their professional careers, the number of UGA draft picks in 2014 still could rank among the top college programs.
Among Georgia seniors who are most likely to be picked:
1. Quarterback Aaron Murray: Murray might have been a valuable prospect in the 2013 draft, because of this year’s underwhelming quarterback draft class. He still figures to rank among the top players at his position in the 2014 class, though, particularly if he posts another season with 3,000-plus passing yards and etches his name atop the SEC passing record book, as expected. He’ll have to contend with quarterbacks like Alabama’s AJ McCarron, Virginia Tech’s Logan Thomas, LSU’s Zach Mettenberger and Clemson’s Tajh Boyd for top billing, but a big senior season would keep him in the conversation among the best players at the position.
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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 couple of weeks, we'll clean out our notebook from Georgia's spring practice to tell the stories we didn't get to before the Bulldogs' G-Day game. We started with fullback Quayvon Hicks earlier this week. Today we catch up with tight end Jay Rome.
ATHENS, Ga. -- Jay Rome and Arthur Lynch established themselves late last season as weapons in Georgia’s passing game. Now Rome has an ambitious goal for the duo entering their second season as the Bulldogs’ primary options at the position.
ATHENS, Ga. -- Jay Rome and Arthur Lynch established themselves late last season as weapons in Georgia’s passing game. Now Rome has an ambitious goal for the duo entering their second season as the Bulldogs’ primary options at the position.
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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 tight ends:
Returning players/stats: Arthur Lynch, Sr. (12 starts, 24 catches, 431 yards, 3 TDs); Jay Rome, So. (one start, 11-151, 2 TDs); Ty Flournoy-Smith, So. (no catches)
AP Photo/Alex MenendezArthur Lynch became a bigger threat for the Bulldogs in the second half of 2012 and is UGA's second-leading returning receiver.Newcomers: Jordan Davis, Fr. (ESPN No. 15 tight end, expected to enroll this summer)
Key storyline: As with Wednesday’s receiver to watch, Chris Conley, Georgia tight ends Lynch and Rome started to play a much larger role in the passing game in the second half of last season once injuries created opportunities for more balls to come their way. Now established in the passing game, Lynch and Rome could build on last season’s 582 combined receiving yards by getting off to a quicker start as receivers this fall.
Returning players/stats: Arthur Lynch, Sr. (12 starts, 24 catches, 431 yards, 3 TDs); Jay Rome, So. (one start, 11-151, 2 TDs); Ty Flournoy-Smith, So. (no catches)
AP Photo/Alex MenendezArthur Lynch became a bigger threat for the Bulldogs in the second half of 2012 and is UGA's second-leading returning receiver.Key storyline: As with Wednesday’s receiver to watch, Chris Conley, Georgia tight ends Lynch and Rome started to play a much larger role in the passing game in the second half of last season once injuries created opportunities for more balls to come their way. Now established in the passing game, Lynch and Rome could build on last season’s 582 combined receiving yards by getting off to a quicker start as receivers this fall.
ATHENS, Ga. -- At the midway point of last season, many Georgia fans were asking why the Bulldogs’ tight ends -- and Jay Rome in particular -- weren’t playing a bigger role in the offense.
Rome caught only two passes in the first eight games last fall as a redshirt freshman, playing almost exclusively in a blocking role. That was not what anyone expected from the player whom ESPN rated as the nation’s top tight end prospect when he signed with the Bulldogs in 2011.
Rome caught only two passes in the first eight games last fall as a redshirt freshman, playing almost exclusively in a blocking role. That was not what anyone expected from the player whom ESPN rated as the nation’s top tight end prospect when he signed with the Bulldogs in 2011.
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Hutson Mason is not a rookie, but he felt like one in some ways during Saturday’s G-Day game.
After redshirting last fall -- his third season in college -- to gain a year of separation between himself and fourth-year starting quarterback Aaron Murray, Mason had to shake off some jitters entering his first competitive game in a year.
“Coming into this, I was treating this like a game for me because it’s been so long that I’ve really emotionally and mentally been like, ‘Hey man, this is game day,’ ” said Mason, who led the Black team to a comeback 23-17 victory over the Red. “I wanted to kind of see how my body would react being out there with 40,000 people. It’s not quite like game day, but you kind of get your body back into that feeling and getting ready.”
It was not a perfect day for the redshirt junior. The Black punted on his first three drives and he scrambled and threw an interception to freshman linebacker Reggie Carter at midfield on his fourth.
“I thought that the pick earlier was the worst decision that I’ve made at Georgia, but definitely this spring,” Mason said. “That was just pathetic. I’ve got to throw the ball away.”
But Mason improved as the day progressed. He threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Jonathon Rumph in the second quarter and drove the Black to two field goals in the fourth quarter to provide the six-point margin of victory.
Mason completed 16 for 27 passes for 191 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
“We slung it around today pretty well and we had a juco guy in Rumph, so he doesn’t really know what he’s doing,” Mason said. “So I was really just happy for the guys to step up and make the most of their opportunities when they needed to.”
G-Day all-stars: Every spring game has its surprise standouts.
After redshirting last fall -- his third season in college -- to gain a year of separation between himself and fourth-year starting quarterback Aaron Murray, Mason had to shake off some jitters entering his first competitive game in a year.
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Dale Zanine/US PresswireQuarterback Hutson Mason redshirted last season and treated G-Day like a comeback.
Dale Zanine/US PresswireQuarterback Hutson Mason redshirted last season and treated G-Day like a comeback.It was not a perfect day for the redshirt junior. The Black punted on his first three drives and he scrambled and threw an interception to freshman linebacker Reggie Carter at midfield on his fourth.
“I thought that the pick earlier was the worst decision that I’ve made at Georgia, but definitely this spring,” Mason said. “That was just pathetic. I’ve got to throw the ball away.”
But Mason improved as the day progressed. He threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Jonathon Rumph in the second quarter and drove the Black to two field goals in the fourth quarter to provide the six-point margin of victory.
Mason completed 16 for 27 passes for 191 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
“We slung it around today pretty well and we had a juco guy in Rumph, so he doesn’t really know what he’s doing,” Mason said. “So I was really just happy for the guys to step up and make the most of their opportunities when they needed to.”
G-Day all-stars: Every spring game has its surprise standouts.
ATHENS, Ga. -- Aaron Murray and Arthur Lynch have been teammates with 18 NFL draft picks -- with more to come in this month’s draft -- since becoming Bulldogs in 2009, and that has helped them develop a feel for who has some talent.
When Murray, Georgia’s starting quarterback, and Lynch, the first-team tight end, are not involved in a drill during practice, the longtime roommates often discuss the team’s stars in waiting.
“Especially with the young guys,” Lynch said, “because you’re definitely intrigued to see what they have to offer and what they bring to the table.”
Their latest source of entertainment is watching unflappable freshman quarterback Brice Ramsey, who enrolled at UGA in January.
“[Lynch] loves Brice. He thinks Brice has the most swag ever,” Murray said with a laugh. “Brice does have some swag, I’m not going to lie. Brice just walks around like, ‘Hey I’m the man.’ ... He’s very cool, calm, collected. He’s very chill. He’s Joe Cool out there, and Artie and I just sit back and watch him and laugh like, ‘This kid doesn’t get fazed by anything.’
“He’s just out there and playing ball and looks good. He’s a very confident kid, throws the ball well and we just sit back and laugh and watch him play. It’s very entertaining to us for some reason.”
Ramsey’s demeanor immediately intrigued Murray, who often remarks about how nervous he was when he first took the practice field as a 2009 early enrollee. Having to throw against a talented SEC defense after getting only two months to absorb a complex college playbook would tend to generate some anxiety.
Perhaps that’s why Ramsey’s coolness intrigues his veteran teammates so much.
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Tom Hauck for ESPN.comDespite struggling in two scrimmages this spring, Brice Ramsey is showing his potential to Georgia teammates.
Tom Hauck for ESPN.comDespite struggling in two scrimmages this spring, Brice Ramsey is showing his potential to Georgia teammates.“Especially with the young guys,” Lynch said, “because you’re definitely intrigued to see what they have to offer and what they bring to the table.”
Their latest source of entertainment is watching unflappable freshman quarterback Brice Ramsey, who enrolled at UGA in January.
“[Lynch] loves Brice. He thinks Brice has the most swag ever,” Murray said with a laugh. “Brice does have some swag, I’m not going to lie. Brice just walks around like, ‘Hey I’m the man.’ ... He’s very cool, calm, collected. He’s very chill. He’s Joe Cool out there, and Artie and I just sit back and watch him and laugh like, ‘This kid doesn’t get fazed by anything.’
“He’s just out there and playing ball and looks good. He’s a very confident kid, throws the ball well and we just sit back and laugh and watch him play. It’s very entertaining to us for some reason.”
Ramsey’s demeanor immediately intrigued Murray, who often remarks about how nervous he was when he first took the practice field as a 2009 early enrollee. Having to throw against a talented SEC defense after getting only two months to absorb a complex college playbook would tend to generate some anxiety.
Perhaps that’s why Ramsey’s coolness intrigues his veteran teammates so much.
ATHENS, Ga. -- With G-Day coming up this Saturday, fans will get to see the new Georgia defense and possibly a reconstituted offensive line. The annual spring scrimmage in Sanford Stadium will likely answer a lot of questions, but in the meantime we will answer a few of them here in this edition of the DawgNation Mailbag.
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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: Statistically, Georgia enjoyed one of the finest offensive seasons in school history last fall. What must a group that returns 10 starters do to improve in 2013?
ATHENS, Ga. -- No Georgia offense has ever scored more frequently than the 2012 bunch that averaged 37.8 points per game and ranked among the nation’s most explosive units.
That sets the bar awfully high for a 2013 offense that returns 10 starters, but they know they must be even more ambitious this offseason if they are to match that production, much less exceed it.
ATHENS, Ga. -- No Georgia offense has ever scored more frequently than the 2012 bunch that averaged 37.8 points per game and ranked among the nation’s most explosive units.
That sets the bar awfully high for a 2013 offense that returns 10 starters, but they know they must be even more ambitious this offseason if they are to match that production, much less exceed it.
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TE Smith charged with filing false report
February, 23, 2013
Feb 23
11:06
AM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia tight end Ty Flournoy-Smith was arrested late Friday night and accused of falsely reporting textbooks as stolen, only to have actually sold them back to a local bookstore, according to police.
“He filed a police report stating his books had been stolen to the police department,” UGA police chief Jimmy Williamson said. “The police department started investigating this crime to see if we could find his books or find the responsible party, and we did. We found out that he was the one that sold his books to a local book-buy store and he had filed a report with us falsely.”
Smith was booked into Athens-Clarke County jail at 10:56 p.m. on Friday and charged with false report of a crime. He was released at 12:41 a.m. on $1,000 bond.
Williamson said Flournoy-Smith filed the report earlier this week and his detectives visited a number of area bookstores in order to track them down. Once they located the books, Williamson said, their interviews with the store clerk and with Flournoy-Smith led them to believe he had been the one to sell back the books.
They sought and were granted a warrant and will attempt to prosecute because of the waste of resources involved in the investigation, Williamson said.
“This situation here, it appeared that he needed money and he sold the books back,” Williamson said. “The books are issued to him, I guess athletics can say more about it, through the program. When there’s a loss, he has to make them aware. And to cover up what he’d done, he had to file a police report.
“If somebody files a report with us and we have someone assigned to investigate it and we do everything we can to find it, that’s credible and real. There’s a lot of resources spent on it and all it was was one lie to cover another lie, so we prosecuted. When we figure out someone knowingly falsifies a police report, then we prosecute.”
The rising sophomore appeared in eight games last season, but did not register a catch while playing behind junior Arthur Lynch and redshirt freshman Jay Rome.
“He filed a police report stating his books had been stolen to the police department,” UGA police chief Jimmy Williamson said. “The police department started investigating this crime to see if we could find his books or find the responsible party, and we did. We found out that he was the one that sold his books to a local book-buy store and he had filed a report with us falsely.”
Smith was booked into Athens-Clarke County jail at 10:56 p.m. on Friday and charged with false report of a crime. He was released at 12:41 a.m. on $1,000 bond.
Williamson said Flournoy-Smith filed the report earlier this week and his detectives visited a number of area bookstores in order to track them down. Once they located the books, Williamson said, their interviews with the store clerk and with Flournoy-Smith led them to believe he had been the one to sell back the books.
They sought and were granted a warrant and will attempt to prosecute because of the waste of resources involved in the investigation, Williamson said.
“This situation here, it appeared that he needed money and he sold the books back,” Williamson said. “The books are issued to him, I guess athletics can say more about it, through the program. When there’s a loss, he has to make them aware. And to cover up what he’d done, he had to file a police report.
“If somebody files a report with us and we have someone assigned to investigate it and we do everything we can to find it, that’s credible and real. There’s a lot of resources spent on it and all it was was one lie to cover another lie, so we prosecuted. When we figure out someone knowingly falsifies a police report, then we prosecute.”
The rising sophomore appeared in eight games last season, but did not register a catch while playing behind junior Arthur Lynch and redshirt freshman Jay Rome.
With signing day 2013 behind us, it’s time to turn our attention to 2014 recruits. Here are five players Georgia will be targeting for next year’s class:
RB Sony Michel (Plantation, Fla./American Heritage)
RB Sony Michel (Plantation, Fla./American Heritage)
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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: Tight end Jordan Davis, Thomson, Ga./Thomson | 6-foot-4, 225 pounds
Committed: July 29, 2012
Vitals: Tight end Jordan Davis, Thomson, Ga./Thomson | 6-foot-4, 225 pounds
Committed: July 29, 2012
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ATHENS, Ga. -- In reviewing Georgia’s seven recruiting classes since 2006 -- when ESPN entered the recruiting game -- last week, we opined that the Bulldogs’ 2009 haul was the best of the bunch. As the various member sites from Recruiting Nation collectively review their schools’ 2009 classes today, let’s take a closer look at what made that group so special.
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ATHENS, Ga. -- Let’s take a look at three key plays from No. 7 Georgia’s 45-31 win against No. 16 Nebraska in Tuesday’s Capital One Bowl.
Lynch rolls off McGowan’s pick
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ORLANDO, Fla. -- No. 7 Georgia fell short of its championship goal this season, but the Bulldogs still managed to finish the 2012 season with a flourish.
The Bulldogs rallied to beat No. 16 Nebraska 45-31 in Tuesday’s Capital One Bowl to clinch just the third season with 12 wins or more in program history and essentially guaranteed their first top-10 finish since 2007.
Let’s recap some of the highs and the few lows from Tuesday’s season-ending victory:
The Bulldogs rallied to beat No. 16 Nebraska 45-31 in Tuesday’s Capital One Bowl to clinch just the third season with 12 wins or more in program history and essentially guaranteed their first top-10 finish since 2007.
Let’s recap some of the highs and the few lows from Tuesday’s season-ending victory:
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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.